The International Student Seminar gathered young researchers in the Life Science field from across the world to discuss recent advances. The aims of the seminar were for the participants to obtain new knowledge and to make friends and acquaintances, and to improve their English and communication skills by sharing their research topics with researchers from different countries and different backgrounds. The Symposium was attended by a panel of senior Japanese and international scientists, an included final day presentations from Ken-ichi Noma, Wistar Institute, Jim Haseloff, University of Cambridge and Kalle Saksela, University of Helsinki.