The Garden Experiment

In this project, we will collaborate with the Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR Microbiomes) and the Miyazaki Lab, Biomanufacturing Process Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). Using a citizen science approach, we will conduct joint research on microorganisms over a period of approximately two years.

At the kickoff event on Saturday, October 11, we will welcome everyone who is willing to participate in this project as citizen scientists. We will explain the project in detail, share information about the experiment, and distribute the kits that will be used in the research.

For more details about the project, please see here.

How to Participate

Please register via the Google Form by October 9, 2025. (Limited to the first 100 participants.)
Contact: misaflab@science-art-matsudo.net

■Eligibility Requirements for Participation

To join this project, you must:
・Have a garden or field where plants or crops are being cultivated
・Be able to leave a section of soil untouched for 6 weeks
・Have a space of at least 1m × 1m (pots, planters, or artificial soil are not eligible)
・Be able to receive and return the experiment kit in Matsudo City or nearby Tokyo area
・Be able to photograph the experiment process using a camera or smartphone and submit the data

Note: If you have multiple locations with different plants or crops, you may conduct experiments at each site.
(Example: You can run separate experiments for tomatoes and cucumbers in their respective areas)

Kick-off Event Overview

Date: Saturday, 11 October 2025
Time: Session ① 11:00–13:00 / Session ② 14:00–16:00, Doors open 30 minutes before each session
Venue: Shoun-tei (Located inside Tojogaoka Historical Park)

Participation Details
■Fee: Free of charge
■Capacity: 40 participants per session (on a first-come, first-served basis)
■Registration Form:
https://forms.gle/p4JYCei4axPxPTjH9
Further details about the event will be sent after registration

Kickoff Event Organisers: Matsudo International Science Art Festival and the Science & Technology Office Tokyo, Embassy of Switzerland in Japan
Research & Development Team: NCCR Microbiomes, Miyazaki Lab, Biomanufacturing Process Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), MISAF Lab, Science & Technology Office Tokyo, Embassy of Switzerland in Japan
Funding Support: Sakae Stünzi Foundation
Sponsors: Seibutsu Giken Co., Ltd., B-Tech Co., Ltd., Mukashi no Ta hi Co., Ltd.
In cooperation with: Matsudo City