The Environmental and Genetic Approach for Life on Earth (EAGLE) project

The Transdisciplinary Research Integration Center (TRIC) advances the basic objectives under the umbrella of the Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS). The TRIC co-ordinates the development of novel fields of research within the Inter-University Research Institute Corporation of Japan. The TRIC program fosters integrated research and develops information platforms that support the quest for new paradigms in the fields of Earth science and life systems. The project, “Environmental and Genetic Approach for Life on Earth with a Study of Relevant Modeling and Prediction Techniques (EAGLE)” began under the TRIC program in 2005. The goal of the EAGLE project is to improve our understanding of ecosystems on Earth and to investigate the mechanisms leading to the evolution of life and the adaptation of species as a result of past environmental changes. The EAGLE project is also positioned as a national project of the “Microbiological and Ecological Responses to Global Environmental Changes in polar regions (MERGE) program”, so called, “MERGE-Japan” which was initiated as part of the International Polar Year (IPY, 2007–2008). A general outline of the current achievements and discussion of the EAGLE project during the IPY period are presented in this progress report.