Temperature is a parameter omnipresent in all environments, influencing every chemical reaction and physical phenomenon, playing a decisive role in the survival and evolution of organisms. Beyond recent human-induced global warming, it goes without saying that temperature fluctuations throughout history have consistently exerted profound impacts on ecosystems. Despite this significance, the mechanisms of temperature's effects on living organisms remained enigmatic for centuries. The discovery of temperature-sensitive TRP channels in 1997 marked a pivotal turning point, enabling us now to explain temperature responses and adaptations in various organisms at molecular and neural circuit levels.

 

Traditional research has primarily focused on elucidating phenomena where organisms are "governed by temperature," exemplified by temperature perception via TRP channels. However, we are increasingly recognizing that organisms also possess the ability to actively "govern (utilize) temperature." Fever in immune responses and the thermal bee balls formed by Japanese honeybees represent examples of heat production being utilized for defense, while temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles and diapause determination in insects illustrate strategic incorporation of environmental temperature for survival. Furthermore, animal hibernation offers various physiological benefits beyond cold avoidance, prompting exploration of applications in medicine and space ventures. Recent reports of temperature heterogeneity within cells and tissues suggest that temperature may function as a signal transducing factor. Temperature research in life sciences is now experiencing unprecedented momentum.

 

The “Temperature and Biology Forum” was established as a social place to explore the diverse relationships between temperature and organisms across unrestricted themes—from animal, plant, and microbiology to ecology, environmental science, evolution, and even chemistry and physics. Our objective is to gain new insights and ideas by examining biological phenomena from a temperature perspective. We anticipate that this meeting will serve as a "melting pot" for temperature research, fostering the emergence of novel research fields from our collective efforts. We look forward to your participation.