Tsuneko Okazaki, co-discoverer of Okazaki fragments in DNA replication, dies at 93
In short
Tsuneko Okazaki (岡崎恒子), a Nagoya University distinguished professor who discovered the mechanism of gene replication, died of gastrointestinal bleeding on September 22 at the age of 93, the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (東海国立大学機構) announced on October 9. With her late husband Reiji, she discovered the "Okazaki fragments" formed during DNA replication in 1967, and in 1983 she became Nagoya University's first female professor. The funeral was held with close relatives only.
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Tsuneko Okazaki (岡崎恒子), a distinguished professor at Nagoya University who discovered the mechanism of gene replication, has died of gastrointestinal bleeding, the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (東海国立大学機構) announced on October 9. She was 93 and a native of Nagoya. She died on September 22, and the funeral was held with close relatives only. [ 1 , 2 ]
In 1967, together with her late husband Reiji, she discovered the "Okazaki fragments", small fragments formed during DNA replication, clarifying a mechanism tied to the root of life, the reports said. [ 1 , 2 ]
In 1983 she became Nagoya University's first female professor. She later served as professor emeritus and held posts including distinguished honorary professor at Fujita Health University. She received the Order of Culture in 2021. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Three outlets, including two tier-1 national papers, carried the death notice on the same day it was announced by the university organisation. The reports frame her 1967 discovery with her husband as clarifying a mechanism at the root of life and note that she received the Order of Culture in 2021 and was Nagoya University's first female professor.
Key facts
- Tsuneko Okazaki, Nagoya University distinguished professor, died of gastrointestinal bleeding at 93; the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System announced the death on October 9. [ 1 , 2 ]
- She died on September 22 and the funeral was held with close relatives only. [ 1 , 2 ]
- She was born in Nagoya. [ 1 , 2 ]
- In 1967, together with her late husband Reiji, she discovered the "Okazaki fragments", small fragments formed during DNA replication. [ 1 , 2 ]
- In 1983 she became Nagoya University's first female professor. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- She later served as professor emeritus and held posts including distinguished honorary professor at Fujita Health University. [ 1 , 2 ]
- She received the Order of Culture in 2021. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Tsuneko Okazaki, Nagoya University distinguished professor and the university's first female professor, has died. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The cause of death was gastrointestinal bleeding; she was 93. [ 1 , 2 ]
- She died on September 22; the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System announced the death on October 9. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The funeral was held with close relatives only. [ 1 , 2 ]
- With her late husband Reiji she discovered the Okazaki fragments in 1967. [ 1 , 2 ]
- She became Nagoya University's first female professor in 1983. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- She received the Order of Culture in 2021. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Where she died. The documents give her birthplace as Nagoya and the announcing organisation, but do not state where she died.