Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) conducted a Concurrent Call for Proposals regarding “The Use of Next Generation Optical Microscopy for Neuroscience Disease Challenges” as a research field of “Advanced Health Research” in collaboration with the Medical Research Council (MRC) *1 in the UK.
The newly-selected projects for the Japan-UK Cooperative Scientific Research Program*2, as part of the FY 2014 Strategic International Research Cooperative Program (SICP) *3 are as follows:
(1) Single molecule imaging of synaptic protein dynamics in neurodegeneration
In this project, we will try to unravel the mechanism by which synaptic structural plasticity is modulated in neurodegenerative diseases, using ultrafast single-molecule imaging techniques developed by us
Japanese-side Principal Investigator (PI):Akihiro Kusumi, Professor, Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University
The UK-side Principal Investigator (PI):Giovanna Mallucci, Professor, Programme Leader, Toxicology Unit, Medical Research Council
(2) Investigation of cortical memory circuits in normal and disease model mice using synaptic optogenetics
This project will develop new optogenetic technologies that can label and visualize cortical memory circuits, and is expected to unravel the mechanism of synaptic plasticity deficits in Schizophrenia and Intellectual Disability.
Japanese-side Principal Investigator (PI):Haruo Kasai, Professor, Structural Physiology, The University of Tokyo
The UK-side Principal Investigator (PI):Kevin Fox, Professor, Neuroscience, Cardiff University
In this Call, two projects were selected out of 8 submitted proposals, in an evaluation carried out by committees of experts independently selected by JST and MRC. The decision on funding was made jointly by JST and MRC, considering factors such as validity of research plan and effectiveness of exchange. The period of research will be three years, starting in May 2014.
*1The Medical Research Council (MRC)
Refer to: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/index.htm
*2The Japan-UK Cooperative Scientific Research Program
Based on an agreement made at the 8th Japan-UK Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation Meeting, which was held in London in Nov. 2011, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) decided “Advanced Health Research” as the field of collaborative research between Japan and the UK. Thereafter, in applying the joint funding between JST and MRC, “The Use of Next Generation Optical Microscopy for Neuroscience Disease Challenges” was selected as a priority area of their collaboration and this joint call.
*3Strategic International Research Cooperative Program (SICP)
SICP is a "top-down type" of program that provides support to international research projects with countries and regions, in fields of cooperation designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) on the basis of intergovernmental agreements.
Refer to: http://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/project/purpose.html
Appendix
1: The selected projects for the Japan-UK Research Cooperative Program in FY 2014
2: Overview of the Japan-UK Research Cooperative Program and its Evaluation
For further information
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
Department of International Affairs
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Tokyo 102-0076 Japan
(Daiji NAKA (Dr.))
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