[Life and Information] Life and Information

Strategic Objective

Research innovation through autonomous-driven research systems

Measuring resilience of life — Discovery and exploration of unknown biological response mechanisms

Development of innovative cell manipulation technologies and elucidation of cellular regulatory mechanisms

Elucidation of the mechanisms relating to changes in biological robustness associated with aging and control of age-related diseases

Toward scientific discoveries through DX in life science research

Integrated understanding of human multi-sensing networks and elucidation of their control mechanisms

Design of plant-derived molecules building up the foundation for plant synthetic biology

Functional dynamics in the cell

Research Supervisor

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Yuji Sugita(Chief Scientist, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research)

Overview

 Life sciences play a pivotal role not only in contributing to drug discovery and medical advancements for a healthy and long-lived society but also as a foundation for biotechnology essential for realizing a sustainable socio-economic environment. Recent research in life sciences has increasingly utilized information science, incorporating simulations based on physical models, theoretical approaches, and machine learning/AI with big data, alongside traditional experimental methods. The cultivation of researchers proficient in both life sciences and information science is urgently needed. It is imperative to support and nurture outstanding young researchers with innovative ideas spanning both research fields.
 In this Research Area, we aim to integrate the two key concepts of life and information, with a focus on fostering innovative research in life sciences utilizing information science. Our goal is to innovate research that involves machine learning/AI with big data, mathematical science, physical model-based simulations, and other information science. The diverse data dealt with in advancing research encompasses not only data generated from unique experimental results but also data obtained through collaborations and public databases. The research subjects include fundamental life sciences, for example, molecular and cellular biology, and biophysics, as well as applied challenges in drug discovery, medical sciences, and biotechnology.
 In implementing research, we prioritize the development of researchers and emphasize the establishment of platforms for interaction and mutual inspiration among young researchers from different research areas. Furthermore, efforts are actively made to build a broad human network that will facilitate future collaborations among researchers.
 This Research Area participates in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)’s Advanced Integrated Intelligence Platform Project on Artificial Intelligence/Big Data/IoT/Cybersecurity (AIP Project).

Research Area Advisors

Kazuhiro Aoki Professor, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University
Sachiko Isobe Professor, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
Shuichi Onami Team Leader, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
Hiroyuki Ogata Professor, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University
Akio Kitao Professor, School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo
Kiyoko F. Aoki-Kinoshita Deputy Director & Professor, Glycan and Life Systems Integration Center, Soka University
Teppei Shimamura Professor, Medical Research Laboratory, Institute of Science Tokyo
Kaoru Sugimura Associate Professor, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo
Kentaro Tomii Team Leader, Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
Ryuichiro Nakato Associate Professor, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo
Takatsugu Hirokawa Professor, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba
Kenji Mizuguchi Professor, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University

Research Projects

  1. Year Started : 2024

Quick Access

Program

  • CREST
  • PRESTO
  • ERATO
  • ACT-X
  • ALCA
  • CRONOS
  • AIP Network Lab
  • Global Activities
  • Diversity
  • SDGs
  • OSpolicy
  • Yuugu
  • Questions