Strategic Objective
Challenging to create suprabiological tissue
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
Masahito Ikawa
Professor, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, The University of Osaka
Overview
This Research Area aims to “deepen understanding of biological functions through innovative ideas and technologies” and “evolution of ingenious design of biological functions based on understandings”, bring virtuous cycles through the synergistic effects of both, and create results that lead to innovation and revolution in life science research fields.
Specifically, research on “understanding biological functions” includes the discovery and elucidation of functions through unprecedented high-resolution or high-sensitivity observation, measurement, profiling, etc. Additionally, research on “designing biological functions” includes genome editing technology and its advanced developments, or modification of biological functions by functional molecules, or the creating new biological functions.
The target biological functions are gene expression, protein synthesis, modification, metabolism, degradation, information transmission within and between cells and tissues, reproduction, development, differentiation, regeneration, aging, immunity, biological defense, symbiosis, memory, learning, and biological rhythms. The target organisms are not restricted to animals, but also include plants, microorganisms and others. In other words, there are no restrictions on the research targets, but research must be challenging and based on unprecedented, innovative ideas and technologies.
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, active efforts are made to build a broad human network that will facilitate future collaborations among researchers.
Specifically, research on “understanding biological functions” includes the discovery and elucidation of functions through unprecedented high-resolution or high-sensitivity observation, measurement, profiling, etc. Additionally, research on “designing biological functions” includes genome editing technology and its advanced developments, or modification of biological functions by functional molecules, or the creating new biological functions.
The target biological functions are gene expression, protein synthesis, modification, metabolism, degradation, information transmission within and between cells and tissues, reproduction, development, differentiation, regeneration, aging, immunity, biological defense, symbiosis, memory, learning, and biological rhythms. The target organisms are not restricted to animals, but also include plants, microorganisms and others. In other words, there are no restrictions on the research targets, but research must be challenging and based on unprecedented, innovative ideas and technologies.
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, active efforts are made to build a broad human network that will facilitate future collaborations among researchers.
Research Area Advisors
| Hiroshi Asahara | Professor, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Tohru Ishitani | Professor, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, The University of Osaka |
| Noriko Osumi | Exective Director, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) |
| Sadao Ota | Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo |
| Yuki Okada | Professor, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo |
| Shinsuke Sando | Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo |
| Akiko Takahashi | Chief, Division of Cellular Senescence, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research / Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo |
| Osamu Takeuchi | Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University |
| Masao Doi | Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University |
| Takeharu Nagai | Professor & Director, SANKEN, The University of Osaka |
| Michitaka Notaguchi | Professor, Department of Botany, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University |
| Takeshi Bamba | Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka |
| Takema Fukatsu | Prime Senior Researcher, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) / Professor, The University of Tokyo / Professor, University of Tsukuba |
| Akira Funahashi | Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University |
| Tomoji Mashimo | Professor, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo |
