Call for Proposal
Basic information of the Research Area
[Biological Functions]Understanding and Designing Biological Functions
Research Supervisor
Masahito IkawaProfessor, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, The University of Osaka
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
Linked to the page of the National Diet Library Web Archiving Project (WARP).
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.
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 | Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University |
| 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 |
| Osamu Takeuchi | Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University |
| Masao Doi | Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University |
| Takeharu Nagai | Vice Director, Proffser, SANKEN, The University of Osaka |
| Michitaka Notaguchi | Professor, Department of Botany, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University |
| Takeshi Bamba | Professor, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University |
| Takema Fukatsu | Prime Senior Researcher, Molecular Biosystems Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) |
| Akira Funahashi | Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University |
| Tomoji Mashimo | Professor, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo |
Schedule of Selection Process
| Deadline for application | 2025/05/27 at 12:00 noon, Japan time |
|---|---|
| Document-based review | Late June – Middle of July |
| JST will contact to the interviewees no later than | Early July - Late July |
| Interview-based review（ONLINE） ※Interview date and time will be assigned by JST. |
Middle of July – Early August |
Research Supervisor's Policy
Research Supervisor's Policy of this Research Area can be downloaded from below.
【Research Supervisor’s Message】
We are hoping that young researchers in different fields can build a relationship where they can discuss casually, saying “I have something new” and “Let me try it” and so on. We welcome research proposals aimed at promoting interdisciplinary research through a cycle of discoveries and inventions, and giving back to society with satisfying their own intellectual curiosity.