We aim to improve medical science research standards at the international level, to increase new academic and scientific knowledge in medical science, to promote research and development of innovative medicines and medical technology, and to foster medical researchers and promote their wider exchange.
In addition, we are working toward the creation of new interdisciplinary research areas by opening up our research infrastructures and technologies, such as the latest results of genome analysis and regenerative medical technology, to all researchers both in Japan and abroad.
We invite proposals for international joint research in the following three joint research areas: (1) Development of Cutting Edge Medical Therapies, (2) Genome/Cancer/Disease Systems Biology, (3) Infectious Diseases and Immunology.
We look forward to the visits of researchers from various research institutes both in Japan and abroad, and to promoting the authorized projects, which will lead to the vitalization and development of international joint research.
1. Program Outline
The purpose of this program is to provide the opportunity for researchers outside IMSUT to conduct joint research with scientists at IMSUT as well as other various research institutes both in Japan and abroad, in the 3 research areas described below. For more information about our research areas, please visit the following webpages:
https://www.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp/imsut/en/lab/index.html
Successful applicants and project members are allowed the same access to IMSUT facilities as our faculty members. (Please consult with the IMSUT Host Researcher about the necessary procedure to use the facilities.)
(1) Development of Cutting Edge Medical Therapies:
As a center for promoting Translational Research (TR), IMSUT has energetically conducted basic research investigations and early clinical trials. Our main fields of study include the human genome, cancer, immunity, infectious diseases, and stem cell therapy.
In human genome research, we conduct advanced research on intractable diseases by analyzing gene information using supercomputers, aimed at development of genetic diagnostic technology and molecular targeted therapy. At the same time, we carry out basic research that is essential for the development of biology.
In the fields of cancer, immunity, and infectious diseases, in the collaboration with our affiliated Research Hospital, we aim to apply basic research results to clinical practice, as well as conduct basic research based on analysis of clinical trial results.
In stem cell therapy research, we aim to develop new therapies for intractable diseases by combining the results of basic research with the experience our affiliated Research Hospital has in ground-breaking advanced medical care.
In order to further promote our efforts to advance TR as described above, we invite proposals aimed at applying basic research results to clinical practice in collaboration with our affiliated Research Hospital.
(2) Genome/Cancer/Disease Systems Biology:
We invite innovative and ingenious proposals that connect basic research to medical care in the fields of genome, cancer, and disease systems.
In the field of genome research, we aim to realize innovative medicine and prevention of diseases by conducting research on the following topics.
- - development of advanced sequencer technology and analysis technology
- - development of genetic diagnostic technology that matches appropriate therapies to each patient
- - identification of new molecular markers for early diagnosis
- - development of new molecular targeted therapies
- - development of various databases based on genomic information (ex. a database that links genomic information with medical information)
- - chromosome distribution during cell division
- - intracellular signal transduction related to cell proliferation and differentiation
- - molecular mechanism of transcriptional control
- - significance of the breakdown of the above molecular processes in cancer
- - physiological cell adhesion
- - interaction of cells and stromal cells
- - cancer cell invasion
- - molecular mechanisms of metastasis
(3) Infectious Diseases and Immunology:
In Japan, problems such as emerging and re-emerging infections such as influenza virus, HIV, Shigella, pathogenic Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori, multidrug-resistant pathogens, nosocomial infections, etc. have become more serious, and society's interest and recognition regarding infectious diseases has increased rapidly. Due to the various factors such as globalization of human exchanges, global warming, and aging, there are concerns that infectious diseases will become increasingly serious in the future. Furthermore, sudden changes in our lifestyles and environments not only affect infectious diseases, but also lead to the rapid increases in allergic and autoimmune diseases caused by abnormal host responses.
Considering this background, we are conducting basic research investigations on infectious diseases and immune responses in the hosts, and we are also developing new vaccines and therapies based on the knowledge obtained from our findings.
We invite proposals that will lead to further research progress in this area, that can introduce new analytic technologies, and/or that applies these research systems to new pathogens and areas.
2. Eligibility
- The “Principal Investigator” must be a researcher at a university or public research institute outside Japan.
- The “IMSUT Host Researcher” must be a principal investigator at IMSUT.
- “Project Member(s)” must be researcher(s) inside and outside Japan. (Participation from multiple institutions is desirable.) Undergraduate (fourth year, or fifth year in six-year undergraduate programs) and graduate students are eligible to participate*. We look forward to the active participations of students as well as young scientists.
*Undergraduate as well as graduate students are required to enroll in personal accident insurance for students at their home university. Undergraduate students are also required to conduct experiments under the supervision of the host researcher or a faculty member of their home university.
3. Duration of Joint Research
The support period is one year, lasting from April 1, 2021 until March 31, 2022, as the accreditation period of this project will end in FY2021.
For multi-year joint research applications, the plans for both this fiscal year and the entire study period will be evaluated.
4. Application Procedure
The “Principal Investigator” is required to consult closely with the “IMSUT Host Researcher” and submit the “Application Form for FY2021 IMSUT International Joint Research Project” (Form 1) through the “IMSUT Host Researcher”.
“Report for IMSUT Domestic Joint Research Project” (Form 2) should also be submitted for the extension of any multi-year joint research project.
Please click the underlined “Form 1” and “Form 2” above to download the Word formats.
Please note that if the application is successful, we will ask the project members (except those who belong to IMSUT) to submit the “Statement of Compliance”.
5. Deadline
November 30th, 2020
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted regardless of the reason.
6. Submission of Application
The application should be submitted by the “IMSUT Host Researcher” to the Research Promotion Team (ken-jo[at]ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp) by email in Word format.
7. Notification of Selection Results
Applicants will be notified of the selection results through the “IMSUT Host Researcher” around late March, 2021.
If the application is successful, IMSUT will appoint the “Principal Investigator” and each “Project Member” as an “IMSUT Joint Research Project Researcher (JRP Researcher)”. We shall forgo a written notice of appointment, but will post the names of the appointed researchers to the website of IMSUT.
8. Research Funding
You can apply for up to 2,500,000 JPY per fiscal year in expenses to conduct the joint research. This aims to support the “Principal Investigator” and/or “Project Member(s)” with the travel expenses needed for coming to IMSUT, for the purpose of joint research only. Thus, the funding cannot be used for IMSUT faculty members’ travel, nor for other purposes such as attending academic symposia.
The funding can also be used for expendable supplies, but in that case, they need to be purchased by the “IMSUT Host Researcher” and should be used at IMSUT, for the specified joint research purpose only.
In the case the “Principal Investigator” and/or “Project Member(s)” cannot visit IMSUT due to the pandemic of COVID-19, we encourage the joint research activities without visits. Please consult closely with the “IMSUT Host Researcher” and conduct the joint research projects.
9. Submission of Report
After the end of FY2021, the “Report for IMSUT International Joint Research Project” (Project-completion Report) should be submitted in the prescribed format.
*All of the reports should be submitted to the Research Promotion Team through the “IMSUT Host Researcher”.
*Further details (the formats, the due date etc.) will be provided later.
*We will also ask you to fill out a questionnaire on this project. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.
*Please do not include any paper that does not include an acknowledgment for this project, in the case that member(s) of IMSUT are not among the authors.
10. Publishing of the Report
The “Report for IMSUT International Joint Research Project” will be published on the website of IMSUT. The report should be submitted with particular attention to matters related to intellectual property.
11. Submitting Scientific Papers
When a scientific paper is to be published with the support of this project, it should contain an acknowledgment of the project's support.
- Project Name: International Joint Usage/Research Center
- Example Sentence of an Acknowledgment: This study was supported (partly) by a Grant from International Joint Usage/Research Center, the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo.
12. Intellectual Property Rights
In principle, the attribution of intellectual property rights should be determined by consultation between the institutions concerned, considering the contributions of each researcher and institution.
13. Contacts
Research Promotion Team, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639
Tel：03-5449-5751 Fax：03-6409-2017 E-mail: ken-jo[at]ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp