World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
Selected Projects
| Host institution | Center name | Center Director | Outline of the Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tohoku University/ Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology |
Advanced Institute for Marine Ecosystem Change (WPI-AIMEC) | SUGA Toshio | Elucidate and project the response and adaptation mechanisms of marine ecosystems to Earth system dynamics WPI-AIMEC will elucidate the response and adaptation mechanisms of marine ecosystems to Earth system dynamics and realize advanced projection of marine ecosystem change through fusional approaches that integrate marine physics, ecology, and mathematical information science. Consequently, a new academic field, “Ocean-Ecosystem Change Systematics (OECS)” will be established, contributing to “Planetary Stewardship” for the restoration and recovery of the marine environment and ecosystems. |
| Host institution | Center name | Center Director | Outline of the Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka University | Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine (PRIMe) |
NISHIDA Kohji | Comprehensive understanding of human disease mechanisms and realization of ultra-personalized medicine by utilizing biodigital twins PRIMe integrates "human organoid-based biomedical science" and "information and mathematical sciences" to develop biodigital twins that reproduce biological phenomena occurring in human organs. By doing so, PRIMe will create a new scientific field "human metaverse medicine" aiming to elucidate mechanisms of human diseases, predict their onset, progression, and treatment responses, and develop personalized preventive and curative treatments. |
| Hiroshima University | International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (SKCM²) |
Ivan I. Smalyukh | Artificial knotted matter overcoming limitations of natural systems for sustainability We create artificial analogs of fundamental particles, atoms, crystals and materials with unusual properties by controlling knots in physical fields and molecules. We aim to deepen understanding of natural phenomena through creating their pre-designed analogs, as well as help solve the Global problems of growing energy demand & climate change by designing matter with unusual, highly desirable material properties. |
| Keio University | Human Biology-Microbiome-Quantum Research Center (Bio2Q) |
HONDA Kenya | Integrating human biology, microbiome research, and quantum computing to explore the foundations of healthy longevity Bio2Q will develop novel research techniques to understand the interactions between multiple organs and the microbiome, and develop methods to apply quantum computing to human biology. Our mission is to forge a new interdisciplinary research area that elucidates the regulatory mechanisms sustaining human health. In the long term, we will develop new prophylactic/therapeutic approaches to promote healthy longevity. |
| Host institution | Center name | Center Director | Outline of the Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) | International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP) |
HAZUMI Masashi | QUP integrates particle physics, astrophysics, condensed matter physics, measurement science, and systems science We will invent and develop new systems for measuring quantum fields, bring innovation in cosmological observations and particle experiments, and discover the true nature of space-time and matter. We will also cultivate applications to various academic fields and social implementation. Our goal is to establish "quantum field measurement systemology." |
| Host institution | Center name | Center Director | Outline of the Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido University | Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (ICReDD) |
MAEDA Satoshi | In-depth understanding and efficient development of chemical reactions The ICReDD uses state-of-the-art reaction path search methods based on quantum chemical calculations and applies concepts of information science in order to extract meaningful information for experiments, thus narrowing down optimal experimental conditions. This approach enables “pinpointing” promising experiments. |
| Kyoto University | Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi) | SAITOU Mitinori | What key biological traits make us ‘human’, and how can knowing these lead us to better cures for disease? ASHBi investigates the core concepts of human biology with a particular focus on genome regulation and disease modeling, creating a foundation of knowledge for developing innovative and unique human-centric therapies. |
| Host institution | Center name | Center Director | Outline of the Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tokyo | International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN) | Hensch Takao | Tackling the ultimate question – "How does human intelligence arise?" The IRCN aims to (1) elucidate fundamental principles of neural circuit maturation, (2) understand the emergence of psychiatric disorders underlying impaired human intelligence (HI), and (3) drive the development of next-generation AI based on these principles and function of multimodal neuronal connections in the brain. |
| Kanazawa University | Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI) |
FUKUMA Takeshi | Understanding nanoscale mechanisms of life phenomena by exploring “uncharted nano-realms” Cells are the basic units of almost all life forms. We are developing nanoprobe technologies that allow direct imaging, analysis, and manipulation of the behavior and dynamics of important macromolecules in living organisms, such as proteins and nucleic acids, at the surface and interior of cells. We aim at acquiring a fundamental understanding of the various life phenomena at the nanoscale. |
WPI Academy
| Host institution | Center name | Center Director | Outline of the Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tsukuba | International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (IIIS) |
YANAGISAWA Masashi | World-class institute for sleep medicine, aiming to solve the mechanism of sleep/wakefulness by conducting basic to clinical research The mission of IIIS is to be a multidisciplinary, international hub for the research to elucidate the fundamental mechanism of sleep/wakefulness, to develop strategies to regulate sleep, and to contribute to enhancement of world health through the combat with sleep disorders and associated diseases. |
| Tokyo Institute of Technology | Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) |
SEKINE Yasuhito | Globally-Advanced Interdisciplinary Research Hub for Exploring the Origins of Earth and Life ELSI focuses the origins of Earth and life. Both studies are inseparable because life should have originated in unique environment on the early Earth. To accomplish our challenge, we establish a world-leading interdisciplinary research hub by gathering excellent researchers in Earth and planetary sciences, life science, and related fields. |
| Nagoya University | Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM) |
YOSHIMURA Takashi | Changing the world with molecules: Synthetic Chemistry and Plant/Animal Biology The goal of ITbM is to develop innovative functional molecules that make a marked change in the form and nature of biological science and technology (transformative bio-molecules). By merging synthetic chemistry, catalysis chemistry, systems biology, and plant/animal science, which are the strengths of Nagoya University, we aim to create cutting-edge science with potentially significant societal impact. |
| Host institution | Center name | Center Director | Outline of the Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyushu University | International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I²CNER) |
ISHIHARA Tatsumi | Contribute to the creation of a sustainable and environmentally friendly society I²CNER's broad-based approach cuts across the boundaries of chemistry, physics, materials science, mechanics, geoscience, and biomimetics bridging multi-dimensional spatial and temporal scales for phenomena occurring at the interface between materials and hydrogen, oxygen, and CO2. |
| Host institution | Center name | Center Director | Outline of the Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tohoku University | Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR) |
ORIMO Shin-ichi | Establish a World-Leading Research Center for Materials Science AIMR aims to contribute to society through actions as a world-leading research center for materials science and continuous challenges to research frontiers. To this end, the institute gathers excellent researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and mathematics and provides world-class research environment. |
| The University of Tokyo | Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU) |
YOKOYAMA Jun'ichi | Cross-Disciplinary Research Center for Addressing the Origin and Evolution of the Universe Establishing a top-level research center visible worldwide for the most urgent issues of basic science such as dark energy, dark matter, and unified theories with a close collaboration of mathematics, physics and astronomy. |
| Kyoto University | Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) | UESUGI Motonari | Creating a new field of integrated cell-material science in the mesoscopic domain Our institute seeks to illuminate a chemical basis of cells, creating compounds to control processes in cells such as stem cells (materials for cell control) in addition to sparking cellular processes to create chemical materials (cell-inspired materials), to ultimately establish an integrated cell-material science. |
| Osaka University | Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) |
TAKEDA Kiyoshi | The pursue of fundamental immunology research and elucidation of immune diseases IFReC has selected excellent researchers from Japan and overseas in cutting-edge research areas, and has promoted globally competitive fundamental research. IFReC aims to overcome immune-related diseases by clarifying the whole picture of the immune system. |
| National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) | Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) |
TANIGUCHI Takashi | Materials Nanoarchitectonics – a new paradigm of materials creation – MANA aims to develop new materials based on our own concept "nanoarchitectonics" through precise organization of well-designed nanomaterials at atomic/molecular scale. For such an interdisciplinary and pioneering challenge, international cooperation and training / fostering of next-generation leaders are essentially important to generate sustainable growth of related research in the future. |