Initiatives to Develop Prominent Research

Kumamoto University has established three support schemes—the Globally-advanced Research, the Cross-Frontier Research Project, and the WAKABA Research Project —to develop and support projects from their early stages through to interdisciplinary research and ultimately to world-class research.

Kumamoto University Challenging Research Projects - WAKABA Research Projects -

The WAKABA Research Projects supports free, challenging, and interdisciplinary research topics by young researchers that are not bound by existing frameworks.

Project	Project Leader
Left-right asymmetry initiated by a large-scale cell flow prior to node formation	ASAI Rieko
Identification of transcription factors defining the epigenomic state of senescent cells	ETO Kan
Establishment and Evaluation of Novel Biomarkers for Dementia Prevention	KAJITANI Naoto
New Science for Creating High-Performance Polar Materials Based on Dynamic Electronic States	SEKINE Yoshihiro
Elucidation of the molecular mechanism and physiological significance of "histone mimicry"	TAKASHIMA Ken
Ex vivo expansion of physiological and clinically applicable human macrophages	TAKAHASHI Naofumi
Development of innovative cancer therapy targeting intestinal immunity using the live bacterial product, Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI 588 strain	TOMITA Yusuke
Development of oxygen ion conducting nanosheets and its properties	HATAKEYAMA Kazuto
Investigating the Molecular Mechanism of Atherosclerosis Suppression via Vascular Function Regulation by the Down Syndrome Gene and Its Potential as a Drug Target	FUNASAKI Shintaro
Regulatory mechanisms of lineage-specific macrophages drive aging of the cardiovascular system	LIU Norika

Cross Frontier Research Project

The Cross Frontier Research Project supports basic research by research teams aiming to create new value and achieve breakthroughs by incorporating findings and methodologies from different research areas. This project provides two-year funding for Project A, which focuses on semiconductors, and Project B, which is an open research theme.

Project A	Project Member
Development of Temperature Digital Twin Utilizing Semiconductor	ARIMA Yuichiro LIU Norika UMEMOTO Terumasa MOMOSE Takeshi WAKEJIMA Akio TODA Masashi NAKASHIMA Yuta
Measuring deep body temperature using a semiconductor chip inside a cell	OHKAWA Takeshi IIDA Masahiro KUBOKI Takeshi MOMOSE Ken TAKIZAWA Hitoshi ASAI Rieko MIHARADA Kenichi
Formation of in vitro tumor model based on cell morphology processing technique applying semiconductor processing technique and application to pathology elucidation	NAKASHIMA Yuta IWATSUKI Masaaki FUJIWARA Yukio YANO Hiromu
Point-of-Care Device for Early Detection of Esophageal Cancer Using Soft Palate AI Image Analysis Technology	TANAKA Yasuhito AMAGASAKI Motoki NAGAOKA Katsuya KIYAMA Masato WAKI Kotaro

Project B	Project Member
Exploring the biomarkers of Sports Fatigue by Measuring Modified Nucleosides in Urine and Association with Competition quality	NAGAYOSHI Yu SUENAGA Yusuke
Application Studies for Social Implementation of Mosquito Habitat and Plant Life Environment Correlation Model Based on GIS Technology	YONEJIMA Mayuko WATANABE Takashi SUGIMURA Koji SHINZATO Akito
Development of AI models for species fruit and insect indentation classification in archaeology	Mendonca dos Santos Israel OBATA Hiroki

Group for Globally-advanced Research

Nanosheet Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Production

IDA Shintaro, Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials

The Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials (IINa) is focused on the development of functional two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials and surface/grain boundary materials created under extreme conditions. IINa maintains the only explosion testing facility in Japan and an exceptional pulsed power testing facility, and is highly experienced at creating materials under extreme conditions. 2D nanomaterials have attracted significant worldwide attention due to their excellent material properties, and it is expected that to be that an entirely new industries will be established. Professor Shintaro Ida’s research investigates functional 2D materials with a thickness of only one nm (one billionth of a meter) at the molecular level. His work focuses on the functional materials and application of the two-dimensional nanosheets synthesized from various elements of the periodic table. He is also investigating special structures that can be created using 2D materials but not with ordinary materials. Since nanosheets are obtained by exfoliating layered materials, Dr. Ida says that it is possible to impart various properties into the nanomaterials, such as electrical conductivity, semiconductor properties, or the ability for protons and ions to pass through the material. Currently, he is concentrating on semiconductor nanosheets with photocatalyst functionality, i.e., breaking water into hydrogen and oxygen using only sunlight. Since hydrogen does not emit CO2 when burned, it can be used as a fuel to help reduce CO2 emissions. Now however, fossil fuels are the main source of hydrogen so the discovery of an effective photocatalyst could lead to the development of an energy system independent of fossil fuels.

International Research Enhancement Project for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental
Medicine

NAKAMURA Akira, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics

The International Advanced Research Σ Project at IMEG is dedicated to advancing the fields of developmental medicine and stem cell biology, while strengthening the institute’s global presence. We are dedicated to conducting comprehensive research, ranging from elucidating the fundamental principles of development biology to exploring medical applications. We promote the activities of the High-Depth Omics Research Center, established in 2022, and also prioritize the training of young researchers in this field.
We provide specialized support for single-cell RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, mass spectrometry, and data analysis through our team of skilled professionals at the Research Support Facility within IMEG. To foster productive discussion within our institute, we regularly organize monthly Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) roundtable discussions and information exchange sessions every month. Through these interactions, we stay abreast of the latest technologies and trends in NGS analysis.
Beyond the confines of your institute, we actively disseminate our research findings and seek international collaborations, leveraging our extensive research network. To this end, we generously support young researchers in presenting their work at international conferences and co-organizing workshops and symposiums at national academic meetings. We even offer partial support for publication fees and open access costs for papers where young researchers take the lead as first authors or corresponding authors.
In the fiscal year 2023, we have extended invitations to researchers affiliated with collaborative research centers to attend a retreat at Aso. This retreat serves as a platform for young researchers to exchange research outcomes and foster lasting connections. Through these initiatives, we aim to enhance information sharing and strengthen a robust network for cutting-edge research.

International Research Center Aiming at the Control of AIDS

UENO Takamasa, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection

Over 35 million people are still living with HIV-1 infection, and nearly two million people die of AIDS-related illnesses each year in the world. In addition, among developed countries, our country has been experiencing increased incidences of HIV-1 infection. Thus, HIV/AIDS remains a substantial threat to the global health, and developing an HIV vaccine and therapies to cure HIV/AIDS have still been a global challenge. New program “International Research Center Aiming at the control of AIDS” intends to enhance and expand international research and education core based on the framework of the successfully implemented global COE “Global Education and Research Center Aiming at the Control of AIDS” Program over the five years. To do this, we reorganize our mission to make a substantial effort to research studies leading to the development of (1) new therapies to cure HIV/AIDS and (2) an HIV/AIDS
vaccine. Also, in collaboration with the newly reformed Educational Program for Advanced Research in Infectious Diseases and AIDS, this program intends to enhance capacity-building opportunities, and thereby junior-level scientists and graduate students can be self-standing and globally visible. Collectively, we will contribute to constructing a distinguishable platform that fosters leading-edge research and education in HIV/AIDS field through our expanding intercontinental academic/education partnerships.

International Research Core for Advanced Magnesium Alloys

KAWAMURA Yoshihito, Magnesium Research Center

Currently there is a high demand in the transportation industry for light-weight structural components to reduce both energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Magnesium is the lightest structural metal and Mg alloys are now used in a wide range of applications for structural and functional benefits. In addition, biodegradable Mg biomedical devices can provide impactful benefits for people’s well-being.
The Magnesium Research Center (MRC) at Kumamoto University, established in December 2011, has been engaging in various Mg-related research endeavours including alloy and process design, physical metallurgy fundamentals, mechanical metallurgy, corrosion, surface treatment, and recycling. The MRC has developed several advanced new generation Mg alloys that have an excellent balance of mechanical performance, non-flammability, and corrosion resistance under the “KUMADAI Mg” name. The MRC has three key goals, (1) provide state-of-the-art research and education, (2) help the development and use of KUMADAI Mg alloys into actual applications, and (3) establish a global research network to significantly enhance collaboration with universities, research institutes, and industries from around the world.