Type: INT 98-02 NSF/Tokyo Report: Biomedical Engineering and
Biomaterials in Japan

Org: INT

Date: 1/14/98

Replaces: None

The National Science Foundation\'s offices in Tokyo and in Paris
periodically report on developments abroad that are related to the
Foundation\'s mission. These documents present facts for the use of NSF
program managers and policy makers; they are not statements of NSF
policy.

# Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials in Japan

*David W. Grainger*, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Department of
Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1872,
prepared the following report. *Dr. Grainger* visited Japan from October
23-December 23, 1997 as a Visiting Research Fellow (short-term) under
the sponsorship of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
(JSPS). Professor Teruo Okano, Institute of Biomedical Engineering,
Toyko Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada, Shinjuku 162, Japan served
as host scientist for *Dr. Grainger*. *Dr. Grainger* may be reached via
email at: grainger@lamar.colostate.edu.

1\. Outline of academic activities

Prof. Okano (host) is internationally recognized as a leader in
biomaterials and biointerfacial engineering for biotechnology
applications. This is also my research area, although my work is much
less applied than most found here in this lab. Prof. Okano has a large,
interdisciplinary research group (nearly 25 people) who have scientific
talents in a number of areas peripheral to my own that would benefit me
to learn. Together, Okano's applied polymer and biomaterials research
and my own basic materials chemistry research approaches are well suited
for complementary interactions and thus the basis for this invitation
and an already-established relationship. My visit to this lab presented
a multitude of new scientific opportunities, both to meet with his large
group of researchers for detailed discussions as well as to conduct some
preliminary studies in his lab using his equipment and methods. We have
produced data on an entirely new concept in tissue engineering using
cells and biomaterials. Over the course of my two-month stay, I was also
able to meet with one postdoctoral researcher, four assistant professors
and one associate professor in Okano's group and talk informally for one
hour each about our research. I also conducted 30-minute discussions
with each graduate student and one undergraduate doing research in this
lab. Many daily informal scientific discussions and scientific sharing
in the lab with many group members supplemented these formal occasions.
I was able to learn all the technical details necessary to take home new
surface chemistry techniques and new ideas for my own research
interests. Importantly, Prof. Okano and I have continued an already
long-standing, enjoyable, mutually beneficial international scientific
relationship that will result in on-going exchanges of ideas, science
and people.

Additionally, I participated in the following scientific exchange
activities:

• 10/28-29/1997: International Conference on Tissue Engineering, Tokyo

[Research presentations in Japan during JSPS Fellowship:]{.underline}

• 10/27/1997: research seminar, Showa-Denko Co. Ltd, Chiba

• 11/5-6/1997: research seminar, Prof. Y. Osada, Department of Applied
Physics, University of Hokkaido, Sapporo

• 11/10/1997: research seminar, Prof. Kukofuta, Department of Applied
Biochemistry, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki

• 11/11/1997: research seminar, Nippon Oil and Fats Co. Ltd., Tsukuba
Corporate Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki

• 11/11/1997: research seminar, Japanese Research Center for Atom
Technology, Dr. T. Ishida, Tsukuba, Ibaraki

• 11/17/1997: research seminar, Prof. T. Okano, Institute of Biomedical
Engineering, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo

• 11/18/1997: research seminar, Dr. T. Matsuda, National Cardiovascular
Research Institute, Osaka

• 11/21/1997: research seminar, Prof. A. Takahara, Department of
Chemistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka

• 12/1/1997: visit to Dr. Edward Murdy, Director, NSF-Tokyo,
Roppongi,Tokyo,

• 12/2/1997: research seminar, Prof. N. Ogata, University Colloqium,
Sophia University, Tokyo

• 12/3/1997: research seminar, Prof. T. Akaike, Center for
Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuda campus, Kanagawa

• 12/4/1997: research seminar, Dr. O. Albrecht, Central R&D, Canon
Research Center, Canon Inc., Atsugi, Kanagawa

• 12/5/1997: attended NSF-Tokyo American scientist reception, American
Embassy, Roppongi, Tokyo

• 12/11/1997: research seminar, Dr. M. Miyajima, Zeiga Pharmaceutical
Company, Oshiriki, Chiba

• 12/12/1997: attended JSPS International Reception, Tokyo

• 12/15/1997: research seminar, Prof. K. Kataoka, Institute for
Biosciences, Science University of Tokyo, Chiba

• 12/17/1997: research seminar, Prof. M. Morimoto, School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, Saitama

2\. Impressions and thoughts on the present state of science in Japan in
biomedical materials and biointerfaces

Because of pressing clinical needs, Japanese researchers are very active
in the area of biomedical engineering and biomaterials. Research
activity is well represented at both academic and industrial levels.
Research groups I have observed are very well equipped with new
instruments and machines to carry out state-of-the-art research.
Sometimes, physical facilities (space, lab buildings) are outdated,
insufficient or simply crowded and dangerous. Japanese are
internationally recognized for techniques in polymer chemistry and
contributions of polymers as biomaterials. This places them presently in
a good position to make valuable new contributions. However, the field
of biomaterials is rapidly evolving, [requiring]{.underline} the
recruitment of new knowledge from recent advances in cell and molecular
biology to optimize future scientific success. Because of the
independent nature of most academic research efforts, few research
groups in Japan are poised to be able to effectively incorporate new
[interdisciplinary]{.underline} methods. Japan lacks a postdoctoral
researcher system that often allows groups to bring in new talent to
develop new scientific areas. Japanese research efforts must be able to
cross-fertilize each other in response to new, rapidly developing
interdisciplinary knowledge. Especially in biomaterials science, the
quantity of science in a number of disciplines contributing to this
research area is enormous, requiring team work. Research funding
mechanisms and a postdoctoral system should be offered as incentives to
work together [across]{.underline} traditional disciplines and to break
down traditional academic research barriers. The scientific resources
are available to keep Japan competitive internationally in the
biomedical research area. However, the infrastucture should be modified
to allow versatility and adaptability [within]{.underline} research
groups and prompt cooperation [between]{.underline} groups to optimize
opportunities for scientific success. Team-based interdisciplinary
government research funding programs should be developed as incentive to
do this. In developing a postdoctoral system, industry should be
consulted to provide salary-based incentives to those who go on to
complete a postdoctoral experience, putting them ahead of traditional
Ph.D.s who go right into industry.

3\. Comments or suggestions to JSPS re: fellowship program

The Japanese scientific community has a strong tradition of inviting
foreigner scientists for symposia visits, lasting from a few days to a
week. These hosted visits are excellent ways to introduce Japanese and
foreign researchers but are often too short to promote much more than
introductions. The NSF-JSPS Long-term fellowships allow established
scientific relationships between Japanese researchers and US scientists
to progress by supporting sabbatical leave opportunities for Americans
to actually undertake research for a long-term in Japan. However, few
scientists are willing to take sabbatical leave in Japan without an
established scientific relationship. In addition, few American
professors are willing to promote the NSF-JSPS Summer Institute program
to their graduate students without a firm connection to their Japanese
partner lab. The JSPS Short-Term Fellow program allows a foreign
visiting scientist to establish firm contacts with a Japanese host lab
without risks or inconveniences associated with a one-year long-term
visit. The two- or three-month stay is an [important, intermediate
bridge-building opportunity]{.underline} between a very short symposium
visit and a more serious long-term stay. For these reasons, the
Short-Term program will be more effective in establishing and
maintaining enduring international scientific relationships with Japan.
Increased participation in both faculty and graduate student exchanges
should result from this multiple time-scale set of JSPS visitation
programs.

I have participated in the German Humboldt and French CNRS scientific
exchange programs. The German program offered language and culture
schooling opportunities as part of the fellowship. This was very useful
for integrating and learning about the host country. I encourage JSPS to
think about arranging optional Japanese language and culture (e.g.,
evening classes) tutoring for those foreign guests interested in
participating.

4\. Other comments

My fortunate ability to bring my family (wife and 4 children, ages 3 to
11) to Japan during my fellowship had a great impact on my enjoyment and
productivity of this JSPS experience. We were lucky enough to find
wonderful housing accommodations in Ichikawa where my family could fully
and actively participate for two months in Japanese cultural activities
and everyday life. We were welcomed and integrated into Japanese society
and our neighborhood to an extent I never believed possible. My family
will be impacted for life by this positive experience, both by long-term
memories and Japanese friends of all ages. This success was due largely
to the wife of my host who was extremely active in accessing
opportunities for my family during each week that would normally not be
openly provided to foreigners. The JSPS experience is, for me, an
outstanding example of leveraging an international scientific experience
into a multi-faceted family cross-cultural exchange.

Significant family cultural events included:

• Hiroshima Peace Museum

• Sakura Japanese National Cultural History Museum

• Osaka-jo Museum

• Nikko Temple Visit

• Hakata Folk Museum