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2023
2023

SUMS
SUMS
Integrated
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Shiga
ShigaUniversity
Universityofof
Medical
MedicalScience
Science
滋賀医科大学滋賀医科大学統合報告書
統合報告書2023
2023

To Make SUMS and the Local

Community Sustainable and Attractive
Contributing to local medicine for half a century,
and celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2024

The targets of sustainability are(1) Human Resource Development (2) Finances, and (3) Facilities and Equipment
The most critical challenges lie in humanresource development and recruitment(1) Sustainability in human resource development
extends to sustainability in local community healthcare,education, and research. The primary challenge is topromote recruitment of medical specialist trainees inmedical ﬁelds and secure graduate students in nursing.
Recruiting many medical specialist trainees supports
the development of healthcare in local communities,
which can be followed with accepting outstanding
graduate students to advance research with their young
minds. Owing to fresh initiatives in medical educationfrom the students' perspective and the endeavors ofeach medical department, the recruitment of medical
specialist trainees under the New Training andCertifying System for Medical Specialists in Japan,

President Shinji Uemoto

initiated in the AY2018, has proceeded smoothly, withan average of 58 medical specialist trainees recruitedannually.

desire and support of the people of Shiga Prefecture. As the university “supported by the local community,
contributing to the community, and playing an active part in the world,” we have aimed to develop medical andnursing sciences and promote human health. In addition to fostering outstanding medical professionals who provide
holistic medical and nursing care in the prefecture, we have produced leaders in medicine and nursing science
nationwide by promoting distinctive medical and nursing research and advanced medical care.

We promote the recruitment of medical
specialist trainees and securing of graduate
students in nursing, and support and encourage
the advancement of research by young minds.
Additionally, the goal of our nursing education is tocultivate leading nurses for the healthcare of Shiga
Prefecture, making graduate education increasingly
crucial. In recent years we have been successfully
admitting more graduate students to the Masterʼ s

Being Sustainable and Attractive
SUMS has reached its current milestone thanks to
the dedicated eﬀorts of our alumni and their association

Program in Nursing＊.
embodies transparency, compliance, respect fordiversity, and eﬀective communication.

local community and all those connected with SUMS.

A secure and enjoyable environment serves

However, to envision a promising future built on thisas a powerful motivator for all students,

progress, organizational sustainability is imperative. Thisfaculty, and staﬀ.

and staﬀ in their studies and work. The success inconsisted of the Pioneering Research and International
Joint Research Divisions. However, the Advanced
Medical Research and Development Division was later
established to promote the development of medical
devices. The presence of young researchers andgraduate students who actively engage in research andmake contributions at the international level is a
substantial asset for promoting the sustainability ofhuman resource development and advancing the
University's growth.

While ﬁnances are stable, we must to
respond to changes in society:(2) Financial sustainability necessitates eﬀective

committed to enhancing ethics education, complianceand prevention of harassment, all of which were
believed to be behind the incident. Concurrently, eﬀorts
to eradicate harassment and promote complianceexternal funding. Management of the University Hospitalhas proceeded smoothly even during the period of the
COVID-19 pandemic from 2020, and the acquisition of
external funding, including government research grants,
has also been successful. In 2022, six joint research
departments were established, with an additional two
set to begin in April 2023. However, ongoing global
uncertainties pose a potential threat, particularly thecontinuous rise in prices, and the sustained high cost ofutilities is a signiﬁcant concern. While closely monitoring
societal and economic changes and government
responses, execution of the initial budget for FY2023
will prioritize austerity measures. However, despite
these challenging circumstances, education andresearch remain the University s core activities, and wehave commenced educational and research support
programs as usual.
Similarly, for (3) sustainability of facilities andequipment, we will initiate measures starting from theessential minimum and expand them while monitoring
the situation.

Motivation

providing such an environment enhances engagement,

for theestablishing a virtuous cycle of organizational

PrideContribution

1

Medical Research Institute in the 2022, initially＊With the establishment of the Doctoral Program in Nursing (second semester) in the Graduate School of Medicine in April 2024,
the existing Master's Program in Nursing will be renamed as the Doctoral Program in Nursing (first semester).

fostering a sense of reassurance for students, faculty,

We ﬁrmly believe that an attractive environment

involving medical students in the 2022, the university isamong faculty and staﬀ have been intensiﬁed.

sustainability cultivates an appealing atmosphere,

sustainability and an appealing atmosphere.

At the same time, in light of the arrest incident

education for undergraduate students, and awareness"Koikai," together with the unwavering support of the

The Medical Innovation Research Center,established under the reorganization of the Advanced

management of the University Hospital and obtaining

Shiga University of Medical Science (SUMS), founded in 1974, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. Under
the concept of “One Prefecture, One Medical University,” SUMS was established in response to the passionate

Young researchers are a signiﬁcant asset
for our Universityʼ s development:

reaﬃrmed

futureThis year's report contains a lot of information about alumni, who are actively making signiﬁcant contributions nationwide.
Through this lens, we aim to spotlight SUMS' broader impact on society. We envision this report serving as an opportunity forour supporters to recognize and appreciate SUMSʼ s ongoing initiatives. Simultaneously, we encourage our students, faculty,
and staﬀ to reaﬃrm their pride in the University and ﬁnd renewed motivation to stride conﬁdently into the future.

2

Explore SUMS

Looking Back on History, Moving toward the Future
History & Milestones

Photos from graduation memorabilia are included for alumni to reminisce.

The Fourth Medium-Term Goals and Plan

The progress of the Fourth Medium-Term Goals and Plan is graphically displayed.

Quick Facts of SUMS

Key ﬁgures and information are provided for a better understanding of thefeatures and strengths of SUMS.

34

Explore SUMS
SUMS will celebrate its
50th anniversary in 2024

History & Milestones

1975■ 4/10 First Entrance Ceremony held
■5/2 Opening Ceremony held
■6/23 Shakunage-kai (philanthropist organization for body donation) established1976■8/16 University Campus moved to its current location in Seta,
Otsu City

1977 ■9/17 Memorial Monument for Body Donors erected
1978■6/28 Collaborative Research Facilities established

4/1 Research Center for Animal Life Science established2002 ■■5/22
Biomedical MR Science Center, Lifestyle-Related Diseases Prevention Center established■11/6 Center of Educational Research on Medicine and Welfare established

Education and Research Center for Promotion of the2004 ■ 4/1 Medical
Professions established■6/3

Central Research Laboratory established2005 ■ 4/1 Midwifery
Program established2006 ■ 6/29 Biomedical Innovation Center established1979 ■12/12 Anatomy Center established2007 ■2/1 SUMS Child Care Center established

1981

2008 ■9/25 Research Collaboration and Promotion Center established■3/25 First Graduation Ceremony for the School of Medicine held
■ 4/14 Graduate School established■5/9 First Entrance Ceremony for the Graduate School held

1985 ■3/23 First Doctorate degrees in Medical Science awarded

Research Promotion Organization for Intractable2009 ■ 4/1 Neurological
Disease established1989 ■ 6/28 Molecular Neurobiology Research Center established2011 ■7/1 Oﬃce for Gender Equality established1990 ■ 6/8 Health Administration Center established2013 ■ 4/1 Center for Epidemiologic Research in Asia established

School of Nursing established1994 ■■ 4/1
4/25 First Entrance Ceremony for the School of Nursing held

4/1 Community Healthcare Education and Research Center established2014 ■■9/4
Skills Lab Building completed

1997 ■ 4/1 Multimedia Center established2015 ■11/26 Research Ethics Oﬃce established1998■3/25 First Graduation Ceremony for the School of Nursing held
■ 4/1 Master's Program in Nursing established■ 4/24 Entrance Ceremony for the Nursing Course at the Graduate School of Medicine held

1st Medium-Term
Goals and PlanFirst Masterʼs degree in Nursing awarded by the2000 ■3/27 Graduate
School of Medicine

1974

Hospital established with
1978 ■ 4/1 15University
departments■10/1 The University Hospital opened with
320 beds

1980■1/9 180 beds added, for a total of 440 beds
■5/21 160 beds added, for a total of 600 beds

Division of Emergency and Critical Care
1990 ■6/8 Medicine
established1993 ■ 4/1 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) establishedHospital classroom
1995 ■ 4/1 (belongs
to Seta Higashi Elementary School)
opened

2017

■ 4/1
■5/1

Advanced Medical Research Organization established2022 ■ 4/1 Medical
Innovation Research Center established

Molecular Engineering Institute, Functional Materials Laboratory established
Molecular Engineering Institute, Molecular Design of New Materials Laboratory established
Department of Regenerative Medicine Development established
Department of Biocommunication Development established■10/1 Department of Therapeutics for Protein Misfolding Diseases established
Molecular Engineering Institute, Sustainable Materials
Development Laboratory establishedManagement Oﬃce of Medical Research established
Research Administration Oﬃce reorganized

Information Technology and Management
2018 ■ 4/1 Centerestablished

Department of Research and Development for Innovative
Medical Devices and Systems established■6/14 Education Promotion Oﬃce established

IR Oﬃce established2019 ■ 4/1 Admissions
Center established■7/1

Department of Pharmacotherapeutics established
2023 ■ 4/1 Departmentof Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine established

Department of Advanced Medical Research and Development established2024

4/1 Doctoral course established in the Graduate School of Nursing
2024 ■■10/1
50th Anniversary

Center for Advanced Medicine against
Cancer establishedComprehensive Strategy Council
established
Education Center for Medicine
and Nursing established

2020 ■ 4/1 International Center established
2021 ■ 4/1 NCD Epidemiology Research Center established

3rd Medium-Term
Goals and Plan

2016‑2021

2010‑2015

2004‑20091996 ■ 4/1 Blood Service Center established
Clinical Section of General Medicine
1997 ■ 4/1 established1999
Section of Medical Informatics and Biomedical Engineering
2001 ■ 4/1 established■ 4/1

I, II and III into Cardiovascular Medicine, Respiratory Medicine,
Gastroenterology, Hematology, Endocrinology and Metabolism,
Nephrology, and Neurology; Surgery I and II into Gastrointestinal
Surgery, Breast/General Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery,and Respiratory Surgery■ 4/17 Medical Safety Section, Clinical Resident Training Center, andCommunity Medical Collaboration Section established

4/1 Clinical Education Center for Physicians established2009 ■■10/20
Medical Oncology Department established■12/1 Clinical Education Center for Nurses established

Midwifery Clinic established2010 ■3/1■7/1 Six beds added,for a total of 614 beds

Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) dispatched2011 ■3/12 for
the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster assistance

2003

■ 4/1

Rehabilitation Section and Section of Diagnostic
Pathology establishedCentral Clinical Facilities and Special Clinical Facilities
2004 ■ 4/1 reorganized
into Central Clinical Sections,

Clinical Trials Management Oﬃce established

Section of Endoscopy established2002 ■ 4/1 Clinical
Departments reorganized: Internal Medicine

4th Medium-Term
Goals and Plan

2022‑2027

2nd Medium-Term
Goals and Plan

1999 ■ 4/1 Molecular Neuroscience Research Center established5

With the enactment of the National University Corporation Law,
national universities were incorporated, which also made
SUMS a national university corporation.
Skills Laboratory established2016 ■ 4/1 Molecular Neuroscience Research Center reorganized

Hospital

University

Planning Oﬃce for Establishing SUMS set up in Kyoto University
1974 ■2/16■10/1 Shiga University of Medical Science established in Moriyama City

■8/1

Medical Safety Section, Community Medical Collaboration Section,
Medical Training Division, Clinical Resident Training Center,and Clinical Trials Management Oﬃce
Section of Emergency and ICU established
Section of Clinical Engineering established

4/1 Section of Medical Oncology established2005 ■■8/1
Section of Clinical Nutrition established■10/1 Center for Clinical Research and Advanced Medicine
established2013 ■3/25 Surgical Robot “da Vinci Si” introduced
Heliport completed
2014 ■3/31■ 4/1 Hospital classroom(belongs to Seta Junior High School) established

Advanced Nurse Training Promotion Oﬃce established2016 ■2/1■ 4/1 Perinatal Center established■10/1 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department established

4/1 Cancer Center established2007 ■■8/31
Ward “D” completed

2017 ■ 4/1 Advanced Nurse Training Center established

Division of Infection Control and Prevention established2008 ■6/1■7/1 Patient Support Center established

Stroke Care Unit (SCU) established
2021 ■9/1■10/29 Triage Center established6

Explore SUMS

Explore SUMS

With the start of the Fourth Medium-Term Goals and Plan, it has become mandatory to set
performance indicators to show the level of achievement for each medium-term plan.
SUMS has set 57 performance indicators for outputs and outcomes.
These indicators will be shown alongside the FY2022 results.

Fostering outstanding physicians whowill settle in Shiga Prefecture
Training nurses who will become future
leaders(Visiting nurses, Graduates of Advanced
Nurse Training, Nurses specializing in
infectious diseases, etc.)

Percentage of medical school
graduates enrolled in the quota
for regional service employedin Shiga immediately after
graduation
Achievement90%

FY2022

on average over 6 years

5% over 6 years(Target number: 325)

KPI

Achievement

FY2022

10class periods

At least

35 trainees

FY2022

on average over 6 years

More thanAchievementin 6 years(Target number: 6)

6
products/services

FY202299.0％

10% over 6 years(Target number: 0.35)

43 trainees

At least

At least

Achievement

FY2022

on average over 6 years

Achievement

FY2022

98.3％

0.58papers

More thanAchievement

FY2022in 6 years(Target: ￥15 million)

6 nurseson average over 6 years

At least

At least

Achievement

FY2022

on average over 6 years

about

7.7

￥

million

34 nurses

by FY2027

100％

Pass rate of the National
Midwifery Exam for new
graduates

At least

Achievement

98% on average

FY2022100％

over 6 years

KPI

Income from external funds
through collaborative
research and open
laboratories
Achievement

Increase by at least

5% over 6 years

FY2022

KPI

Pass rate of the National
Public Health Nursing Examfor new graduates

98%

Achievement

50 nurses

KPI

Intellectual
property-related income

doubleFY2022

KPI

Pass rate of the National
Nursing Exam for new
graduates

98%

Achievement

2.8 nurses

KPI

Number of papers
published in English per
young researcher

Increase by at least

FY2022

on average over 6 years

KPI

Number of products andservices to which SUMS
contributes in development

doubleAchievement95%

Achievement

KPI

Pass rate of the National
Exam for Medical
Practitioners for new
graduates

KPI

Sustainability in Research

38graduates

At least

Number of nurses withadvanced training assigned
to the University Hospital

合格

25% over 6 years

FY2022

KPI

Number of visiting nurses
in Shiga

合格

Increase by at least

Achievement

Number of medical
specialist trainees at the
University Hospital(SUMS alumni)

KPI

Number of lectures onthemes involving integrationof medicine and other ﬁelds
including AI(Target number: 60)

Deepening distinctive research
Developing young human resources
who will become future leaders
Increasing external funds throughpromotion of industry-academia
collaborative research

100％

Number of medical school
graduates employed in
Shiga immediately after
graduation

Increase by at least

KPI

KPI

合格

Cultivating human resources capable of
AI development and ICT utilization
Establishing an education system forthe future (STEAM education, online
education, simulation education, etc.)

KPI

合格

Sustainability in Education

2022 ▶ 2023 ▶ 2024 ▶ 2025 ▶ 2026 ▶ 2027

KPI

At least

Sustainable & Attractive

has passed

To Be a Sustainable and Attractive University

Sustainability in Community Healthcare2022▶2027

One year

The Fourth Medium-Term Goals and Plan -with Key Performance Indicators (KPI)-

FY2022
about

300(Target: ￥600 million) ￥millionNumber of double-degree
program or equivalent
programs

At least

1

in 6 years

We plan to establish
an international dual
or joint doctoral
program.

A joint degree is a single academic degree
jointly conferred on students who havecompleted a single joint educational program

Sustainability in Running the Operation
Improving work eﬃciency, including theuse of digital technologies
Expanding Gender Equality Promotion
Plan to the local community
Building a functionally enhanced ward of
the University Hospital

KPI

KPI

Reduced work hours
through the introduction ofdigital technologies such as
AI and RPA

At least

1,000 cumulative
hours over 6 years

Achievement

FY2022748 hours

KPI

Number of participants in
Skills Refresher Course(Career continuity support
for female physicians)

At least

6 participants
over 6 years

Achievement

FY2022

2 doctors

Number of patientstransported by ambulanceand helicopter

Increase by at least

25% by FY2027(Target: 3,750)

established by universities that jointly set up

KPI

Achievement

FY2022

3,535
patients

the said program.

Number of gastrointestinalendoscopic examinations
and treatments

Increase by at least

25% by FY2027(Target: 9,000)

Achievement

FY2022

6,823

tests/treatments

The functionally enhanced ward of the University
Hospital will be completed around January 2026.
Image for the new building

78

Explore SUMS

Explore SUMS

Quick Facts of SUMS
See website ofIR oﬃce.

Founded1974

inFaculty and Staff

The 50th
anniversary
will be celebrated
in 202450th Anniversary
WebsiteFrom the Lake Country
to the World

1,418
Percentage of females

All Faculty andStaﬀ members

Half a century of services tohealth care and beyond

62.0%

Facultymembers(May 2023)

External Funds Received

26.2%

In the ﬁeld of medical education, the percentage of female faculty members
university exceeds this national average. Among the four national medical

the forthcoming 50th anniversary, we take a moment to reﬂect on the University's

universities, we have the highest percentage of female faculty members, aillustrious history and express our deep gratitude to all contributors. In addition totestament to our concerted eﬀorts to foster an inclusive environment where

this report, we invite you to explore our special commemorative website.

both men and women actively participate.

Number of Students

FemaleUndergraduate
School of Medicine
686

926

School of Nursing
240

58.7% 41.3%

403

4.2%

283

95.8%

10

230

Transferred Students
11.8%
Regional level for 1-year students 11.6%

Graduate

20.8% 79.2%

59

10

38

International Students
Adult Graduate Students

16.0％
68.9％

1,132
Total

522

approx.

53.9%

7：8

610

National Examination Pass Rate
Doctors95.6%（ National average
91.6%）

Public health nurses

100%（ National average
93.7%）

9(FY2022)98

Nurses■Joint research withprivate companies

billion 15.0％
yen
58.5％

8.0％

■Other competitive
external funds
Obtaining external funds is important
for the development of research.
SUMS is not only promoting research,
but also conducting research
activities and providing researchsupport on a daily basis to link ourresearch to social implementation.

The grant for "Improving facilities for industry-academia cooperationand joint research through collaboration of regional core anddistinctive research universities" was adopted.

(FY2022)

29.8% 28

National average.6％

We support young researchers

SUMS has a high adoption rate for "Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists(36.1%)" and "Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-ups (40.0%)". We
encourage young researchers to apply for the grants in the spirit of "No
Application, No Adoption".

Patent Licensing Rate

Ordinary Revenues(FY2022).46
35
2nd 61.7％
University Fact Book 2023

1：2.4

Faculty

Undergraduate students

National University Average ST Ratio

Male-to-Female Ratio
46.1%(May 2023)■Commissioned research

Adoption Rate of
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific
Research (KAKENHI)(Japan Business Federation)

Masterʼs Program
48

62.7% 37.3%

Student-to-Faculty
Ratio

206

Doctoral Program
158

99(May 2023)■Donations

8.3％

is 24.9%, as per the MEXT School Basic Survey 2022. We are proud that our
As we celebrate our 49th anniversary this year and embark on special projects for

Male■Grants-in-Aid for ScientiﬁcResearch

10.2％

3.5

(FY2022).3%（ National average
90.8%）

Midwives

100%

1：9.4

Rankedbillion yen

Although the number of patents held by SUMS is small compared to that ofcomprehensive universities, the licensing rate is high, and we are returning
the results of our research to society.

SUMS has more faculty members than the national average for the number ofstudents, which allows us to provide generous support in teaching andUniversity Rankings

research. (General Survey of Schools by MEXT, 2022)

Times Higher Education

Career Paths of Alumni in Shiga

36.5%
48.3%

School of Medicine(FY2022)

THE World University
Rankings: Japan 2023

While the percentage of medical graduates employed within the prefecture

In 2022, our National Examination pass rates surpassed the national average,

in 2022 was lower than in previous years, we aspire to encourage graduatesa testament to the dedicated eﬀorts of our education director and team, theto remain in Shiga. To support this, we are reaching out to those who left

compassionate support provided to students, and the hard work of the

Shiga after graduation to inform them that there are opportunities to returnstudents themselves. Our commitment to guiding students toward successful

and contribute with their accumulated experience to realize our University's

graduation as medical professionals remains unwavering.

philosophy of "contributing to the community" in later years.

SDG3"Good HealthIn the ﬁeld of“Educational Resources”

Ranked8th/

School of Nursing（ National average
95.6%）THE Impact Ranking 2023

271universities

In our educational and research environment,each student can receive warm and substantial support
Educational Resources represents how well-rounded education is, based ondata such as funds per student and faculty ratios.

and Well-being"

Globalranking:
Domestic
ranking:

16th/1,218
2nd /70

institutions

universities

Recognized for its remarkable eﬀorts to promote health andwell-being in local communities to achieve the SDGs

Our overall ranking has also improved from the previous year, moving up

This ranking evaluates university social contributions and research activities

from 96th to 89th place.

using the SDG framework.

10Research

In 2022, the Advanced Medical Research Organization was established to integrate our

Research

research centers so that they cross the boundaries of each center, expecting that by applying
the cynomolgus monkey disease model, the distinctive fruit of our Universityʼ s research, to all

Research Organization that Crosses Disciplinary Boundaries

research projects. We will promote unprecedented leading academic research in this field.

Aiming for further development*Our animal experiments are conducted under careful consideration for animal bioethics with an animal experiment accreditation system.

Advanced Medical Research Organization

Prof. Isobe

Forwarding social implementation and practical application

Central Research Laboratory

The Laboratory was established in 2005 by integrating the former Central
Research Laboratory and the Radioisotope Research Center.
Under the direction of Professor Yasushi Ito, with seven staff
members including full-time staff, we manage and support
the use of various types of shared equipment. The
Laboratory also conducts intensive lectures, on-campus
seminars, user workshops, and user meetings as needed tosupport the Universityʼs education and research.

Managing and supporting the use of shared equipment

We aim to be a pioneer in paving the way for original ideas byadvancing the analysis of the molecular pathogenesis of intractableneurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateralsclerosis, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. We have introduced
state-of-the-art methodologies in genetic engineering, molecular andcellular biological approaches, andmorphological approaches, and haveestablished a research system that
integrates basic and clinical research,from the creation of animal models,
biomarker development, and drug
discovery to clinical trials.

Medical studies using monkeys

Dementia and neurodegenerative diseases
From left: Prof. Nishimura, Prof. Urushitani (Head), Prof. Ishigaki

From left: Prof. Ema, Asst. Prof. Okamura

NCD Epidemiology ResearchCenterCenter for Advanced Medicine
against Cancer

As one of Japanʼ s leading epidemiological research centers,
we conduct research to determine the causes of lifestyle-relateddiseases and dementia, and to establish preventive methods througha variety of epidemiological studies on non-communicable diseases(NCDs). We are advancing projects such as MHLWʼ S NIPPONDATA,
the Shiga Epidemiology Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis (SESSA),
and the International Study ofMacro-/Micronutrients and Blood
Pressure (INTERMAP), making
significant contributions to national
policymaking and the progress of
medical science worldwide.

The Center is engaged in research to elucidate the mechanisms ofcancer development and progression through cutting-edge molecularanalysis. We use various animal models and human biological samples
in the development of innovative cancer diagnosis and treatment
methods.
We also promote the fusion of basic andclinical medicine, stimulate the developmentof seed and bridge research originating fromacademia, and train medical professionals
to lead advanced cancer treatment researchand its practice at the University Hospital.

Lifestyle-related diseases and epidemiological studies

Advanced cancer research
From left: Prof. Daigo (Head), Assoc. Prof. Teramoto

Accelerating priority research
Promoting the development of young professionals who will become future leaders

What is the tenure-track system?

▼

NEW
This division was established in April 2023,
and aims to develop cutting-edge medical
devices by identifying unmet clinical needs andimplementing core technologies created throughmedical-engineering collaborative
research under industry-academia
cooperation. We welcomed Assoc.
Prof. Atsushi Yamada, who wasinvolved in the development andcommercialization of an advanced
movable catheter for ERCP.

Advanced Medical Research andDevelopment Division
Assoc. Prof. Yamada

11

The Center has artificial breeding technology for cynomolgus
monkeys, a rarity in the world, and as a satellite facility of the World
Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), it producesdisease model monkeys using advanced genetic modification
technology.
It is also capable of conducting high-level
infection experiments and developing
vaccines and therapeutics. We actively
support primate research by promoting joint
research with domestic and international
research institutions.

From left: Assoc. Prof. Kadota, Prof. Miura (Head), Assoc. Prof. Harada

From left: Prof. Ito (Head), Assoc. Prof. Asahina

Medical Innovation Research Center

The Center addresses medical
innovation by promoting
challenging and integrative
research unbound by existing
frameworks, with diverse
human resources unlimited byage, gender, or nationality.

▼▼

Collaboration of industry, academia, government andfinance・Social implementation of research findings

Molecular Neuroscience
Research Center▼

Contribute to promoting local industries andsolving of health and medical problems

In order to link research findings to social implementation, we will
strengthen collaboration among industry, academia, government andfinance, partnering with local companies, to contribute to regional
development through creating medical innovations.

▼（BioMedical Business Development Unit）
Deepening distinctive research that has power through international dissemination

Plan

Research Center for AnimalLife Science

BBDU

▼

Medium-Term▼FourthWe aim to promote international collaborative
research on dementia and lifestyle-relateddiseases, which are on the rise in Asia, by inviting
outstanding foreign researchers. Prof. Wan Zurinah
Wan Ngah of the National
University of Malaysia (UKM)
was appointed as a special
contract professor to establish adouble or joint degree programwith our partner university, UKM.

International Joint Research Division

To accelerate priority research, we provide an environment where young researchers can work
independently and freely to conduct pioneering research using next-generation research methods
such as AI technology.

The tenure-track system provides a
career path for professors working on
fixed-term special contracts. This systemenables young researchers to carry out

Assoc. Prof. Hashimoto

Appointed asa tenure-track
facultymember

We will further develop our existing researchusing Alzheimer's disease models to elucidate thepathogenic mechanisms and discover new drugs.
We will also proactively adopt new researchtechnologies to make them more effective, and by
sharing our knowledge and ideas, we expect togrow substantially.

research and educational activities in an
independent environment and, after areview, obtain a tenured position.

Pioneering Research Division

Prof. Wan Zurinah Wan Nagh

12

Research

Research

Support System for Young Researchers Spreading their Wings
Motivations for the future01

From an early age, I was an unusual child who
loved making plastic model robots such as Mobile
Suit Gundam and practicing kendo, which I started
at the age of 7 when I visited a dojo at a police
station. In my high school and college days, I was amember of kendo clubs and enjoyed student life withclassmates, seniors, and juniors. At SUMS, I joined
the First Department of Surgery with a strong belief
that surgery was my only choice. There, I learned thebasics of surgery from Prof. Toru Tani. In my third year
as an intern, I joined the Department of Surgery at
Keiyukai Sapporo Hospital to study esophago-gastricsurgery, and from this experience, decided to specialize
in upper gastrointestinal surgery. I then studied drugdelivery at the Graduate School of Medicine at the
University of Tokyo, and then trained in laparoscopic
surgery at Toranomon Hospital. After six years inTokyo, I returned to SUMS in 2013.
Until now, I have mainly been involved in gastricsurgery. Since 2017, I have introduced robotic
gastrectomy to become a surgeon who can operatea robot, which has been my dream since childhood.
In robotic surgery, a surgeon uses both hands andfeet to operate a da Vinci Surgical Robot®, which
is many times larger than a human, from a console
located a short distance away. The surgeon can

02

perform delicate surgery
while viewing magnified,
high-definition 3D endoscopic
images. To date, I have safely
performed more than 120
robotic gastrectomies. As
the development of surgicalrobots continues to beremarkable and all kindsof devices and machines
are being developed, I willcontinue to pursue new andminimally invasive surgicalapproaches.

Sachiko Kaida
Associate Professor
Gastrointestinal Surgery,
Shiga University of
Medical Science(Completed PhD in 2011)

As an Entrepreneur of a Venture Established at SUMS

In my second year of medical school, my
grandmother was hospitalized after a stroke. Even after
she was discharged from the hospital, not only she but
also her family members were afraid it would happen
again. Three years later in my fifth year, when knowing
a Pitch Contest would be held on campus, I formed ateam of three students and developed an "earlystroke-detection app." After winning several businesscompetitions, I applied for a patent together with the
Department of Neurosurgery to promote development
and was selected for the Japan Science andTechnology Agencyʼ s “Program for Start-up Incubationfrom Core Research.” After graduation, while
completing my initial clinical training, I conducted a
one-and-a-half year collaborative research project with
Panasonic Corporation, which resulted in filing threepatent applications. After that, I was not sure whether
to continue the project on my own or not, but in theend I founded Medpreneur Inc. in the summer of 2022
as a venture company originating from SUMS after
thinking back to what took me to my starting point:
solving the problem of "early detection and early

treatment of stroke."In 2023, Medpreneur was
selected for a joint research
grant from Kansai Mirai Bank,and we are continuing
development in collaboration
with SUMSʼ s University
Hospital.
When I applied for thisShogo Takahata
medical school, I wanted toAssistant Professor
become a medical technical
Medical Innovation
Research Center, Shiga
official at the Ministry of
University of Medical Science
Health, Labor and Welfare, so(Graduated in 2020)
I never imagined I would
become an entrepreneur.
However, my life changed drastically when I visited
Silicon Valley during an overseas training program on
the iKODE program, SUMS's entrepreneurshipdevelopment program adopted by MEXT's EDGE
program, in my third year. I would like to move forward
step by step to my dream of one day playing an activerole on the stage of Silicon Valley.

290,000 stroke cases per year, and 79%of them occur at home1

Create AI modelthat detects
dysarthria from
specific phrases

Now Spreading my Wings from Under the Warmth of SUMS!

From 2016 to March 2023, I was a graduate
student and special contract assistant professor
at SUMS. In April 2023, I started working at Kindai
Universityʼ s Faculty of Medicine as an assistantprofessor, studying viral infections of the central
nervous system.
I have been in Japan for more than six and ahalf years, during which time I have grown as anexpert in the warm environment of SUMS. Thanks
to the monkeys at the Research Center for AnimalLife Science, I was able to learn about pneumonia
caused by highly pathogenic influenza viruses andnovel coronaviruses, and to find a research topic on
NAD metabolism defects caused by viral infection.
Now, I have fulfilled my childhood dream of studying
abroad, and my current dream is to understand NAD
metabolism and develop treatments for infectious
diseases associated with it.
At SUMS, I began to study the expression and role

13

03

My Journey to Becoming a Robotic Surgeonof CD38, an NAD-degrading
enzyme, using tissues andendothelial cell lines frommonkeys infected witha novel coronavirus. The
more I study it, the more I
understand the complexityof the "NAD world," while atthe same time realizing how
Nguyen, Thanh Cong
little I know. Looking back, I
Assistant Professor
am grateful for the generous
Faculty of Medicine,
guidance and support ofKindai University
everyone around me that has(Completed PhD in 2021)
allowed me to study this far.
I will continue my research,appreciating the warmth of
SUMS and making it the source of my power to move
forward.

Develop an AI modelthat assesses theseverity of illness andapply it torehabilitation support

Import to smart home devices
Licensing out

Assess urgency
by considering
information on
medical history
andmedications

Improve patient
prognosis
through early
detection andtreatment

53% of smartphone users in Japan use healthcare apps2

Implement it in healthcare apps

1
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/wp/hakusyo/kyousei/18/backdata/01-01-02-04.html. (MHLW, 2018)2
https://prtimes.times.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000337.000005362.html

Presidentʼs Discretionary Research Funds

The Universityʼs Supporting System

To support young scientists, SUMS provides grants for their research based on original ideas at thediscretion of the President.
Kakenhi(Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research)
application support grants

Grantsfor exploratory researchby young researchers

Grantsfor specially promoted
projects

If young researchers are not selected for
Kakenhi, in order to succeed in the nextyear, SUMS provides grants for the study
theme.

SUMS provides research funds
for creative exploratory
research by young researchers
through internal recruitment
and selection.

After internal recruitment, SUMS
selects and funds creative andstrategic projects that integrate
epidemiology, basic medicine, andclinical medicine.

14International Exchange Data

Have both a Supple Mind and Critical Spirit：When I tackled the Mystery of Hepatitis B

Number ofPartner Institutions

Capacity ofInternational House

26

President Shinji Uemoto

Number of
Foreign Students

45

As of May 1st, 2023

33

As of May 1st, 2023

Number of Students
Overseas Dispatch

Number of Faculty
Overseas Dispatch

Average of 2016-2019

Average of 2016-2019

46

from
8 countries

As of May 1st, 2023

250

* The numbers of students and faculty dispatched overseas are based on the results prior to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

At graduation and degree commencement ceremonies, I deliver a message to
our graduates and alumni: "Have a supple mind and a critical spirit at the sametime." What I mean by this is, that it is important to have a supple mind to absorb new things, but be awarethat what you absorb may not always be correct. In essence, this means to understand the facts as they are.
I would like to share my experience that led me to this belief.

More than twenty years ago, the medical

had been that "the virus is completely cleared andcommunity reported a relatively large number ofantibody-positive after hepatitis B" (Fig. 1). Yet the fact

medical accidents related to hepatitis B. Under theseturned out to be "antibody-positive after hepatitis B, but

circumstances, I had an experience where a child forthe virus persistently infects the liver," thereby

whom I performed a liver transplant contracted hepatitis

overturning the common wisdom of the time. This fact

B two years after the operation and died. Preoperative

was not easily accepted by the academic community,

testing had confirmed that both patient and donor were

but later won acceptance when gastroenterologists

negative for hepatitis B antigens, and I reconfirmed thereported the facts that hepatitis B also develops during

blood transfusions used and the surgeons, all of whichcancer treatment and immunosuppressive treatment of

were antigen negative. There was concern that thisHBc antibody-positive patients.

■ Location of SUMS

Idai Nishimon

Shiga

Shiga Arena

could be classified as a medical accident. However,Today, the guidelines for preventing hepatitis B

there had been a similar case at another institution adevelopment during cancer treatment and

few years earlier, so I decided to investigate all the liver

immunosuppressive treatment (Fig. 2) recognize

transplant cases I had been involved with. I am still veryanti-HBc positive individuals as high-risk, and by

glad I made this decision.

implementing preventive measures, cases of hepatitis B

Please get off at any bus stop below.

development have almost disappeared in medical

・医大西門 (Idai Nishimon)

Surprisingly, in 16 out of 171 cases, patients tested
positive for hepatitis B antigens after surgery (so-calledpractice.

carriers), and in all 16 cases, the donors were hepatitis B

When experience and experimental results differ

antibody (HBc-antibody) positive. Furthermore, whenfrom conventional wisdom, it is important to steadily

PCR testing was performed on surgically removed liveraccumulate facts and take a sincere attitude in pursuit oftissue from donors, hepatitis B virus DNA was detected

the truth.

■ Access to our campus
・滋賀アリーナ (Shiga Arena)
・大学病院 (Daigaku Byoin)※Please use Rapid Service.
Only Rapid Service stops at Seta station.

Kyoto

Conventional Wisdom

70〜80%
Infected
adults
20〜30%

100%

Non-apparent
infection

98〜99%
Acute hepatitis

1〜2%

Figure 2: Guidelines for preventing hepatitis B caused by immunosuppression
and chemotherapy (Revised ver.)Screening (all cases)

Already infectedwith hepatitis B
HBs Ag-negative・
anti-HBc positive
hepatitis virus was eliminated

HBsAg

BUS 90 min.
TRAIN 75 min.

Seta

18 min.

JR Shinkansen
35 min.

Nagoya
100 min.

Tokyo

HBsAg（−）
Anti-HBc、Anti-HBs

HBeAg, anti-HBe,
HBV-DNA quantitative

Fulminant hepatitis

Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO)Anti-HBc（+）and/or Anti-HBs（+）

Anti-HBc（−）and Anti-HBs（−）

HBV-DNA quantitative

standard therapy

Detection sensitivity (+)

1% or less

The University passed the "Institutional
Certiﬁed Evaluation and Accreditation of
Universities" in 2022 stipulated in Article
109, Paragraph 2 of the School Education
Act, and was certiﬁed as satisfying theuniversity evaluation criteria.

Kansai International Airpot (KIX)

HBsAg（+）

HBsAg-positive

TAXI 10 min.

JR conventional line

Osaka Airport (ITM)

Figure 1: Adult HBV infection clinical course

Narita International Airport (NRT)BUS 15 min.
BUS 50 min.

in all cases. Until then, the conventional medical wisdom

Continue for at least 12 months
after completion of therapy

Detection sensitivity (+)
Nucleic acid analog(revised on Sep 26, 2011)※From Osaka/Kyoto, please use "the JR Biwako Line for Kusatsu, Yasu, Maibara and Nagahama" at Kyoto Station.
（Do Not use "the JR Kosei Line for Omi-maiko, Omi-imazu and Tsuruga."）detection sensitivity (-)

Monitoring
HBV-DNA quantitative 1/month(AST/ALT 1/month)

Become chronic

15

Daigaku Byoin

The School of Medicine underwent anevaluation by the Japan Accreditation
Council for Medical Education (JACME) in2017 to obtain accreditation in medical
education, and was certiﬁed as satisfying
global standards.

detection sensitivity (-)

International Center‒ Shiga University of Medical Science

Accreditation for Hospital Functions
by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care

The University Hospital received the initialcertiﬁcate of accreditation for its hospitalfunctions from the Japan Council for
Quality Health Care in February 2004, andit has been renewed every ﬁve years.

1st ﬂoor of General Education and Research Building
Shiga University of Medical Science520-2192 Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga, JAPAN
Email: hqkouryu@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 12:00pm/13:00pm to 17:00pm(Excluding national holidays and year-end/New Year holidays)

16