NEWSLETTER
2021.02.14

The Inaugural Publication
Professor Hiroyuki Nishiyama
University of Tsukuba Institute of Medicine
Project Leader
JST COI-NEXT "Tsukuba Digital-Bio International Center Project "The rapid progress of information technology is driving
the transition to a supersmart society (Society 5.0),
even in the field of biotechnology. In Japan,we believe
it is important to view the issues of declining population
and aging society withfewer children as a strategic
opportunity to co-create a digital bioeconomy throughindustry-academia-government collaboration to enable
all people to live in a state of wellbeing (good physical,
mental and social health and happiness). Therefore, thisproject aims to become an international center by realizing SDG Goal 9: "Foundation for Industry and Technological Innovation" and SDG Goal 3 "Health and Welfare
for All" based on the concept of "Digital Biotechnology".
The Tsukuba region continues to develop through theconcentration of Tsukuba University, national research
institutes, and companies, fostering the soil for the creation of digital biotechnology. Our vision is "to realize a society that supports the wellbeing of all generations ofpeople through interdisciplinary research using bioresources and digital technology centered in Tsukuba,"
and we aim to create a society in which each andevery citizen can lead a healthy and happy life. Throughthis newsletter, we hope to provide a forum for the exchange of information on the research capabilities,
needs, and seeds of the participating institutions andcompanies.

Vol.1

Participating Researchers
University of Tsukuba
Institute of Medicine:
Endocrinology, Metabolism
and Diabetes Transborder
Medical Research Center
Associate Professor
Takafumi Miyamoto
We are conducting various reductionist and constructivist studies to understand themultimodal information created by the vast diversity oflipid molecules in an integrated manner as a "LIPIDCODE". Based on the results of this research, we consider the process from normal to the onset of various diseases (obesity-related diseases, cranial nerve diseases,cancer, etc.) as "disruption of normal signal transduction
systems due to reorganization of the LIPID CODE" anddefine a group of keystone factors that can improve thisdisruption as "pathological signatures" to clarify pathological mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic
methods in various diseases. In Research and Development Project 8, this international center promotes lipidresearch using mathematical analysis, visualization technology, machine learning, etc. (The photo below shows
the members of Assistant Professor Miyamoto's laboratory).

For more information on COI-NEXT, click here. →https://www.jst.go.jp/pf/platform/outline.html

Tsukuba Digital-Bio International Center Newsletter 2021.12.14 vol.1

University of Tsukuba Institute of Medicine
Associate Professor Ohsuke Migita

MathDesign Co.,Ltd.
CEO Tetsuya Sakurai

Treatment and response togenetic disorders is increasing. In
research that deals with a wide
range of genetic information, it isbecoming inevitable that specimen donors who cooperate withthe research will also be analyzed
as participants in the research.
We are conducting analyses that
integrate genetic and environmental information for the development of genetic
medicine. We also formed a genomic board consistingof various experts with the latest analytical technology
to evaluate genetic risk and report and study useful
analyses for medical treatment. In order to improvemedical care, we promote the continuation of research
to find new treatments and responses based on a
deeper understanding of the disease and analysis of thefactors that cause it. As participants gain a deeper understanding of the research and move toward early diagnosis and response, we hope to leverage this for a
Digital Bio transformation.

MathDesign was established as a university-launched
venture with the aim of accelerating industrial technology innovation by utilizing the results of cutting-edge
mathematical science research developed at the University of Tsukuba. We specialize in the advancement ofmachine learning, data science, and scientific andtechnical computing, and provide solutions utilizing awide range of knowledge and technology covering
everything from fundamental mathematical theory tohigh-performance implementation. Tetsuya Sakurai,Deputy Project Leader of the Tsukuba International Center for Digital Bio, serves as President and will contributeby supporting the creation of digital biotechnology withmathematical technology through close collaboration
with this center.

Participating Companies
S&B FOODS INC. Development and Production
Group Executive Officer
Director Yoshiaki Satake,Central Research Laboratory
As a leading manufacturer of spices in Japan, we offer
a variety of products that add color to the dining table(such as spices, curry, wasabi, and fresh herbs) and we
possess the processing technology, raw material procurement, cultivation technology, etc. to develop andmanufacture these products. In recent years, we havealso been conducting research and development on
the health functions of spices, and in the future wewould like to collaborate with the participants in the Tsukuba International Research and Development Centerfor Digital Biotechnology to realize a one-stop productdevelopment process. Since time immemorial, spices
have been an essential source of vitality in human life
and a cornerstone of modern medicine. We will contribute to people's well being by exploring the health functions of spices, providing products and proposing lifestyles centered on meals.

TOPICS
The Base Office Establishes a JETRO Desk
An article on the Comprehensive Collaborative Agreement between the University of Tsukuba and the Japan
External Trade Organization (JETRO, headquartered in
Minato-ku, Tokyo) was published in the University of Tsukuba Newspaper on November 5, 2021.
（）A JETRO desk has been set up in
the main office of thiscenter, and a
representative fromJETRO Ibaraki visits thecampus every Tuesday
to continue thecollaboration.

Primate Medical Science Forum Held at theNational Institute of Biomedical Innovation(NIBIO)
The 17th Primate Medical Science Forum was held on
November 12, 2021, hosted by the Primate Medical
Science Research Centerof the National Institute of
Biomedical Innovation(NIBIO), one of theparticipating institutions ofthe Center, and cohosted by the Center. An

Tsukuba Digital-Bio International Center Newsletter 2021.12.14 vol.1

open lecture for the public was held in the morning, anda forum was held in the afternoon. Exhibit booths of cooperating companies and posters introducing the institute were displayed (the photo shows a lecture by Director Yasuhiro Yasutomi).

Towards Full-Scale Transition to COI-NEXTIn the Support Program for the Formation of Places for
Co-Creation Policy Focus Area/Biotechnology, the review for transition to full-fledged support will be conducted from December 2021 to May 2022. Currently, theresults are being compiled for the first stage evaluation(tentative transition). Within the center, there is a lively
exchange of ideas across agencies in anticipation of
proposal submissions and hearings.

Biocommunity (GTB) Council Will Be HeldThe second general meeting of the GTB Council will beheld on Monday, February 21, 2022. This center will belinked with the global bio-community, GTB, playing various roles in the global bio-community. For more information about GTB, click here.→https://note.com/gtb_com

A Visit to Tohoku Medical Megabank

On December 6, 2021, Deputy Project Leader Sakurai
and Associate Professor Ugeta visited Tohoku Medical
Megabank, a participating institution, and had a meeting with Professor Ogishima and Lecturer Nagaya atTohoku University. In addition, a tour of the megabankfacilities and proposals for holding joint workshops in thefollowing years and beyond were also discussed in ameaningful exchange of opinions.

Lecture by Mr. Koichi Murashita
Dr. Koichi Murashita, who has achieved great results atthe Hirosaki University COI, will give a lecture on Tuesday,
December 14, 2021, at 18:00.

The 2nd General Meeting of Greater Tokyo

Tsukuba Digital-Bio International Center Newsletter 2021.12.14 vol.1