Application for Certification as a World Premier International
Research Center (WPI) Academy Institution
Host institution

Osaka University

Research CenterImmunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC)

Host Institution Head

Shojiro Nishio

Center Director

Kiyoshi Takeda

Administrative Director

Nobuo Sakaguchi

１．

Overall Image of Your Center

２．

Mid- to long-term research projects and strategies

IFReC was established as a WPI center in 2007 on the basis of Japan-leading research achievements inimmunology. IFReC has devoted itself to its mission of combining the fields of immunology, imaging andinformatics to comprehensively understand the dynamics of the immune system. During this time, IFReC
has built up research achievements of the highest standard producing over 1,300 papers that reached anaverage citation index of 43.5 and an h-index of 97. In addition, IFReC researchers have had several new
discoveries of elements in the immune system and cell signaling pathways as well as creation of innovative
new technologies and intellectual property. These advances have attracted much attention from overseasand IFReC has achieved very high visibility internationally in the fields of immunology and biology. TheWPI-IFReC center attracts strong interest not only from researchers in Japan and overseas but alsointernational pharmaceutical companies. The WPI program committee also acclaimed IFReC for achieving
World Premier Status. In the next 10 years, IFReC will further raise the standard of its world top-levelbasic research as a WPI Academy center and will apply the basic research results achieved in order tocontribute back to society. For the future long-standing sustainability of activities, IFReC is now
strengthening the top-down leadership by the nomination of a new director who has the motivation andeagerness to promote the four WPI missions, Science, Globalization, Fusion research and System reform.
In April 2017, IFReC entered 10-year comprehensive collaboration agreements with Chugai PharmaceuticalCo., Ltd. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., respectively. These collaboration agreements secure IFReC
researchers the ability to freely advance scientific basic research and by reporting the results gained fromthe research, create a seamless path to joint research. The collaborations also ensure an operating basefor IFReC that replaces that of the WPI grant. IFReC has raised the flag of Open Innovation and hopes toform collaborations with other corporations. This comprehensive collaboration agreement is a new formof university-industry cooperation and has received high acclaim from many quarters. Effective
implementation and operation of the Open Innovation strategy is a new mission for IFReC.

IFReC has created a unique and energetic research environment with world top-class researchers, a fullyequipped facility and an effective research support system. As a member of the WPI Academy, IFReC willcontinue to raise its visibility overseas and international confidence in scientific standards in Japan.
(1) Collaboration with QBiC, CiNet and Institute for Datability Science: Researchers at IFReC
and these other institutes, also located on Suita Campus, are creating new interdisciplinary research fields

Osaka University – 1Immunology Frontier Research Centerto model the immune system as a whole by observing the collective behavior of immune molecules andcells using cutting-edge imaging methods and analyzing the experimentally obtained big data.
(2) Generation of innovative immunotherapies: At IFReC, the application of research outcomes to
medical/clinical immunology has been accelerated through cooperation with Osaka University Hospital. Inaddition, collaboration with companies is advancing the application of basic research results into drug
discovery and development of diagnostic technologies. Listed below are major projects at IFReC;- Development of innovative immune-regulating techniques using innate immune mechanisms- Development of innovative cancer immunotherapy to target regulatory T cells- Development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases- Promotion of new drug development with innovative PET/MR and PET/CT imaging- Forefront vaccine development

３．

System for Managing the Research Organization４．

International Circulation of Best Brains

Research organization and management will be conducted as follows to carry out the research strategy
and plan described above.
(1) Maintenance of the WPI research system and operating structure: The current researchorganization and operation structure will be maintained to the extent possible to fully utilize the advantages.
Namely, 1, Top-down decision making by the Director; 2, Use of generous discretionary expenses; 3, The
function of the administrative director; 4, Research Planning and Management Office (RPMO) with researchadministrators (URA) familiar with the needs of researchers; and 5, Administrative staff capable in English.
(2) PI organization with strong potential: New concurrent PIs (Okada, Yamashita, Nagasawa andYamasaki in FY2017, Okada, Takakura and Hara in FY2018 and Fujimoto in FY2019) have been appointed
to encourage the seamless development of basic research to medical/clinical immunology and to promoteinterdisciplinary research further. In addition, it is also vital to maintain a high research standard acrossgenerations. At IFReC, if researchers are able to continue to achieve outstanding research outcomes andpublish papers in top international journals as well as acquiring external funding of 100 million yen peryear, they will be provided with a research environment. IFReC actively promotes young researchers toPI’s in order to steadily inherit research assets from the senior researchers. IFReC established a grant
program for young PIs to challenge research to create a new field of immunology in FY2018.
(3) Promotion of Open-Innovation strategy toward medical and clinical immunology
development IFReC has formed comprehensive collaboration agreements with multiple companies.
Since basic research achievements at IFReC are reviewed by the companies at an early stage, theagreements are expected to promote joint research for applied research. The Open Innovation Strategy
that encourages collaborations with the other companies will advance medical/clinical immunology as wellas promotion of basic research to human immunology and stabilization of the operations base for IFReC.
(4) Enhanced function as a hub for international brain circulation(See 4．International Circulation of Best Brains)(5) Enrichment of the research support system IFReC has significantly extended the experienceof URAs in the WPI program period. Under the comprehensive collaboration agreements, URAs will gain
experience in a different realm. Responsibilities will include; support for collaboration with companies
such as intellectual property and support for advancing translational research; requiring the training andappointment of professionals with a wider range of capabilities to enrich the research support system.

Function as an international brain circulation hub will be enhanced by establishing a virtuous cycle, inwhich career development of IFReC’s young researchers attracts outside researchers to IFReC and assists
the employment of excellent researchers. To establish this virtuous cycle, the following will beimplemented.

Osaka University – 2
Immunology Frontier Research Center

(1) International brain circulation program for young researchers Under the WPI program
IFReC has already supported nearly 100 young researchers on dispatch overseas as well as supportingvisits by international researchers to visit IFReC using the Kishimoto Foundation Fellowship. As a WPI
Academy Center, IFReC will launch the International Brain Circulation Program for Young Researchers toencourage a continuous flow of international brains by sharing acquired experiences through international
exchange among young researchers in IFReC. It is expected to give strong stimulation to research activities
through overseas experience by Japanese researchers and overseas researchers visiting Japan.
(2) Super-postdoc system The acquisition of excellent young researchers is a competition on a global
scale. The low level of remuneration in Japan is a significant barrier to hiring international young
researchers from overseas. For this reason, the Super-Postdoc system will offer remuneration that is 1.3
times that of standard pay.
(3) Establishment and use of Winter School Alumni The Winter School has been hosted by IFReC
and the Singapore Immunology Network since 2012. The young researchers gathered at this school arewithout doubt the future global leaders of immunology. As a host, IFReC will establish an Alumni to follow
the participants’ careers, invite them to IFReC events, and maintain and develop the relationships.
(4) Use and fostering of staff to support the international brain circulation The developmentof the international brain circulation depends on sufficient publicity of research results of young IFReC
researchers, and wide publicity of IFReC’s research activities to attract excellent young researchers.
Effective measures include outreach activities and continuous holding of opportunities to form personnel
networks such as international symposia and the Winter School as well as hiring and training URAs capableof supporting such activities.

５．

Support by Host institution

６．

Financial Measures(1) Establishment of International Advanced Research Institute Osaka University has set up theInternational Advanced Research Institute with the university president at its head. IFReC became apermanent core center within the institute.
(2) Assignment of permanent positions for researchers and staff Osaka University has provided
IFReC with seven administrative staff, and in FY2015, provided tenure positions for overseas researchers(one professor and two associate professors). Further, the university offers five further tenure positions(including two professors) for three laboratories.
(3) Support for University-Industry Collaboration This fiscal year sees the launch of thecomprehensive collaboration agreements and IFReC will promote collaboration with further companies
according to the Open Innovation strategy. The support of the Office for Industry-University Co-Creationof Osaka University is vital to handling intellectual property and managing these agreements and othercollaborations with companies.

Ensuring IFReC operating costs through collaboration with industry IFReC has concluded two
10-year comprehensive collaboration agreements beginning with Chugai and Otsuka. These agreements
mean that operating expenses equivalent to the WPI grant have been secured. Naturally, the accounting
management of these external funds must be done with great care. Expenses for university education andtraining, wider contribution to society and promotion of globalization of the university must be meticulouslymanaged. In particular, support other than salary to researchers is also vital in order to complete themission of a Hub for International Brain Circulation. Expenses and personnel related to support for publicityof research achievements such as conducting outreach activities and hosting symposia etc. are necessary.
Therefore, financial support from Osaka University and MEXT is vital for IFReC to carry out the WPI
missions and contribute to the development of medical/clinical immunology as a world leading WPIAcademy Center.

Osaka University – 3Immunology Frontier Research CenterForm 2WPI Academy Center
Form 2 FY2019 List of Principal Investigators

NOTE:・Underline names of principal investigators who belong to an overseas research institution. Place an asterisk (*) by names of investigators considered to be ranked among world’s topresearchers.
・In case of researchers who newly participated in the center in FY 2017, state it in the "Notes" column.

<Results at July 1st, 2019>
Name

Age

Affiliation(Position title, department, organization)

Principal Investigators Total: 31
Academicdegree
specialty

Starting date ofEffort (%)* participation (joinedIFReC)

Status of participation(contribution)(Describe in concrete terms)

52

DirectorandProfessor,WPI
MD, PhD
Immunology Frontier(ImmunoloResearch Center, and, Graduate Schoolgy)of Medicine, Osaka University

100

01/11/2007

usually stays at the center

66

MD, PhD
Professor, WPI Immunology Frontier(Immunolo
Research Center, Osaka Universitygy)

100

01/10/2007

usually stays at the center

Tomohiro
Kurosaki*

63

MD, PhD
Deputy Director and Professor, WPI (Immunolo
Immunology FrontiergyandResearch Center, Osaka University
molecularbiology)

80

03/12/2007

usually stays at the center

Hisashi Arase*

53

Deputy Director and Professor, WPI MD, PhD
Immunology Frontier(ImmunoloResearch Center, Osaka Universitygy)

70

01/10/2007

usually stays at the center

53

Professor, Graduate School of Medicine,
MD, PhD
WPI(ImmunoloImmunology Frontier Research Center,gy)
Osaka University

1001/10/2007

usually stays at guraduate schoolof medicine

50

Professor The Institute of Medical MD, PhD
Science, The University of Tokyo(Immunolo
Professor, WPI Immunology Frontiergy, Vaccine
Research Center, Osaka UniversityScience)

01/11/2007

join to meetings every twomonths, workshops several times
a year, and symposiums
occasionally.

46

Professor, The Institute of Medical MD
Science, The University of Tokyo, WPI (ClinicalImmunology Frontier
Microbiolog
Research Center, Osaka Universityy specialty)

20

01/04/2008

stays at the center once (1 week)
a month, joint IFReC Management
meetings, at skype meeting threetimes a week.

43

Professor, WPI Immunology Frontier
Research Center, Osaka University

MD, PhD(Immunecelldynamics)

90

01/04/2011

usually stays at the center

40

Professor, Research Institute for
PhD
Microbial(Immunolo
Diseases, WPI Immunology Frontiergy)
Research Center,Osaka University

45

01/04/2012

usually stays at the center

46

NICT Invited Executive Researcher and PhD
Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical (NeurologicFellow (Cambridge University)
al Science)

01/04/2014

He visits IFReC several times/yearto attend symposia, etc. tocontribute to research at IFReC.
He regularly communicates with usby emails.

Jun Hatazawa*

65

Professor, ResearchCenter
forMD, PhD
Nuclear Physics, WPI Immunology(NuclearFrontier Research Center, OsakaMedicine)
University

516/01/2009

stays at the center once a month,
usually stays at Research Center
for Nuclear Physics Osaka
University、RCNP

Kazuya Kikuchi

53

1001/08/2009

usually stays at the center

Masaru Ishii

46

501/12/2008

usually stays at the center

Center director

Kiyoshi Takeda*

Shizuo Akira*Atsushi
Kumanogoh*

Ken J. Ishii*

Cevayir CobanKazuhiro Suzuki

Masahiro
Yamamoto

Seymour
BenjaminJohn

Professor,Graduate
Schoolof PhD
Engineering, WPI Immunology Frontier (ChemicalResearch Center, Osaka UniversityBiology)
Professor, Graduate School of Frontier MD, PhD
Biosciences, WPI Immunology Frontier (Bioimaging
Research Center,Osaka University)

5

10Notes

research for new
radionuclide
development for
medical use

Osaka University -1
Immunology Frontier Research Center(IFReC)

Nicholas Isaac
Smith

44

DaronM.Standley

51

Shigekazu
Nagata*69

Taroh Kinoshita* 67

ShimonSakaguchi*

Takashi Saito*

68

68

Hitoshi Kikutani* 68
Tadamitsu
Kishimoto*

80

PhD
Associate Professor, WPI Immunology
Engineering
Frontier Research Center, Osaka/AppliedUniversityPhysics)
Professor, Research Institute for
PhD
Microbial Diseases, WPI Immunology(Bioinforma
Frontier Research Center, Osakatics)
University
PhD
Professor, WPI Immunology Frontier (Molecular/Research Center, Osaka University
CellBiology)
PhD
Endowed Chair Professor, Research(Immunolo
Institute for Microbial Diseases, WPIgy,Immunology Frontier Research Center,
Biochemistr
Osaka Universityy)
MD, PhD
Professor, WPI Immunology Frontier(Immunolo
Research Center, Osaka Universitygy)
Team leader, RIKEN, Research Center
PhD
forIntegrative Medical Sciences, Professor, (Immunolo
WPI Immunology Frontier Research gy)
Center, Osaka University
MD, PhD
Professor, WPI Immunology Frontier(Immunolo
Research Center, Osaka Universitygy)
MD, PhD
Professor, WPI Immunology Frontier(Immunolo
Research Center, Osaka Universitygy)

90

01/06/2009

usually stays at the center, except
when teaching or during
conference travel30

01/10/2008

usually stays at the center

95

01/04/2015

usually stays at the center70

01/10/2007

usually stays at the center

80

01/04/2011

usually stays at the center

1001/04/2008

join to meetings every twomonths, workshops several times
a year, and symposiums
occasionally.

10001/10/2007

usually stays at the center

7001/10/2007

usually stays at the centerHe visits IFReC several times/year
to attend symposia, etc. tocontribute to research at IFReC.
He regularly communicates with usby emails.
join seminars, symposium, andmeetings (several times a year atIFReC)/ interdisciplinary researchpromotion at
NICT CiNet and Riken

83

Max Planck Fellow

PhD(Immunology)

1001/10/2007

ToshioYanagida*

72

Professor, Graduate School of Frontier PhD
Biosciences, WPI Immunology Frontier (MolecularResearch Center, Osaka UniversityImaging)

501/10/2007

Yukinori Okada

38

Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, MD, PhD
WPI Immunology Frontier Research (BioinformaCenter, Osaka Universitytics)

501/04/2017

conducts research 2 or 3 times aweek at the center

Toshihide
Yamashita

54

Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, MD, PhD
WPI Immunology Frontier Research (NeurologicCenter, Osaka University
al Science)

1501/04/2017

conducts research 2 or 3 times aweek at the center

TakashiNagasawa

57

Professor, Graduate School of Frontier MD, PhD
Biosciences, WPI Immunology Frontier (Immunolo
Research Center, Osaka Universitygy)

2001/04/2017

conducts research 2 or 3 times aweek at the center

50

Deputy Director and Professor, WPI
PhDImmunology Frontier Research Center,(Immunoloand Research Institute for Microbialgy)
Diseases, Osaka University

80

01/04/2017

usually stays at the center

61

Professor, Research Institute forMicrobial Diseases, WPI Immunology PhD(Scienc
Frontier Research Center, Osaka e)
University

50

01/08/2018

stays at the center once a week

New

54

Professor, Research Institute for
PhD
Microbial Diseases, WPI Immunology(MolecularFrontier Research Center, OsakaBiology)
University

50

01/08/2018

usually stays at the center

New56

Professor, Research Institute for MD,PhD(Va
Microbial Diseases, WPI Immunology scular andFrontier Research Center, Osaka StemCellUniversityBiology)

501/08/2018

usually stays beside the center

NewManabu Fujimoto 52

Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, MD.PhD.
WPI Immunology Frontier Research (DermatoloCenter, Osaka Universitygy)

1501/04/2019

usually stays at guraduate schoolof medicine

NewFritz Melchers*

Sho Yamasaki

Masato Okada

Eiji Hara

Nobuyuki
Takakura*Percentage of time that the principal Investigator will devote to his/her work for the center vis-à-vis his/her total working hours (total time for whole working activities including education, medical services, andothers as well as research).

Osaka University -2
Immunology Frontier Research Center(IFReC)

Researchers unable to participate in the center in FY 2017
Name

Affiliation(Position title, department, organization)

Starting date ofparticipation

Osaka University -3
Immunology Frontier Research Center(IFReC)

Appendix 3

World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
Diagram of management system
President,
Osaka University

International
Advanced
Research
Institute

IFReC
International
Scientific Advisory
Board

Director
AnimalResource

Board ofRepresentatives

DeputyDirectors

Management
Committee

Research
Planning &Management
OfficeAdministrative
Director
Administrative
Department
GeneralAffairs
SectionAccounting
SectionResearchSupport &Management

Core
Instrumentation
Facility
RI
Experimental
StationNetwork
Administration
OfficeResearch
Institute forMicrobial
Diseases(RIMD)

Partner
Institutions

Osaka University -1

IFReC