Division of Life, Medical, Natural Sciences and Technology
Research Division Introduction
With the establishment of the Organization of Advanced and Integrated Research (OAIR)
in 2016, five projects in the life and medical field (Graduate School of Medicine andGraduate School of Health Sciences) have joined this division. In addition, following thecompletion of the Core research project in the 2018 academic year, the "Kaitaku project"system aimed at fostering seeds for next-generation advanced research andinterdisciplinary research utilizing the characteristics of Kobe University was established,
and nine projects were launched to address research themes related to natural sciencein April 2019. We conduct advanced and interdisciplinary educational and research
activities and aim to form a global educational and research base that is highly
regarded internationally.
Projects
Research Theme

Project Leader

International Collaborative Research Center for the Infectious

MORI

Diseases
Signal Transduction Medical Research Aiming to Develop

YasukoTAKUMI

Innovative Prevention,Diagnosis, and Therapy
Fusion Research of Medical Device Production and Medical

Toru
FUKUMOTO

Engineering System
Creation of an Innovative Research Area on Lifelong Mental

TakumiFURUYASHIKI

№
20
21
22
23

Tomoyuki

Health by Multidisciplinary Approaches
Joint Development of a Seamless Healthcare System in Asian

24

Countries: A Proposal for a Future Healthcare System thatTANEMURA Rumi

Innovates Living
KAITAKU

01
KAITAKU

Development of Innovative Sustainable Low-carbonization

UCHIYAMA

Systems
Development of innovative light energy conversion systems by

YusukeTACHIKAWA

hierarchical approach

Takashi
MIUCHI

02
KAITAKU

03
KAITAKU

04
KAITAKU

05
KAITAKU

06

Dark Matter in the Universe
Genome Function in Higher-Order Life Phenomena
The biodiversity and ecosystem service relationship inmagacity rivers

Kentaro
FUKAKI
Hidehiro
USHIMARU Atushi
TSUBOKURA

Digital-Smart Manufacturing

Makoto1

Research Theme№
KAITAKU

07

Project Leader

Deployment of environmentally-friendly nanoparticles to

FUJII

bionics,photonics and electronics

MinoruResearch and Development of Offshore Energy Station to
KAITAKU

08

OHSAWA
Teruo

Renewable Energie

KAITAKU

09

Generate Electric Power and Hydrogen from Offshore
The next generation of agriculture and resource production by

HONDA

Kobe University

KazuhisaInternational Collaborative Research Center for the
Infectious Diseases
Project Leader

MORI Yasuko〜Outline of Research Project〜
We will promote the basic research for development of diagnostic methods andprophylaxis, and also educate young researchers, investigating the Infectious Diseases
in Indonesia. These studies will be done in collaboration with the researchers in Instituteof Tropical Disease (ITD), Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia.
Influenza
The endemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus will be investigatedin Indonesia.
Dengue Fever and HIV Infection
Epidemiological survey and diagnosis of dengue fever and HIV infection: Indonesia isthe largest dengue-endemic country in Southeast Asia, and there are many imported
cases of dengue infection from tourist places such as Bali to Japan. In addition, in
recent years, rapid epidemiological growth of HIV infection has found in Indonesia.
Therefore, we will conduct molecular epidemiological surveys of dengue virus and HIV
across Indonesia. In addition, since no therapeutic agent for dengue has been approved
yet, we will research and develop new antiviral agents and rapid diagnostic methods.
Molecular Epidemiological Study for AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) and Cholera
To investigate the distribution of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE),
which is rapidly emerging worldwide, and cholera, which still has a large number ofvictims in developing countries, and conduct genetic analysis of those bacterial strains.
International infection control measures can be established by using these molecularepidemiological data. In addition, the gene information obtained here will be2

accumulated in the databank and used for the development of new diagnostic andtherapeutic agents.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Norovirus is a major cause of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis worldwide in all age
groups, whereas rotavirus is a major cause of gastroenteritis in infants and young
children. We conduct epidemiological study of norovirus and rotavirus to determine
how these viruses spread though the world and understand the mechanism of viralprevalence. We aim to contribute to establishment of a surveillance system to prevent
vaccine-resistant rotavirus from spreading in Japan.
Human Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) Infectious Diseases
There is no report regarding HHV-6 study in Indonesia. Therefore firstly we will doepidemiological survey of HHV-6 in Indonesia.
Molecular Epidemiological Study of Hepatitis B Virus
In Indonesia, universal vaccination program was introduced in 1990s. However,there are still lots of viral carries even among younger generation. Based on theepidemiological study, the expected results are to clarify the problem of vaccination
system and the potential risk of infection, and ultimately to decrease the viral carries.

Signal Transduction Medical Research Aiming to
Develop Innovative Prevention,Diagnosis, and Therapy
Project Leader

TAKUMI Toru

〜Outline of Research Project〜
We have a super-aged society, and it is an urgent issue to develop more effective andsafe preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic methods against various age-relateddisorders, including cancer, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases (e.g. dimentia),
and immune/inflammatory diseases. For this purpose, there is a need for thedevelopment of more appropriate and effective prevention methods and ultra-early
diagnostic methods based on the molecular etiology and pathology of various age-relateddiseases. Furthermore, it has become evident that most of these diseases can be
attributable to abnormalities in signal transduction molecules and signal transduction
mechanisms.
In this research project, we will focus on cancer signaling, metabolic signaling, brain/mental signaling, immune/inflammatory signaling, and perform seamless analyses at3

cell, tissue, and organ levels as well as comprehensive omics analyses to elucidate thepatho-physiological mechanisms of these diseases, eventually aiming to identify
candidate target molecules for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. From theviewpoint of drug discovery and regenerative medicine, we will develop novel moleculartargeted therapy, using low molecular weight compounds and biologics, and novel
regenerative medicine. Moreover, in this research project we will cooperate tightly
with Institute for Precision Therapy, University of Washington (Seattle, USA) and Nordic
Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo (Norway) to establish an International
Drug Discovery Research Organization.

Fusion Research of Medical Device Production
and Medical Engineering System
Project Leader

FUKUMOTO Takumi〜Outline of Research Project〜
Recently biomedical engineering is a hot-topic, especially in the field of cell biology suchas iPS and molecular target drugs. By contrast, there is no methodology focusing on
how to produce medical devices using medical engineering system. This is because
medical devices could not be produced by clinicians and technicians who produce
medical devices have no connection with clinicians.
Our project targets how to fusion the production of required medical devices andmedical engineering system. This will be achieved by constituting a ʻmedicalengineering partnerships.ʼ More specifically, medical forum will be planned to selectthe research project contributes to much-needed resolution of challenges in clinicalmedicine by involving fresh and distinguished clinicians and technicians. The mostprominent effect of the project is end-to-end medical device production; from clinicalevaluation to commercialization. will be achieved for the first time.

4Creation of an Innovative Research Area on
Lifelong Mental Health
Project Leader

FURUYASHIKI Tomoyuki〜Outline of Research Project〜
Although mental health is essential for well-being and welfare of our society, mental
illness is increasing year by year. In super-aged society with a low birth rate, mental
problems may arise from people of diverse generations and conditions. However,a strategy to solve such problems remains to be established. To promote mental healthin the whole society, this research project aims to conduct multi-disciplinary studies
integrating psychology, social and life sciences, and engineering on the themes about"diversity, empathy and sociality of the mind", "stress resilience and lifestyle habits forthe mind", and "development and aging of the mind". Through collaborations of life,
psychological and social sciences, the principles of mental health and illness will be
elucidated towards development of objective measures of mental states based onneural and physical functions and multidimensional scales of mental problems that arestudied in social sciences. These scales can be applied to develop social interventions
such as community health guidance, nursing, care and rehabilitation, ICT-supported
self-awareness and control, and environmental improvement that may be proposed forour society, and to invent technologies and products for mental health promotion incollaboration with pharmaceutical, food and healthcare equipment industries. With thisstrategy, this research project may be useful to develop prescriptions that cover various
mental problems of our society and to nurture the next-generation of this research area
integrating psychology, social and life sciences, and engineering.

Joint Development of a Seamless Healthcare System in
Asian Countries:A Proposal for a Future Healthcare
System that Innovates Living
Project Leader

TANEMURA Rumi

〜Outline of Research Project〜
The emergence of aging societies is an urgent issue throughout the world. In Asian
countries, measures to deal with aging societies are needed in countries with declining
birthrates and growing proportions of elders, such as South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore,
and China, and in the core ASEAN countries of Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
However, with a population exceeding 500 million people in Southeast Asia, there aremany destabilizing factors, such as social problems caused by economic disparities and5ethnic and religious diversities. The instability is exacerbated by the presence of highly
Infectious Diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, in tropical areas, and many
regions are burdened by their multiple needs to respond to lifestyle-related diseases,
aging, and Infectious Diseases. The unique healthcare and hygiene issues of individual
countries and the region demand a healthcare system that can flexibly respond to eachsituation. Thus, it is vital to create a developmental foundation for educational andresearch environments that cross language, regional, and national borders, and for
educators and researchers to form the core of healthcare sciences in Asia, particularly
women researchers, who often work in care-providing settings.
Kobe University, in the international city of Kobe, has foreign satellites throughout Asia,
including China, Hanoi, and Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. At present, these bases are thefocus of our collaborative and cooperative efforts with ASEAN countries to promote thedevelopment of highly specialized human resources and researchers in the medical field.
This research is characterized by its focus on health and sanitation issues in Asian
countries using the organic collaborative work of the foreign bases of Kobe University
and the joint research networks of foreign universities, research institutions, andinternational organizations, such as the WHO. The seamless healthcare system(Kobe-type healthcare and the medical model) research project uses the current
educational and research approach along with the aforementioned network.
It aims to be the future of health sciences systems that facilitate comprehensive
solutions to issues through project proposals. The projects will conduct surveys andanalyses of the status of the diverse health and sanitation issues, study seamless(combined humanities and sciences in regional and foreign collaborations) methods forcountermeasures, and apply and implement research results at the societal level thatwill yield measurable improvements.

Development of Innovative Sustainable Lowcarbonization Systems
Project Leader

UCHIYAMA Yusuke〜Outline of Research Project〜
Creating a sustainable society is now an urgent issue worldwide. Toward a "low carbon
society", the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the main cause of the global
warming, must be significantly suppressed. In this research project, we bring together
the knowledge of researchers working on fluid mechanics and new material science at
Kobe University and other domestic and foreign institutions, and conduct highlycollaborative subprojects to accomplish a low carbon society though game changing

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technology with accelerating the innovative development of environmental and energy
technologies. Furthermore, with a strong motivation for evaluation, social
implementation and future expansion of the related field, researchers in the fields ofhumanities participate to joint the projects.
The contribution of science and technology is pronouncedly expected for proposing"relaxation measures" to curb greenhouse gas emissions themselves. In addition, as
technological options, we pursue to reduce CO2 emissions with energy generation,energy storage, energy saving, and new "carbon neutral" technologies.
For these purposes, we carry out research and development (R & D) on advanced
technologies based mainly on physical and chemical principles. Our specific themes
cover R & D issues in various stages, from basic researches relevant to the creationof new concepts, to more applied researches by harvesting technological seeds tofeedback the society directly, on new technologies on saving and creating energy.
In particular, we investigate innovative energy generation systems and devices,innovative low energy-loss technology that is more sufficient than existing systems,
energy saving technology for sustainable production of chemical products, conversionof biomass to useful chemical substances, improvement of fuel efficiently, newlow-cost raw material separation technology, long-term CO2 fixation technology, etc.
Through these research activities, we aim for the innovation of the paradigm byestablishing a pathway to low greenhouse gas emission and low carbon society.

Development of innovative light energy
conversion systems by hierarchical approach
Project Leader

TACHIKAWA Takashi〜Outline of Research Project〜
The development of science and technology that utilize renewable solar energy is
one of the most important issues for us to realize a sustainable society. In this project,
we will develop innovative light-to-energy conversion systems, such as highly efficientphotocatalysts for solar hydrogen production, on the basis of a hierarchical multiscale
approach where chemical reaction networks with different time and space scales aredesigned, analyzed, and controlled. To this end, researchers in various fields will
cooperate with each other to promote integrated researches that lead to theestablishment of theories and technologies that go beyond conventional concepts.

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Dark Matter in the Universe
Project Leader

MIUCHI Kentaro〜Outline of Research Project〜"Dark Matter", the unknown matter in the universe, have played an important role forthe formation of the galaxies and stars in the universe during its evolution since the
Big Bang. Despite of a considerable number of efforts, the nature of the dark matter isstill unknown and revealing its particle nature is one of the largest problems in theastrophysics and particle physics of today. There are three experimental approaches to
identify the nature of the dark matter, namely "direct searches", "accelerator
experiments", and "indirect searches". These three approaches are complementary
ones and combination of these approaches is essential for the discovery andunderstanding of the dark matter. This project, "Dark Matter in the Universe" aims
to study the nature of the dark matter covering these three approaches withinternational collaborations such as "XENON", "ATLAS", and "Super-Kamiokande /Hyper-Kamiokande" together with "NEWAGE" and "Graine" lead by the Kobe University.

Genome Function in Higher-Order Life Phenomena
Project Leader

FUKAKI Hidehiro〜Outline of Research Project〜
Multicellular organisms are composed of various cell types and tissues / organs
specialized for their functions, and have complex forms that are characteristic of eachspecies. For example, mammals including humans develop organ systems such as limbs,
brain, nervous system and digestive system based on the body axis established inembryogenesis, and realize a body plan possessed by an adult. On the other hand,in vascular plants including seed plants, only a few organs are generated during
embryogenesis, and after sprouting, organs such as roots, stems, leaves, and flowers
are repeatedly born to form morphologies according to the growth environment.
Regardless of animals and plants, multicellular organisms can respond appropriately tovarious stresses in the environment in which they grow (abiotic stresses such astemperature, moisture, light, radiation, and gravity, and biological stresses such as
pathogens), thereby allowing them to continue life. However, the details of the genomic
functions responsible for these higher-order biological phenomena (construction andmaintenance of multicellular organisms, environmental responses, etc.) have not yet
been elucidated even at the time when life science has made great progress.

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In this KAITAKU project, we will clarify the genomic functions responsible for higherorder life phenomena found in multicellular organisms, taking advantage of theadvantages of various model experimental organisms (animals and plants).
In particular, we will clarify the expression mechanism of genome function throughspatiotemporal control of genome information and epigenome information at the cell,tissue, organ, and individual level, as well as cultured mammalian cells, small fish,
vascular plants, non-vascular plants, and filamentous fungi, and find commonality anddiversity of genome functions based on knowledge from various species.
Main research① Elucidation of genome function in higher-order life phenomena of animals
1.1

Elucidation of the mechanism of construction and maintenance of multicellularanimals using small fish and cultured mammalian cells

1.2

Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in processing of genome
damage and pathogenesis caused by their failure② Elucidation of genome function in higher-order life phenomena of plants
2.1

Elucidation of the mechanisms of development and environmental response ofmulticellular vascular plants using Arabidopsis thaliana

2.2

Elucidation of the mechanisms of development and environmental response of
Marchantia polymorpha

2.3 Elucidation of genome maintenance and environmental response mechanism
in filamentous fungi

The biodiversity and ecosystem service
relationship in magacity rivers
Project Leader

USHIMARU Atushi〜Outline of Research Project〜
Today, more than 50% of world's population lives in city areas and a proportion ispredicted to increase up to ca. 70% in 2050. During the last decades, the rapid
urbanization with drastic economic growth have caused an increase in developed lands
and subsequent loss and degradation of diverse ecosystems globally. This, in turn, leads
to loss of ecosystem services, which provide various benefits for humans. Especially,urban rivers are an ecosystem which have been heavily modified with channel
straightening and consolidated embankment and whose biodiversity is currently under
threat.

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In the project, we investigate the biodiversity-ecosystem service (BES) relationship inrivers of the Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area, the second megacity area in Japan.
We examine urban river biodiversity (freshwater fish and insect diversity) and ecosystemservices by combining environmental survey DNA methods, GIS technique and aninternet-based social survey. Especially, we will pay attention to "cultural ecosystemservices" which have rarely been evaluated in urban ecosystems.

Digital-Smart Manufacturing
Project Leader

TSUBOKURA Makoto〜Outline of Research Project〜
Through the first, second, and third industrial revolutions caused by the steam engine,electric power, and digital technology, respectively, our world economy has been
supported by mass production and mass consumption. However, in order to maintaininternational competitiveness as an industrial power, while ensuring sustainable
development under the circumstances of global environmental problems and decreasein population in the developed countries, it is indispensable for Japanese industry torealize a new tailor-made manufacturing system, which will give added value to various
industrial products by responding each consumer′s preferences and needs.
In fact, the fourth industrial revolution will expect to be promoted by making
manufacturing process smarter, which will be realized by three key technologies:
rapidly growing IT technology represented by "Internet of Things", "big-data analysis","AI" (Artificial Intelligence), and Cyber Physical Systems; Computer-Aided-Engineeringand digital manufacturing technology based on the 3D modelling/printer and simulation;
Smart-factory/Supply-chain technology.
In this project, we focus on design, production-system and processing technologies as
the three main pillars of supporting manufacturing. Our main purpose is to construct
the framework of next-generation "digital-smart" manufacturing by coupling thesethree technologies with state-of-the-art digital techniques. We also discuss their validity
and the way that the new technologies work in the future.

10Deployment of environmentally-friendly
nanoparticles to bionics, photonics and electronics
Project Leader

FUJII Minoru〜Outline of Research Project〜
In this project, researchers in different disciplines (applied chemistry, material science,
medical science and electronics) gather together to explore bionics, photonics andelectronics applications of novel nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanocrystals,
quantum dots and nanowires developed within the group. Through this project, we willdevelope a foundation for continuously generating new materials and technologies
that contribute to realize a sustainable society.

Research and Development of Offshore Energy
Station toGenerate Electric Power andHydrogen from Offshore Renewable Energies
Project Leader

OHSAWA Teruo〜Outline of Research Project〜
Japan has the 6th largest economic exclusive zone in the world, and the development ofoffshore renewable energies, which are non-fossil, non-nuclear and non-foreign energies,
are expected to contribute to the reductions of greenhouse gases and radiation
contamination risks and the improvement of energy self-sufficient rate. In order toinstall a large amount of offshore renewable energies, it is necessary not only to
reduce the installation cost but also to establish the technologies to stabilize the power
output and storage it offshore, because it is difficult to connect them to the onshore
grid due to large fluctuations of power output and long distance to the coast. Our teamhas already started fundamental researches on hydrogen and offshore wind energy,
and we believe that liquefied hydrogen has the potential to be the key technology tostore a huge amount of power output from offshore renewable energies such as
offshore wind energy on a floating system.
Thus, in this project, we conduct fundamental research on the development of an
offshore energy station which can generate green electricity from offshore renewableenergies, produce hydrogen through water electrolysis and store it as liquefied hydrogenfor transportation to land. The R&D of this study consists of five items: 1) installation of
offshore renewable energies, 2) design of floating body system, 3) design of independent
power system, 4) development of hydrogen production system and 5) establishment of11

liquefied hydrogen storage technologies. The final goal of this research is to build
technologies to safely realize all the processes, including power generation fromrenewable energies, energy conversion from electricity to hydrogen, liquefaction ofhydrogen for storage and transportation, on a moving offshore platform. Our team will
undertake this research in cooperation with relevant companies.

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The next generation of agriculture and resource
production by Kobe University
Project Leader

HONDA Kazuhisa〜Outline of Research Project〜
The goal of this project is to develop and implement the next generation of agriculture
and resource production, including Wagyu, chicken, and Japanese sake brewing rice.
We also aim at improving the production system by combining breeding techniques foranimals and plants. Other aims include: the development of high value-added Wagyu
beef with high meat quality and palatability, methods to evaluate breeding merit and of
Wagyu rearing systems, the development of high value-added native chickens andagriculture and poultry production systems, the development of the next generation ofbrewing rice and its production system, the development of diagnostic techniques forthe fertilizing potential of bovine spermatozoa, and the development of self-compatible
pear cultivars without artificial pollination. In addition, we will hold an international
workshop, help students planning to study abroad or participate in international
conventions, and hold a seminar for master's students in order to spread our innovative
approach and develop young scientists.

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