Waka Nakanishi

Dr. Nakanishi says that her journey on the road to be-

structure. Technologies for synthesizing submicron-sizedcoming a researcher began with the childhood question,

machines are still in the early stages of development"How can medicine work, when the drug you take is soworldwide, but she is working in cooperation withsmall?" After mastering pharmacology, the feeling that she

researchers in a variety of fields, including nanostructured

wanted to pursue more fundamental principles becamematerials, protein engineering, and others.

stronger, and she changed her course from the doctoral

Dr. Nakanishi also has the face of the mother of two

program in pharmacology to chemistry. Now she consid-

children who go to nursery school. By taking advantage

ers it an advantage that she can design, synthesize,of the NIMS support system for researchers engaged

and provide new molecules with the desired functions

in parenting, she can keep an environment where shein diverse fields, from life science to materials science,

can devote her total attention to her research. Smilingbased on the foundation of synthetic organic chemistry.

softly, she says "It's a great help that I was assigned

Although this is her second year since arriving at

an assistant" and "Time management has become very

MANA, she has the impression that "it's easy to do joint

demanding since I had children." And she adds, "Evenresearch with other fields, utilizing one's own expertise."being a girl, when one feels that science is interesting, it's

One example is the development of a nanomachine using

important to create a society where she doesn't have toa self-assembly function originating from the molecular

abandon the road to continue research."

Teruo Kishi

No.18, Eng. Ed., Issued in October, 2014

International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA)
c/o National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044 Japan
Phone : +81-29-860-4710

URL : http://www.nims.go.jp/mana/

2

Asking the Reseacher The Future of Science,Perspective in

6

Leader’s Voice Innovate in Japan with a Global Perspective /5

Research Outcome 1 Scanning Probe Microscopy with Multiple

9

Research Outcome 2 Quantum Dot for Bioimaging: Opportunities

Supermolecules / Katsuhiko Ariga
Teruo Kishi“CONVERGENCE” is the keyword used to symbolicallydescribe the entire project of MANA, where outstanding
researchers from around the world assemble and converge
in the “melting pot” research environment to bring together
key technologies into nanoarchitechtonics for the creationand innovation of new functional materials.

Facsimile : +81-29-860-4706
Email : mana-pr@ml.nims.go.jp

The Future of Science,
Perspective in Supermolecules
Katsuhiko Ariga
Innovate in Japan
with a Global Perspective

MANA Scientist, MANA Supermolecules Group, Supermolecules Unit,
Nanomaterials Field. Dr. Nakanishi received her doctorate (Ph.D., Chemistry)from the University of Tokyo, Schoolof Science in 2005. Prior assuming to
her present position in 2013, she wasan Assistant at the Graduate School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University and a Lecturer at the Graduate
School of Science, Tohoku University.
Her specialty is organic chemistry.

Outreach Team

No.18

Cover : MANA Principal Investicator, Katsuhiko Ariga andyoung researcehrs at WPI-MANA Building

Probes / Tomonobu Nakayama
and Concerns / Francoise M. Winnik

10
11 NEWS & Topics
12 Emerging MANA Researcher Waka Nakanishi

Progress of MANA Female Researchers, Come On!

© All rights reserved. No part, including articles, figures, and tables herein, may be

2014

OCTOBERWhat is"supramolecular" chemistry?

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"Technology that is useful"and "Science that pursues dreams.""The ultimate materials may actually be the biological

Dr. Ariga says that he is "conscious of two concepts" inmaterials that have created us. Living organisms are autono-

research. "One is 'technology that is useful' and the othermous and can also reproduce. They respond to stimuli fromis 'science that pursues dreams.' Living as a scientist who

the outside world. The mechanism that makes biological ac-

does research that only he is doing, that only he can do, andtivity possible is not the product of a serial arrangement of in-continuing that research based on free conception become adividual molecules; it's the result of judgments and responses

motivation."by the total organism, in which various molecules are interre-

As an example of Dr. Ariga's "technology that is

lated," says Dr. Ariga. For example, in the flagellar motors ofuseful," the development of a technology for visualizing

bacteria, a machine-like system is created naturally when an

radioactive cesium can be mentioned. After this research

extremely large number of protein molecules come together.

was announced in the media at the end of 2012, reagentsThe result of this process, in which molecules come together

were marketed by private companies within six months andto form assemblies that manifest functions not possible inreached practical application with exceptional speed. With

single molecules, is called a "supermolecule." "The lipids,

radiation detectors and other physical techniques, it is notproteins, and saccharides that make up living organisms are

possible to see the presence of cesium visually, and there

all combinations of many individual molecules and have theare limits to spatial resolution. In contrast, Dr. Ariga realized amechanism of supermolecules which can display feedback

technique for visualizing cesium with micrometer level resolu-functions."tion by designing a fluorescent probe, "Cesium Green," which

Dr. Ariga began full-scale research on supermolecules

is a supermolecule that distinguishes only cesium (Fig. 1).

at the beginning of the 1990s, and he participated as GroupIn the spring of 2014, the intracellular distribution of

Leader in the Japan Science and Technology Agency's

cesium was successfully visualized (Fig. 2) by utilizing

International Cooperative Research Project (ICORP) [a1]Cesium Green in plants that had absorbed cesium. Various"Supermolecules Project," which began in 1992. He also

other applications are also expected in the future, such as

participated in the symposium "Supramolecular Chemistry:

detection of the cesium distribution in foods which have been

100 Years of the Lock-and-Key Principle," which was held incontaminated by radiation, and in animals and humans which

Mainz, Germany in 1994. The main topic of that international

have ingested those foods.

symposium was the fact that "lock-and-key principle," which
was proposed in connection with enzyme reactions, etc.,
grew into the concept of supermolecules over its history ofFig. 1 Molecular structure of the cesium probe, "Cesium Green,"
for detection of cesium. When the supermolecule contains
cesium, it emits a green light.

almost 100 years, and was the subject of the Nobel Prizein 1987. Dr. Ariga says that he senses that a new current
arose in supermolecules, with that 100-year anniversary as aturning point.
In actuality, following this, heightened expectations wereplaced on supermolecules in the life science and medical
fields. The fact that supermolecules would play an importantrole in nanotechnology was also recognized. As a result,even greater attention was focused on supramolecular chem-

Fig. 2 Fluorescent image of a seed leaf of cress thale (Arabidopsis
thaliana) obtained by dripping a Cesium Green methanol
solution. Bright fluorescent light can be observed from parts
that are considered to be vacuoles in cells.

Vol.18

istry. Dr. Ariga became a key person at MANA and is leading
the development of innovative supermolecule-based materi-October

Pro fi l e

One cellals which are without precedent anywhere in the world.

Dr. Ariga completed his Ph.D. in engineering at the Tokyo

Detection ofcesiumexisting
locally
in a vacuole

Institute of Technology Graduate School of Engineering in
1987. After working for the Tokyo Institute of Technology,
the University of Texas at Austin, the Japan Science andTechnology Agency (JST), the Nara Institute of Scienceand Technology, etc., Dr. Ariga joined NIMS in 2004. He
has held his present position since 2007. He is a Fellow of
the English Royal Society of Chemistry and was selected
as one of 101 Japanese in Thomson Reuters' "World's Most

Interviewer : Akio Etori, Science Journalist

Influential Scientific Minds."

200 µmTomonobu Nakayama

On the other hand, the creation of "hand-operating nano-

To the science and technology ofthe future by "nanoarchitectonics"

technology" is an example of "science that pursues dreams."
In 2010, Dr. Ariga developed a "Supermolecular system

Principal Investigator / Nano-System Field

Scanning Probe Microscopy
with Multiple Probes

for grasping molecules with the human hand" (Fig. 3). This
makes it possible to bend or stretch a molecular machine by

In June of this year, Dr. Ariga published a book entitledpushing it with the human hand, and to capture and release"Materials Revolution: Nanoarchitectonics" for general read-different small molecules in water.

ers (introduced on p. 11 of this issue of Convergence). As Dr.

This was realized by Dr. Ariga's original concept of
reducing the movement of molecules from the 3-dimensional– from Nanocharacterization to Nanosystem Operation

Ariga says, "Since the concept of nanotechnology is becoming stereotyped, here, we must achieve a breakthrough."

Scanning tunneling microscope revolution

positions as necessary, is considered an indispensable technique forworld to the 2-dimensional world. In other words, if molecules"We need to change our paradigm from the viewpoint ofare arranged as a supramolecular thin film, and the spatialconventional nanotechnology, which considered the functions

The first scanning tunnelling microscopes (STMs) developed 30

the study of nanosystems. Researchers at MANA also demonstrated

dimension in the height direction is brought infinitely closeof individual nanoscale structures separately, to a total view-

years ago provided images with a scale of detail that catalysed a new

multiple-probe scanning probe microscopes (MP-SPMs) that canto zero, it is possible to couple large in-plane material-level

point that focuses on unknown functional linkages that are

field of scientific endeavour in nanotechnology. Now, research atoperate both as STMs or atomic force microscopes with carefully

movements and the molecular level action in the film direc-

produced by accumulating interactions without knowing what

MANA is contributing significantly to developments of the technology

designed tuning fork probes (Fig. 2). These developments further

tion. If the film is manually compressed from the side, thewill occur, which is due to the unique indeterminacy of theto produce a potent tool box for simultaneously mapping the topogra-

extend the range of environments which the multiple probes can beopen molecular machine will try to take the smallest possible

nano size. In our exploration of the nanoscale world, we havephy and electrical properties of individual nanomaterials. Theseused, bringing a powerful versatility to studies of nanoscale systems.

structure. As a result, it will assume a cavity structure, and income to the time when we must aim at a change from simple

devices not only reveal valuable information on nanomaterial proper-

Furthermore, MP-SPM will be used as an interface to nanosystems

this process, it will capture molecules in the water (Fig. 4).

technology, i.e., nanotechnology, to a total architecture, inties for designing new systems through nanoarchitectonics, but also

such as neuromorphic networks for example. MANA is extending

It is also conceivable that the same phenomenon canother words, nanoarchitectonics." In this connection, it's worth

make it possible to explore the emerging functionalities of the createdthe possibilities of MP-STM beyond the limits of measurement, andalso be realized not only in water, even by using a film thatmentioning the Dr. Ariga and Dr. Richard Feynman, who issystems.

making efforts to establish new technologies that will operate nano-can be expanded and contracted freely, and Dr. Ariga is now

the father of nanotechnology, share the same birthday.

Masakazu Aono, Tomonobu Nakayama and their colleagues suc-developing a portable type system. The day when ordinary

Dr. Ariga also wants the more general public to under-

cessfully developed a double-probe scanning tunnelling microscope

people can easily perform nanotech operations by hand, fromstand how important science is. This is because he hopes(DP-STM) for the first time in the late 1990s. Each probe wassensing and capture of poisons to transmission of electricalthat society will recognize not only science and technology

mounted on a piezo actuator to allow independent control of theirsignals via chemical substances, may not be far off!

that are immediately useful, but also, as an investment in thepositions (Fig. 1). Successful use of the DP-STM hinged on having

future, science that does not fear failure. Dr. Ariga believes

an accurate knowledge of the location of each probe, which the teamthat it is precisely this recognition of science by society that

achieved by harnessing the STM imaging capabilities of the common

will nurture an environment in which scientists with new ideas

area on the sample with different probes. They also achieved signifi-

can devote themselves wholeheartedly to their research.

cant reduction of the interprobe distance down to the order of 10 nm"Even if people call you foolish, follow your dream. And if you

while retaining sufficient mechanical stiffness by adding a tungsten

sometimes seem to be a heretic, pursue what only you canoxide nanorod to the apex of each probe.

Fig. 3 Supramolecular system for grasping molecules withhuman hand.

do. For Japanese science and technology to make further
progress, we have to create a society where that's accepted."

Two probes are better than one

systems realized by nanoarchitectonics.

Fig. 1: The world-first double-probe scanning tunnelling microscope
further improved at MANA.

The ability to measure electrical properties between accurately
controlled points using a double-probe STM has provided valuable
Fig. 4 Mechanism of the supramolecular system for grasping molecules with the human hand. When asupramolecular thin film on the surface of water is made to contract or expand by the movement of thehuman hand in our human world, corresponding to this, the molecular machine captures or releases atarget molecule in the nano world.
Contraction

a)

b)
3

tools for seminal electronic studies of nanosystems. Systematic

2studies of the length dependence of carbon nanotube conductance1

demonstrated the transition to ‘ballistic’ transport - where electrical

2

3

4

resistance is essentially zero - as the distance between the two points

Expansionis reduced. While this kind of electrical property is important for appliSupramolecularthin film

cation, it could not be measured with a single probe STM.

Vol.18

Our human world

Multiple probes, multiple benefits
It might seem that measurement like that described above canOctoberalso be realized by fabricating fixed electrodes by lithography.
Nano world

However, it is impossible to make measurements while changing

Graphene

SiO2 substrate

20 μm

1

4
1 μm

Fig. 2: Schematic diagram of a quadruple-probe atomic force
microscope with tuning fork probes (TFP) enabling measurement of theproperties of graphene with nanoscale precision. a) Schematic diagramof the four TFPs approaching a monolayer graphene flake measured
by QP-AFM. The middle part shows the graphene flake, which is laid
on a SiO2 substrate. b) AFM images (3 ×3 μm2 each) obtained at eachcorner of the graphene by using the four TFPs.

the position of fixed electrodes on the same nano-object. More thananything else, today, when various nanomaterials and nanostructures

Molecular
machineare being created using diverse materials, multi-probe STM whichmakes it possible to place multiple probes that function as electrodes

CaptureTarget molecule

Releasein contact with a specimen at arbitrary positions, and to change those

References:
T. Nakayama, O. Kubo, Y. Shingaya, S. Higuchi, T. Hasegawa, C.S. Jiang, T.
Okuda, Y. Kuwahara, K. Takami and M. Aono, “Development and application ofmultiple-probe scanning probe microscopes”, Adv Mater., 2012, Apr. 3, 24(13),1675-92, doi: 10.1002/adma.201200257.

- What research at MANA do you
give particularly high marks? Will

- Prof. Kishi, you are the former

ments at MANA recently, so it's difficult to

President of the National Institutetalk about evaluation, but for example, I hopefor Materials Science, and you werethat Dr. Takayoshi Sasaki's research results

Since the foundation of the WPI Program

also one of the true parents of MANA.

in nanosheets can contribute to the energy

is basic research, there's an impression that

It has now been more than 7 years

and biomaterials fields. In superconductivity,

its feet are planted more firmly on the groundsince MANA was launched. Do you

the fact that MANA has produced hits

than programs that aim directly at innovation.

feel that MANA is growing as origi-

somehow is interesting. In high temperature

I feel that the WPI Program has succeeded,nally hoped?

superconductivity, in other words, how toin the sense of providing a driving force forbring it closer to materials that can be used at

the country's basic research, because a

Yes, and in fact, MANA's efforts haveroom temperature, is a challenge, and I hopestrong system was created when the program

far exceeded my expectations in somethat this will be realized sometime. Likewise,

was started up.

areas. From what I see, the way MANAin the field of polymers, Dr. Katsuhiko Ariga's

The original five WPI centers, including

has established directions for research, forgroup and other groups are making a variety

MANA, were only launched in 2007, but I

example, in creating the 4 Research Fields

of efforts, and I feel that they are headed inhear that there is debate about whether toof "Nano Materials," "Nano Systems," "Nanoa good direction. Atomic switches are also

extend their support period or not, and I'm

Power," and "Nano Life," and identifying themoving toward practical application.

somewhat anxious about that. Because new

MANA produce a Nobel Prize?
I haven't kept up with all the develop-

Teruo Kishi
Interviewer : Akio Etori, Science Journalist

Vol.18
Teruo Kishi- How do you feel about Japan's
WPI Program?

5 key tools of nanoarchitectonics that support

If an achievement wins the Nobel Prize,

research buildings have been purposely

those fields, can be considered extremely

there's a tendency in Japan to consider it

built and outstanding research environments

good. The Director-General, Prof. Aono, hasperfect, but to begin with, there are fields

were created, I hope that those concerned

really worked hard in this regard. Where thewhere it's easy to win the Nobel Prize, andwill also provide an appropriate support

research system is concerned, the achieve-

others where it isn't. For that reason, it's

period. This situation can also be seen inments of the Chief Operating Officer, Prof.

difficult to say anything. In any case, inthe competition between centers, but since

Bando, were also quite large. Prof. Bando

research, there are eight ways to succeed

the respective WPI centers are involved innurtured the original International Center forand eight ways to fail, so to speak, and suc-research in completely different fields, I feelYoung Scientists which NIMS inaugurated incess isn't all that easy. If we were successfulthat an evaluation is difficult. It's like asking

2003, and made its successor organization,

every time, science would make too muchabout the relative superiority of two things

the International Center for Young Scientists,

progress. (Laughs) Considering that, I thinkthat can't be compared, like which is better,or ICYS, the foundation for training young

MANA is putting up a good fight under thea Persian cat or a bulldog?

MANA researchers. Internationalization is an

new concept of "nanoarchitectonics," andimportant keyword in Japan, and MANA has

producing good results across the board in- Could you tell us your thinking

confronted the challenges of internationaliza-

basic research fields. Of course, the basic

on science and technology policy intion head-on.

researches with a clear purpose will lead toJapan?

In this way, MANA has become theOctober

Advisor of the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and Professor Emeritusof the University of Tokyo. Prof. Kishi received the degree of Doctor of Engineeringfrom the School of Engineering of the University of Tokyo in 1969. His specialty ishigh reliability materials. Among his various positions, he has served as AssistantProfessor and Professor of University of Tokyo, Director of the Research Center
for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), University of Tokyo, and Director
General of the National Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research, Agency
of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Ministry of International Trade andIndustry (MITI). He was President of NIMS from 2001 to 2009. He is currently Chairof the Japanese Society for Strength and Fracture of Materials, President of theInnovative Structural Materials Association, and Director of the Cross-ministerial
Strategic Innovation Promotion Program, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan.

Time to "reset"
Japan as a whole

MANA- confronted thechallenges ofinternationalization head-on

the innovation in the next generation.

greatest treasure of NIMS, not only standing

There are two things that I'd like to recom-shoulder to shoulder with Japan's first classmend to the current government. One isuniversities, but also enjoying a global

strengthening the Council for Science, Tech-

reputation. Objectively, as well, I think that

nology and Innovation. At present, the fields

MANA's presence is evident.

of space, nuclear power, marine sciences,

Innovate in Japan
with a Global Perspective

Francoise M. Winnik
Principal Investigator / Nano-Life Field

and large-scale machinery and equipment

duct is currently receiving consider-person, an attitude of returning to the startingare outside the purview of this council and asable attention. You served as thepoint and doing new things and trying thingsa result, they only have influence on one-third

Chair of the Reform Committee forthat others aren't doing is necessary. It's alsoof Japan's science and technology budget.

Prevention of Research Misconduct

a problem that the post-doctoral period is too

These fields should also be brought together

at RIKEN. Could you give us yourlong, and it would be better if people didn't

to create a "total" council in the true sense.

opinion on the situation in which

hesitate to go into private companies.

The second thing is to raise the question ofJapan now finds itself?
- Finally, what is your advice forwhat to do about large scientific research
cities. Of course, Tsukuba where NIMS is

Quantum Dot for Bioimaging:
Opportunities and Concerns

Frankly speaking, I have the impression

the future growth of MANA?

Features of QDs

Towards safer in-vivo imaging with silicon nanoparticles

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are brightly luminescent nano-

Recently, in collaboration with N. Shirahata (MANA Independent

located, Keihanna or Kansai Science City,

that research misconduct is on the increase

and also Okinawa should be considered.

in Japan as a whole. Although research is

MANA has realized the leading interna-

particles that have found numerous applications in bioanalysis and bio-

Scientist), we undertook to prepare water-dispersible silicon nanopar-

originally a process of producing and publish-tional environment in Japan. However, it

imaging, where they offer non-trivial advantages: the brightness needed

ticles (SiNPs) in view of their low inherent toxicity compared to heavy
elements semiconductor QDs. Like QDs, SiNPs exhibit high brightness,

Looking back on the past, until the 1980s,
Japan was playing catch-up. Around 1990,

ing research results, there is a tendency

would be good if the world's real super-elite

for sensitive detection, the photostability needed for tracking dynamic

there was strong pressure from the United

for simply publishing papers to become theresearchers could come to MANA more

processes, the multiplexing capability required to elucidate complex

tunable light emission, great stability against photo-bleaching, and are
amenable to conjugation with biomolecules. In addition, SiNPs ofStates to put greater effort into common

purpose of research. An attitude of cutting

frequently on sabbaticals, whether it's formechanisms, and the nanoscale interface needed for biomolecular en-

infrastructural technologies, and in response,

corners and trying to publish as many papers

3 months, or for 1 month. In comparison

gineering of probes and sensors. Researchers anticipate that QDs will

suitable size and surface chemistry exhibit near IR emission allowing

Japan enacted the Science and Technology

as possible probably tends to encouragewith Oxford and Cambridge and similar

be increasingly used, not only in clinical applications, but also in various

deep-tissue imaging, a requirement for in-vivo imaging.
This journey in the world of photoemissive NPs led us from frustra-

Basic Law in 1995. Almost 20 years haveactual misconduct. This seems to show theinstitutions, I feel that the global exchangemanufactured products. For example, QD-solar cells have emerged

passed since that time, and I think that

effects of falling into the pay-for-performanceof human resources is still a bit insufficient.

as viable contenders to complement, or replace, dye-sensitized solar

tions as we were faced to the pervasive cytotoxicity of the first genera-

Japan now has a full-blown case of systemic

system and the general rush to win competi-

I hope that MANA will become a place thatcells. CdTe/CdS thin film cells have already captured approximately 10tion QDs to opportunities for safe in-vivo imaging by taming the chemistry of SiNPs.

materials and nanotechnology researchers

the rise of China, but after 20 years, and thewe live in at present, but it is an extremely

feel they must visit at least once.

how the novel and technologically-attractive properties of QDs correlateaccompanying systemic fatigue, it's time todifficult problem.

"reset" Japan as a whole.
People often mention "review of Independent Administrative Institutions or IAIs," andthe like, but in addition to R&D related IAIs,
Research Institutes and Centers of Japanese

Global human resources
development and exchangesof human resources

Tsukuba is a key area, including from thewith the interactions that take place at the nano/bio interface. The

viewpoint of strengthening Japan's innovation

academic, industrial, and regulatory communities are actively seeking

and industrial competitiveness. In this, MANA

answers to the growing concerns on the impact of nanotechnology on

should give its best efforts to basic and fun-humans.

damental research, without losing the focus
of its position, while also making actively

The cytotoxicity of QDs: current mechanistic understanding

National Universities and National Joint-Use- Where young researchers arepreparations to ensure a smooth transition to

Since the early 2000’s, we have contributed to the understanding

Research Facilities exist throughout Japan.

concerned, what is important forpractical application whenever researchersof the mechanisms by which semiconductor QDs can damage

In this situation, no large improvement canhuman resources development?

produce good results. In the future, I hopecells, including oxidative stress elicited by reactive oxygen species

be expected by focusing only on the IAIs. For

that you will continue to play an active role,(ROS) and the minute amount of cadmium ions leached in the QDs

as a division that supports the foundations ofenvironment. We have demonstrated the role of the QDs ligands

NIMS.

in guiding the uptake and release of QDs by cells. Currently, we,Vol.18Octoberexample, in addition to NIMS, there are also

The largest problem for Japan today is theother large research centers in the materials

quality of people with doctoral degrees. The

field, namely, the Institute for Materials

tendency among outstanding people to stopand others, are gathering evidence that nanomolar concentrations

Research and the Institute of Multidisciplinary

at the master's degree and not to go on toof cadmium-containing QDs may exert genotoxic, epigenetic, andResearch for Advanced Materials, both ofthe doctoral level is also driving this situation.

metallo-estrogenic effects that could cause long lasting, even trans-

which are at Tohoku University, and it is nec-

If researchers don't aim in an independent

generational, damages.

essary to think about these research centers

direction from an early stage, they'll neverPrior to biological investigations with these materials, an indispens-in a total way. This doesn't mean merging

be able to stand on their own two feet.

able step must be the full characterization of nanoparticles (NPs),

their organizations, but the role of the respec-

However, since there's a tendency in Japan

including their concentration, size, charge, and ligand stability intive organizations should be studied, while

not to question authority, that's difficult. In the

biological media and in the presence of serum proteins. In this area,

considering the research and development

educational system in doctoral programs, I

we have promoted the use of asymmetrical flow-field flow fractionation

strategy of Japan as a whole. Unless we dothink we should introduce the kind of systems(AF4) to monitor the aggregation status of QDs in serum and biologicalthis, we can't hope to compete with rivals likethat are used in other countries and create

media and to define the “biological identity” of QDs, which drives thethe United States and China.

a system on that basis, for example, byinteractions of QDs with cells, affects their cytotoxicity, and is often very

increasing the number of academic advisors

different from the identity of pristine QDs.

- Looking at the development ofto two, and not including the advisors in thescience and technology in Japan, theexamination of the doctoral dissertation.

issue of preventing research miscon-

If I could advise on the side of a young

Prof. Kishi in his young days

Serumproteins

160

1.0

120
80

0.5

40
0.0

Rh (nm)tive funding. Perhaps that's the kind of period

UV absorbance (a.u.)

fatigue. One cause of that fatigue, after all, ispercent of the global market. Unfortunately not enough is known about

Phagocytosis
inhibitor

0
0

10
20
Elution time (min)Analytical study

30
5min
24hr

Without
inhibitor

20 μm

In vitro study

In-vitro and analytical detection of the extent of QD
agglomeration in serum-containing media
Left: Asymmetric Flow Field Flow Fractionation (AF4) of red QDs dispersed
in serum shows the presence of large aggregates; Right: in vitro experiments, which point to phagocytosis as major QD internalization mechanism, confirm the formation of QD aggregates.
References:
1 F. M. Winnik and D. Maysinger, “Quantum dot cytotoxicity and ways to reduceit”, Acc. Chem. Res., 2013, 46, 672-680.
2 N. Al-Hajaj, A. Moquin, K. D. Neibert, G. M. Soliman, F. M. Winnik and D.
Maysinger, “Short ligands affect modes of QD uptake and elimination in humancells”, ACS Nano, 2011, 5, 4909-4918.
3 A. Moquin, F. M. Winnik and D. Maysinger, “Separation science: Principles andapplications for the analysis of bionanoparticles by asymmetrical flow field-flow
fractionation (AF4)”, Methods Mol. Biol., 2013, 991, 325-41.
4 B. Ghosh, Y. Masuda, Y. Wakayama, Y. Imanaka, J. Inoue, K. Hashi, H. Deguchi, H. Yamada, Y. Sakka, S. Ohki, T. Shimizu and N. Shirahata, “Hybrid whitelight emitting diode based on silicon nanocrystals”, Adv. Funct. Mater., 2014
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201401795.

Female Researchers, Come On!
The creation of a "melting pot" environment where diverse human resources gather is one of themissions of MANA. Many people know that more than half of MANA researchers are non-Japanese,but in reality, MANA is also devoting great effort to training female researchers.

N e wsSelection of 5 MANA Researchers as"Highly Cited Researchers for 2014""Highly cited researchers" are authors of papers whose

Publication of "Materials Revolution:
Nanoarchitectonics" by MANA Principal Investigator Katsuhiko Ariga

number of citations is in the top 1% in each research field in the

MANA Principal Investigator

NIMS has created a framework for female
researchers.

Reuter Thomson Essential Science Indicators database. The

Katsuhiko Ariga recently published anfollowing five MANA researchers were selected as members of thisintroductory book, "Materials Revolu-

still lower than in the United States and European countries, but it

NIMS, which is the host institution of MANA, is also committed

elite group in 2014.

tion: Nanoarchitectonics" (Iwanami

is high in comparison with the Japanese average of 14.4%.* The

to hiring permanent female research staff. Beginning in fiscal year

percentage of female researchers at MANA is also higher among

2013, NIMS established a new framework for permanent researchyounger researchers, with women accounting for more than 1/3 ofstaff, for which only female researchers can apply. In the first

the new paradigm of materials devel-

Junior Researchers.** This is precisely because MANA is commit-

year, a large number of female researchers applied from countries

opment called "nanoarchitectonics"

ted to training young female researchers who will be responsiblearound the world. Among those applicants, Dr. Takako Konoiketo general readers. Dr. Ariga's bookfor science and technology in the next generation.

was hired and assigned to MANA as an Independent Scientist.

MANA also has many female researchers.
At MANA, female researchers comprise 21% of the total. This is* Source: 2014 White Paper on Science and Technology.
** Students of graduate schools (Joint Graduate Schools) that haveconcluded cooperation agreements with NIMS; Junior Researchers
are paid salaries based on participation in NIMS research workPIs

In the year and half since April 2013, a total of 8 new permanent

029627-4 C0343), which presents<Materials science>

introduces cutting-edge materials
Katsuhiko Ariga(MANA Principal Investigator)

Yoshio Bando

Dmitri Golberg(MANA Chief Operation Director) (MANA Principal Investigator)

Zhong Lin Wang
(MANA Principal Investigator)<Chemistry>

type computers, photocatalysts aimed at realizing artificial photosynthesis, biomaterials that contribute to medicine, and many more

NIMS has created an employment environment where it is easy

topics in a way that is easy to understand for non-scientific readers.

to work and employees can satisfy the demands of both work and

The new book has been very warmly received, and publication of an
English edition is being studied.

Zhong Lin Wang

Omar Yaghi(MANA Principal Investigator)(MANA Principal Investigator)(Listed in alphabetical order)

system from employees engaged in parenting/nursing care" that

Ev e n t sprovides support to researchers who are raising children or caring
for elderly parents by assigning assistants to those researchers.
The system is available not only to permanent researchers, butStudents

MANA Holds "Summer Science Camp2014"

A wa rd salso to post-docs. During fiscal years 2013-2014, a total of 10
0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Share of female researchers at MANA (%)

40

science research being developed

Consideration of work-life balance.

Employer." In fiscal year 2006, NIMS established a "Support

Postdocs

Cover of the new book by Dr. Ariga,
MANA Principal Investigator

at MANA, including atomic switches that will open the way to brain-

researchers were assigned to MANA, and of these, 4 were female.

parenting, and has received certification as a "Parenting Support

Faculty

Science Library, ISBN978-4-00-

MANA researchers used this system.
NIMS also has a unique system called the "Rechallenge Support System" which supports persons who gave up research due toKazuhito Tsukagoshi, MANA Principal Researcher, and Katsuyoshi
Komatsu, “JSAP Paper Award, The Japan Society of Applied Physics” (Sept. 2014)

parenting or nursing care but now wish to finish an academic
degree. This program is available to persons affiliated with graduate schools with which NIMS has concluded cooperation agree-

From July 29 to 31, MANA held the "Summer Science Camp
2014," which is a camp-type program in which high school students
live and study together for 3 days. A total of 16 young people,
including 8 male and 8 female students, was selected from all parts

New Faceof Japan, and enjoyed "hands-on" practice in observation with thements, and enables such persons to complete their degrees whileelectron microscope, development and processing in the clean

working at NIMS.

room and other topics under the title "Hear, See, and Create: Experiencing Nanoscience." The camp also featured a social gathering

Vol.18with young MANA re-

Dr. Mamiko Kawakita (Senior Engineer, Research and Analysis Office, NIMS)

October

After I received my master's degree, I worked in a private-sector company as an IT specialist, but when
my first child was born and my husband was assigned to work overseas, I moved to Germany and becamea full-time homemaker. After my second child was born, I resumed my studies while working at MANA,
and in 2010, I received my doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering from the Graduate School ofPure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba. Returning to research is not simple in today's Japan.
In fact, it was more difficult than I imagined for a woman to return to work while raising children and doinghousework. However, I was always blessed with people who understood and supported me, and I was able
to realize this big step up in my career. MANA is a wonderful place with an environment that accepts andutilizes diverse human resources.

MANA Scientist
Satoshi Ishii

Independent Scientist
Liwen Sang

ICYS-MANA Researcher
Kota Shibasearchers from othercountries, giving theparticipating highschool students a full
taste of the state-ofthe-art international

ICYS-MANA Researcher
Xuebin Wang

ICYS-MANA Researcher
Hamish Hei-Man Yeung

research environment
at MANA.
TEM observation by camp participants