Application for Academy Center Certification
World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
Host Institution

Osaka University

Research CenterImmunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC)

Host Institution Head

Shojiro Nishio

Center Director

Shizuo Akira

Administrative Director

Nobuo Sakaguchi

１．

Overall Image of Your Center２．

Research Activities

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 as having
achieved World Premier Status. In the next 10 years, IFReC will further raise the standard of its world toplevel basic research as a WPI Academy center and will apply the basic research results achieved in order
to contribute back to society.
In April 2017, IFReC entered 10 year comprehensive collaboration agreements with Chugai PharmaceuticalCo., Ltd. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., respectively. These collaboration agreements secure IFReCresearchers 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
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 tomedical/clinical immunology has been accelerated through cooperation with Osaka University Hospital. In

Osaka University – 1
Immunology Frontier Research Centeraddition, 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 Organization

４．

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: Four concurrent PIs (Okada, Yamashita, Nagasawa andYamasaki) have been appointed in FY2017 to encourage the seamless development of basic research tomedical/clinical immunology and to promote interdisciplinary research further. In addition, it is also vitalto maintain a high research standard across generations. At IFReC, if researchers are able to continue toachieve outstanding research outcomes and publish papers in top international journals as well as
acquiring external funding of 100 million yen per year, they will be provided with a research environment.
IFReC actively promotes young researchers to PI’s in order to steadily inherit research assets from thesenior researchers.
(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 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 be implemented.
(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 supporting
visits 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.

Osaka University – 2Immunology Frontier Research Center

(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 – 3
Immunology Frontier Research CenterAppendix 1

World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
List of Principal Investigators

If the number of principal investigators exceeds 10, add columns as appropriate.
Place an asterisk (*) by the name of the investigators who are considered to be ranked among the world’s top researchers.
Give age as of 1 April 2017
For investigators who cannot participate in the center project when its application, indicate the time that their participation will startin the “Notes” column.

Name

1. Shizuo Akira*Age64

2. Tomohiro Kurosaki* 61

3. Hisashi Arase*

51

4.Atsushi Kumanogoh* 50

5. Kiyoshi Takeda*50

6. Ken Ishii*

48

7. Cevayir Coban

44

8. Kazuhiro Suzuki

41

Current affiliation(organization, department)

Academic degreeand current
specialties

Director and Professor,
WPI Immunology
MD, PhD
Frontier Research Center, (Immunology)
Osaka University(Notes)Enter “new” or “ongoing”

Ongoing

Professor, WPI
MD, PhD
Immunology Frontier(Immunology
Ongoing
Research Center, Osaka and molecularUniversitybiology)
Professor, WPI
Immunology Frontier
MD, PhD
Ongoing
Research Center, Osaka (Immunology)
University
Professor, Graduate
School of Medicine, WPI
MD, PhD
Ongoing
Immunology Frontier(Immunology)
Research Center,Osaka UniversityProfessor, Graduate
School of Medicine andDeputy Director, WPI
MD, PhD
Ongoing
Immunology Frontier(Immunology)
Research Center,Osaka University
Director, Center for
Vaccine and Adjuvant
Research(CVAR),
National Institute ofMD, PhD
Biomedical Innovation,(Immunology,Health and Nutrition
Ongoing
Vaccine(NBIOHN),Science)
Professor, WPI
Immunology Frontier
Research Center, Osaka
University
Professor, WPI
MD
Immunology Frontier
Ongoing(Clinical
Research Center, Osaka
Microbiology)
University
Professor, WPI
MD, PhD
Immunology Frontier
Ongoing(Immune cell
Research Center, Osakadynamics)
University

Osaka University - 1

Immunology Frontier Research CenterAppendix 1

9. Masahiro Yamamoto 38

10. Seymour Benjamin
44John

11. Jun Hatazawa*63

12. Kazuya Kikuchi

51

13. Masaru Ishii

43

14. Nicholas Isaac
Smith42

15. Daron M. Standley 49

16. Shigekazu Nagata* 67

17. Taroh Kinoshita*

65

18. Shimon Sakaguchi* 66

Professor, ResearchInstitute for Microbial
Diseases, WPI
PhD
Immunology Frontier(Immunology)
Research Center,Osaka
University
NICT Invited Executive
Researcher andWellcome TrustIntermediate Clinical
PhD
Fellow (Cambridge(NeurologicalUniversity),GuestScience)
Professor WPI
Immunology Frontier
Research Center,Osaka University
Professor, Graduate
School of Medicine, WPI MD, PhD
Immunology Frontier(Nuclear
Research Center,Medicine)
Osaka University
Professor, Graduate
School of Engineering,
PhD (ChemicalWPI Immunology FrontierBiology)
Research Center,Osaka University
Professor, Graduate
School of Frontier
Biosciences, WPI
MD, PhD
Immunology Frontier(Bioimaging)Research Center,Osaka
University
Associate Professor, WPI
PhD
Immunology Frontier(Engineering /Research Center, Osaka
Applied Physics)
University
Professor, ResearchInstitute for Microbial
Diseases, WPI
PhD
Immunology Frontier(Bioinformatics)
Research Center, Osaka
University
Professor, WPI
PhD
Immunology Frontier(Molecular/Cell
Research Center, OsakaBiology)
University
Professor, ResearchInstitute for Microbial
PhD
Diseases, WPI(Immunology,Immunology Frontier
Research Center, Osaka Biochemistry)
University
Professor, and Deputy
Director, WPI
MD, PhD
Immunology Frontier
Research Center, Osaka (Immunology)
University
Osaka University - 2

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Immunology Frontier Research CenterAppendix 1

19. Takashi Saito*

66

20. Hitoshi Kikutani*

66

21.Tadamitsu
Kishimoto*77

22. Fritz Melchers*

80

23. Toshio Yanagida* 70

24. Yukinori Okada

36

25.Toshihide
Yamashita

52

26. Takashi Nagasawa 56

27. Sho Yamasakai

48

Group Director, RIKEN,Research Center for
Integrative Medical
Sciences
PhD
Guest Professor, WPI(Immunology)
Immunology Frontier
Research Center, Osaka
University
Professor, WPI
Immunology Frontier
MD, PhD
Research Center, Osaka (Immunology)
University
Professor, WPIImmunology Frontier
MD, PhD
Research Center, Osaka (Immunology)
University
Max Planck Fellow
Visiting Professor, WPI
PhD
Immunology Frontier
Research Center, Osaka (Immunology)
University
Professor, Graduate
School of Frontier
PhD
Biosciences, WPI(MolecularImmunology Frontier
Research Center, Osaka Imaging)
University
Professor, Graduate
School of Medicine,MD, PhD
WPI Immunology Frontier
Research Center, Osaka (Bioinformatics)
University
Professor, GraduateMD, PhD
School of Medicine,WPI Immunology Frontier (NeurologicalResearch Center, Osaka Science)
University
Professor, Graduate
School of Frontier
Biosciences, WPI
MD, PhD
Immunology Frontier(Immunology)
Research Center, Osaka
University
Professor, ResearchInstitute for Microbial
Diseases, WPI
PhD
Immunology Frontier(Immunology)
Research Center, Osaka
University

Osaka University - 3

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

New

New

New

New

Immunology Frontier Research CenterAppendix 2

World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
The number of Center personnel
FY2017
Principal Investigators

27

Other Researchers

115

Post-Doctor researchers

15

Research Support Staffs

49

Administrative Staffs

25

Osaka University -1

Immunology Frontier Research CenterAppendix 3

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

International
Advanced
ResearchInstitute

IFReC
International
Scientific Advisory
Board

Director
AnimalResource

Board ofRepresentatives

DeputyDirectors

Management
Committee

Research
Planning &Management
OfficeAdministrative
Director
Administrative
Department
GeneralAffairs
SectionAccounting
SectionResearch
Support &Management

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

Partner
Institutions

Osaka University -1

Immunology Frontier Research Center