Dr. Fujita (left) and Dr. Fukami (right)
The Advisory Board Meeting of the Inamori Research Institute for Science (InaRIS) Fellowship Program was held at the Inamori Foundation in Kyoto, on October 4. There the committee members and the fellows had a discussion over their research themes.
The InaRIS Fellowship Program was established in 2019 to encourage researchers to pursue their curiosity and engage in research with a grand vision and great potential, rather than seeking short-term results. The program grants 10 million yen per year over 10 years, totaling 100 million yen.
In this meeting, the 2022 InaRIS fellows (material science) Shunsuke Fukami (Professor, Tohoku University) and Daishi Fujita (Associate Professor, Kyoto University), the 2021 fellows (life science) Hiroshi Nishimasu (Professor, The University of Tokyo) and Yoshifumi Yamaguchi (Professor, Hokkaido University) held presentations about summary and progression of their research, and discussed with the committee members and fellows.
Firstly, Dr. Fukami talked about his attempt to realize non-von Neuman computer developing devices by using spintronics technology and artificially controlling them.
Next, Dr. Fujita introduced self-assembled molecular cages that enables to utilize functional protein outside organisms by protecting each single fragile molecule of protein.
Third speaker, Dr. Nishimasu made a presentation about exploration and application of RNA-dependent enzymes, known as Cas enzymes, and introduced the latest results of structural analysis of one of Cas, Cas7-11 and development of its artificial variant Cas7-11S.
Final speaker, Dr. Yamaguchi introduced research to explore key molecular biological factors of mammal hibernation, using comparison between physiological data and gene expression patterns characteristics of hibernation, obtained from model animal experiments.
Fellows and committee members eagerly exchanged their opinions such as direction of research during the meeting, which was filled with intellectual excitement.