Kyoto University co-hosted an On-site Laboratory (OSL) symposium at the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on 14–16 May 2025. The planning was led by the Quantum Nano Medicine Research Center (QNM Center), which is one of the OSLs affiliated with the Center for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), one of the Research Centers of Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS). As the second OSL international symposium to be held in North America, the program was significantly expanded and co-organized by Kyoto University, UCLA (US), and Academia Sinica (Taiwan).
Titled “The UCLA-Kyoto University-Academia Sinica, Pan Pacific Meeting: New Developments in Biomedical Sciences”, the event gathered leading researchers from Japan, the US, and Taiwan to present cutting-edge research findings in biomedical science across a wide range of topics, including tumor immunology, systems biology, chemical biology, and radiation therapy. In addition to the QNM Center, three other OSLs based in the US and Taiwan also participated in the symposium: the Kyoto University Research Center San Diego (Graduate School of Medicine), the iPS Cell Research Center at Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco (Center for iPS Cell Research and Application [CiRA]), and the Center for Integrated Biosystems (iCeMS, KUIAS). With over 900 registered participants, including those based in the Pan-Pacific region, the symposium facilitated vibrant scholarly exchange among the attendees.
The first day of the symposium (14 May) began with opening remarks by Dr Roger Wakimoto, vice-chancellor for research and creative activities of UCLA, President James C Liao of Academia Sinica, and President Nagahiro Minato. They emphasized the significance of this trilateral initiative in fostering robust academic collaboration among Japan, the US, and Taiwan. Two keynote lectures followed: “30 Years’ Journey of My PD-1 Cancer Immunotherapy” by Distinguished Professor Tasuku Honjo of KUIAS (video lecture), and “Cancer Therapy: Target, Modality, and Timing” by Professor Owen Witte of UCLA. Subsequent sessions featured research presentations on immunotherapy and chemical biology. At the conclusion of the day’s program, Professor Kaoru Kitajima, vice-director of the International Strategy Office, outlined the prospects for deepening international research collaboration through platforms stemming from the symposium and the OSL initiatives.
On the second day (15 May), sessions focused on systems biology, tumor biology, cell death, and immunotherapy. This was followed by a keynote lecture titled “Recent Progress in iPS Cell Research and Application”, delivered by Professor Shinya Yamanaka of CiRA. Many UCLA students in medicine and bioscience attended the lecture. They actively participated in the Q&A session, posing insightful questions not only on specific research topics but also about what it takes to be a successful scientist.
The final day (16 May) opened with a presentation by Dr Yusaku Nakabeppu, director of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) San Francisco Office, during which he introduced various international research exchange programs operated by the JSPS. The day proceeded with sessions on topics exploring the future frontiers of medicine and life sciences, including radiation therapy, artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and global research collaboration.
To conclude the symposium, Professor Fuyuhiko Tamanoi of iCeMS, KUIAS, highlighted the dynamic and productive discussions that took place during the symposium, which fostered innovation in the field of biomedical sciences, and expressed appreciation to all participants and contributors.
Over the course of its three days, the symposium reaffirmed the importance of strengthening comprehensive academic exchange and collaborative research across the Pan-Pacific region, among Japan, the US, Taiwan, and beyond.
Vice-Chancellor Wakimoto
President Liao
President Minato
Professor Tamanoi
Keynote lecture by Distinguished Professor Honjo
Keynote lecture by Professor Witte
Keynote lecture by Professor Yamanaka
Keynote lecture
From left: Professor Kitajima, Director Nakabeppu, Mr Kenko Sone, Consul General of Japan in LA, Associate Professor Naoki Kaneko of UCLA, President Minato, Executive Vice-President Tetsuo Sawaragi, Dr Takanori Inose, Consul and Medical Attache of the Consulate General of Japan in LA
Meeting participants
Related link
On-site Laboratories
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