Overview

Kyoto University’s three on-site labs in North America (the Kyoto University Research Center San Diego (KURC-SD), iPS Cell Research Center at Gladstone Institutes, and Quantum Nano Medicine Research Center) co-hosted a joint symposium titled “Transformative Innovations in Medical and Life Sciences” in collaboration with the university’s International Strategy Office. The symposium was held on February 28, 2023 at the Roth Auditorium of the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine at the University of California San Diego. More than 200 people registered for on-site participation, and 500 for online participation. The attendees included researchers, students, government officials, industry representatives, and Kyoto University alumni, from over ten countries and regions, including the USA, Japan, Brazil, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, India, China, Taiwan, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Palestine. Executives from Kyoto University and the University of California San Diego (UCSD) also attended the symposium, including President Nagahiro Minato of Kyoto University, and from UCSD, Dr. Corinne Peek-Asa (vice chancellor for research) and Dr. John M. Carethers (vice chancellor for health sciences). 

The symposium featured keynote speeches by Dr. Shinya Yamanaka (director emeritus and professor, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, professor of anatomy, University of California San Francisco, Senior Investigator and the L.K. Whittier Foundation Investigator in Stem Cell Biology, Gladstone Institutes, Representative Director of the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, CiRA Foundation) and Dr. Mitinori Saitou (director and professor, Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS), professor, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, professor and guest principal investigator, CiRA, Kyoto University), and researchers from Japan and the US delivered technical presentations on stem cells and cell reprogramming, quantum science, nanomedicine, radiation therapy, and cancer immunotherapy. 

After the symposium, a reception was held at the nearby Bella Vista Café to provide opportunities for networking between researchers, students, and industry representatives.  

Opening and Welcome Remarks

The symposium was moderated by Dr. Kaoru Kitajima (vice-director, International Strategy Office, director, Kyoto University North American Center, vice-dean and professor, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University). Dr. Kitajima introduced President Nagahiro Minato of Kyoto University, who provided the symposium’s opening remarks. Welcome remarks then were provided by Dr. Corinne Peek-Asa (vice-chancellor for research, professor of epidemiology, UCSD). 

“For the first time since their establishment in 2018, the three North American-based on-site laboratories are holding a joint symposium to promote the further development of their research activities. I hope that today’s event will provide an opportunity to share cutting-edge research findings surrounding the keywords of stem cells, cell reprogramming, quantum nanoscience, and cancer immunotherapy, and that it will enrich academic networks between Japan, the US, and beyond, enabling us to work together and contribute to a better future for humanity.” 

From the opening remarks by President Minato

“It is an exciting day for science. The advances that you are making will truly improve lives of patients, and their families who can be devastated by the disease that your work is helping to cure.” 

“We are in a very challenged world. We have challenges in politics. We have challenges in climate change. We have challenges in economics. There have never been more important relationships than those between academic institutions in order to successfully tackle some of our greater social challenges.” 

From the welcome remarks by Dr. Peek-Asa

Opening Keynote

Dr. Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte (director, San Diego Institute of Science, Altos Labs), serving as chair, introduced the opening keynote speaker, Dr. Shinya Yamanaka. Dr. Yamanaka provided a presentation titled “Recent Progress in iPSC Research and Application,” which discussed his recent research, medical applications of iPSC, including clinical trials using iPS cells for diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and regenerative medicine using iPSC in Japan. 

“Over the past decade, iPSC research has made great progress, moving toward innovative therapeutics for people with intractable diseases through the application of new findings from basic science and reverse translation from clinics.”

From the opening keynote by Dr. Yamanaka

Session 1: Stem cells and cell reprogramming

The chair for session one was Dr. Kiichiro Tomoda (program-specific research center associate professor, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, research investigator, Gladstone Institutes). The session featured two speakers: Dr. Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte (director, San Diego Institute of Science, Altos Labs) and Dr. Jun Takahashi (director and professor, CiRA, Kyoto University). Dr. Belmonte’s presentation was titled “Cell Rejuvenation and Disease,” and focused on several rejuvenating interventions proposed to delay aging and the onset of age-associated decline and disease to extend healthspan and lifespan. Dr. Takahashi’s lecture, titled, “iPS cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s Disease,” presented methods for cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease and discussed a clinical trial to treat Parkinson’s disease patients at Kyoto University Hospital. 

Session 2: Quantum science, nanomedicine, and radiation therapy

The chair for session two was Dr. Fuyuhiko Tamanoi (professor, Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS), professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles). The speakers for session two were Dr. Toshiki Tajima (Norman Rostoker chair professor, University of California, Irvine) and Dr. Jun Suzuki (professor and deputy director, iCeMS, KUIAS, professor, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University). Dr. Tajima’s presentation, which was titled “Cancer Radiotherapy at the Tip of Endoscope Driven by Laser Wakefield Acceleration,” discussed the physical properties of high-density laser wakefield acceleration (HD-LWFA), its laser technology, and how best to look for radiotherapy and nuclear medicine applications. Dr. Suzuki’s presentation was titled “Unbiased Screening Approaches to Explore the Field of Biomedical Sciences.” In the presentation, Dr. Suzuki discussed a novel screening system called, “revival screening,” and the process of identifying factors in dying cells, non-proliferating cells, and even tissues in living animals using the system. He also discussed the system’s potential application in the field of biomedicine. 

Refreshment Break

Following Session two, there was a brief refreshment break, during which the chairs, speakers, and audience could network with one another over coffee.

Session 3: Cancer Immunotherapy

Dr. J. Silvio Gutkind (distinguished professor and chair, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, associate director of basic science, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego) served as the chair for session three. The two speakers were President Minato of Kyoto University, and Dr. Mitchell Kronenberg (chief scientific officer, La Jolla Institute for Immunology). President Minato’s presentation was titled “Aging of Immunity and Immunity in Aging.”  He discussed the fact that although aging is increasingly associated with reduced acquired immunity and chronic inflammatory disorders, a possible relationship of the apparently paradoxical features, if any, remains elusive. Dr. Kronenberg’s presentation was titled “Memory Responses by Innate-Like T Cells.” He presented data that indicates that innate-like T cells are capable of physiologic alterations to attain a memory-like state, and that metabolism influences the responses of the memory-like subsets of MAIT cells. 

Closing Keynote and Closing Remarks

Dr. Masatoshi Hagiwara (professor, Graduate School of Medicine, director-general,  Innovation Support Alliance for Life Science (iSAL), Kyoto University, director of the Kyoto University Research Center San Diego (KURC-SD)) was the chair for the closing keynote, which was provided by Dr. Mitinori Saitou (director and professor, Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUAIS), professor, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, professor and guest principal investigator, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University). In his closing keynote, titled “From in vitro gametogenesis to human biology,” Dr. Saitou provided a brief overview of his work on the mechanisms of germ-cell development, including his team’s latest findings and a discussion of his teams ongoing endeavors to promote advanced studies of human biology. 

Closing remarks were provided by Dr. John M. Carethers (vice chancellor for health sciences, University of California San Diego), in which he emphasized the importance of the partnership between Kyoto University and the University of California San Diego. 

“By investigating the development of cynomolgus monkeys as a primate model, we have defined a developmental coordinate of pluripotency among mice, monkeys, and humans, identified the origin of the primate germ-cell lineage in the amnion, and have elucidated the X-chromosome dosage compensation program in primates.  Accordingly, we have succeeded in inducing human iPSCs (hiPSCs) into human PGCLCs (hPGCLCs) and then into oogonia with appropriate epigenetic reprogramming.  More recently, we have demonstrated an ex vivo reconstitution of fetal oocyte development in humans and monkeys. These studies have established a foundation for human in vitro gametogenesis.”

From the Closing Keynote by Dr. Saitou

“I am very pleased with this wonderful partnership between UC San Diego and Kyoto University. The KU Research Center San Diego, established in 2019, deepens our partnership.” 

“I will focus on our overall arching strategy for all health sciences. We will be expanding our clinical services over time. We will foster continued and growing research collaborations, enhancing many of our educational opportunities. This is critically important in marrying many of our basic and translational sciences with our partners in Kyoto.”

From the Closing Remarks by Dr. Carethers

Reception and networking opportunities

Kyoto University President Minato opened the reception with a welcome address. Dr. Albert P. Pisano (dean, Jacobs School of Engineering, UCSD) then gave a heartfelt greeting on behalf of UCSD. A warm greeting was also provided by Dr. Yusaku Nakabeppu (professor emeritus, Kyushu University, director, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) San Francisco). A toast was then led by Mr. Kenko Sone (consul-general of Japan in Los Angeles). The speakers and guests then enjoyed discussing their research interests and potential research and educational collaborations, while enjoying the stunning sunset in La Jolla.