掲載号:Qiuyi Wang†, Zi Wang†*, Kenji Mizuguchi, Toshifumi Takao*. Biological age prediction using a DNN model based on pathways of steroidogenesis. Science Advances, 11(11), 14 Mar 2025. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adt2624
■ Closing Remarks: Title: Role of Research Universities in Japan Speaker: Nagahiro Minato President, Kyoto University
Nagahiro Minato, President of Kyoto University, concluded the Science Japan Meeting 2025 by expressing gratitude to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and other supporting organizations for sponsoring the event. He highlighted the increasing societal interest in Japanese universities and the growing expectations for research universities to play a significant role in addressing contemporary challenges. This shift aligns with reflections on Japan’s “lost decades,” a period marked by economic stagnation and social inertia following the nation’s earlier era of rapid economic growth driven by large-scale enterprises in the heavy manufacturing sector.
Nagahiro Minato at SJM2025
Minato noted that recent technological innovations and globalization have rendered Japan’s traditional growth model less competitive. Consequently, research universities are becoming central to technological innovation and human resource development. This shift necessitates that these institutions redefine their social missions and adapt their structures to meet evolving expectations.
A fundamental principle of Japanese research universities has been academic freedom, which remains crucial for fostering basic research. Minato emphasized the importance of three key missions for modern research universities: ensuring academic freedom to drive groundbreaking research, creating multidisciplinary platforms to address emerging global issues, and efficiently translating scientific discoveries into societal values.
From the lecture slides: The Principles and missions of contemporary research universities
Minato also highlighted the need to rethink industry-academia collaborations, making them more efficient and flexible. He proposed comprehensive agreements that allow collaborations from the earliest stages of research and development (R&D), with a shared understanding of social needs and R&D targets. He emphasized the importance of industry contributions, such as financial investment and the provision of technology and human resources, to promote the social implementation of research outcomes.
To illustrate the potential of industry-academia collaboration, Minato cited Kyoto University’s recent partnership with multiple companies to develop the photonic crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL), a groundbreaking semiconductor laser. He advocated for a model between industry and academia that is more reciprocal, interactive, and trusting to foster transformative innovations and address major social issues.
■ 閉会の辞 演題:Role of Research Universities in Japan(日本における研究大学の役割) 演者:湊 長博 氏 京都大学総長
京都大学総長の湊長博氏は、「Science Japan Meeting 2025」の締めくくりとして、本イベントを共催いただいた米国科学振興協会(AAAS)およびその他関係機関に感謝の意を表した。続いて、日本の大学に対する社会的関心が高まっている現況に触れ、特に研究大学には現代における複雑な課題に答えるべく重要な役割が期待されていると述べた。この変化は、かつて日本が重工業などの大企業による急速な経済成長を遂げた後、長きに亘る経済停滞と社会の硬直化を招いた、いわゆる「失われた数十年」への反省とともに生まれたのではないかとの考えを示した。
1,2-Acyl transposition through photochemical skeletal rearrangement of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans
SCIENCE 8 May 2025, Vol 388, Issue 6747
【日本人著者の方より】 トランスポジションは、化合物の骨格を変えずに置換基の位置を移動させる反応です。今回の研究では、光化学的骨格転位を活用することで、アシル基のトランスポジションが様々な2,3-ジヒドロベンゾフラン骨格において進行することを見出しました。 DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 藤生 基弘