Archives
8th Kyoto University-Inamori Foundation Joint Kyoto Prize Symposium
Feb 13, 2022
Theme “Immune System Regulates Whole; Cancer, Aging, Brain, Microbiome ”
On 13 February, the 8th Kyoto University-Inamori Foundation Joint Kyoto Prize Symposium (KUIP) took place online with around 1,150 participants, including high school students, researchers, and members of the general public.
This latest edition of the annual conference, inaugurated in 2014, explored the theme of "Immune System Regulates Whole; Cancer, Aging, Brain, Microbiome" with four speakers: Professor Tasuku Honjo, director of the Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology (CCII), Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, and recipient of the 2016 Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences; Professor Yoko Hamazaki of the Kyoto University Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA); Professor Masaaki Murakami of the Hokkaido University Institute for Genetic Medicine (IGM); and Dr Sidonia Fagarasan, program-specific professor at CCII and team leader for the Laboratory for Mucosal Immunity, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS).
The researchers presented on cutting-edge developments in their fields and then took part in a panel discussion, moderated by Professor Hamazaki. The topics discussed by the group included the challenges being encountered in the panelists’ respective research areas and the importance of thinking flexibly and trying new approaches when faced with an obstacle. The panelists also responded to audience questions and, before concluding the session, offered a message of encouragement to young aspiring researchers: "Try to discover what it is that you want to do."
Some viewer comments received afterward:
"I appreciated the references to personal pandemic experiences. They made the topics relatable and easy to understand for me."
"I was impressed listening to the researchers discuss future prospects, realizing that they are not just focused on their current projects but are always looking ahead."
"The speakers emphasized the importance of beginning with implementation and, when feeling at a loss, taking a different approach or perspective, or leaving the problem alone for a while. I found this idea very convincing, especially when I thought about how the work of researchers must require a great deal of patience."
February 13(Sun.), 2022
Opening Ceremony
Nagahiro Minato (President, Kyoto University)
Shinobu Inamori-Kanazawa (President, Inamori Foundation)
Lectures
●Speakers
- Tasuku Honjo (Director, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University /
Distinguished Professor, Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study) - “Future Perspective of Cancer Immunotherapy”
- Yoko Hamazaki (Professor, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) / Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University)
- “Exploring Immunosenescence: Paving the Way for Heathy Aging”
- Masaaki Murakami (Professor, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University /
Group Leader, Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology /
Professor, Division of Molecular Neuroimmunology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences) - “The Development of Tissue-Specific Inflammatory Diseases by the Gateway Reflex”
- Sidonia Fagarasan (Professor, Division of Integrated High-Order Regulatory Systems, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University /
Doctor, Laboratory for Mucosal Immunity, Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, RIKEN) - “The Biochemical Dialogue Between Major Physiological Systems Mediated by Immune Cells”
Panel Discussion
