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Projects for promoting international joint research selected
As a measure for promoting its academic initiatives, Osaka University established the International Joint Research Promotion Program . In order to further enhance research quality and promote globalization of Osaka University, Osaka University supports advanced research between international researchers and Osaka University researchers. This year, out of 27 projects submitted, a screening committee selected the 15 projects noted below.
In the International Joint Research Promotion Program, Osaka University provides the projects selected with funding to assist in hiring research personnel and also for covering travel expenses of young researchers in coming to the project lab at OU so that, even when the invited international researcher is out of Japan, joint research can continue. Therefore, this program is not just support for international joint research, but a first step toward the establishment of international joint labs, major players in the dynamic globalization at Osaka University.
This program will not only
promote further research, but also make possible seminars and lectures
featuring the invited international researcher, thereby also greatly
contributing to the globalization of education at OU. Osaka University
provides the projects selected with travel support and an honorarium
for the international researcher, travel expenses for OU faculty
members, and support for employing additional researcher(s).
Osaka University will
look for projects starting in the next academic year in or around
December
. We look forward to the
active participation of international researchers in this program.
Selected projects
|
Project leader |
Title, Organization |
Joint research organization |
Details |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Professor, Graduate School of Engineering |
California Institute of Technology (U.S.A.) |
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|
Professor, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology |
University of Victoria (Canada) |
Details |
|
|
Professor, Graduate School of Engineering |
École Centrale de Nantes (France) |
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Professor, Institute for Protein Research |
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Germany) |
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Professor, Graduate School of Engineering |
École polytechnique, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) |
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|
Professor, Institute for Protein Research |
Friedrich-Miescher-Institut (Switzerland) |
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Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering |
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic ( Czech) |
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Professor, Institute of Social and Economic Research |
Indian Statistical Institute (India) |
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Professor, Graduate School of Science |
University of Kentucky (U.S.A.) |
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Associate Professor, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research |
The University of Hong Kong
|
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Professor, Research Center for Nuclear Physics |
Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics |
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Professor, Center for Twin Research |
University of Helsinki (Finland) |
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Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences |
Forschungszentrum Juelich, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen (Germany) |
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Professor, Graduate School of Engineering Science |
Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (Switzerland) |
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Associate Professor, Graduate School of Dentistry |
University of Copenhagen (Denmark) |
Details of projects for promoting international joint research selected
| Robots' consciousness emerging through intersubjective synchrony | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Minoru ASADA, Professor, Department of Adaptive
Machine Systems, Graduate School of Engineering
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Shinsuke SHIMOJO, Professor, Division of Biology, California
Institute of Technology
|
| Research Period | March 1, 2014 ~ February 28, 2017 |
| Research Outline |
Emotional
synchrony between two agents is often facilitated by bodily synchrony. However, the neural systems and hormonal control underlying
this link between bodily and emotional synchrony are still to be
revealed. In this project, we will tackle this problem by making full
use of psychological, neurological, and synthetic approaches. We aim to
integrate and verify our findings in a human-robot interaction
scenario, in which emotional synchrony between human and robot is to be
achieved.
|
| Development of Analysis Method for Software License Evolution | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Katsurou INOUE, Professor, Department of Computer
Science, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Daniel Morales GERMAN, Associate
Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria, Canada
|
| Research Period | October 1, 2013 ~ September 30, 2016 |
| Research Outline | Knowing software license of open-source-software systems and software assets in organizations is very important for propose reuse of those software. In this international collaboration research, we will unify two approaches for software license identification and source-code evolution analysis, and will establish a method for analyzing software license evolution efficiently. |
|
Synthetic Engineering Study on
Enhancement of Absorption
Efficiency and Practical Utilization of Marine Renewable Energies |
|
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Masashi KASHIWAGI, Professor, Global Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Pierre FERRANT, Professor, LHEEA (Laboratoire de Recehrche en Hydrodynamique, Energetique et Environnment Atmospherique), Ecole
Centrale de Nantes, France
|
| Research Period | October 1, 2013 ~ September 30, 2016 |
| Research Outline |
Performance
in winds and waves of a floating platform for marine-renewable-energy
utilization will be studied, with emphasis placed on establishment of
an analysis system for the time-domain nonlinear motions and the fluid-structure interactions, through
international collaboration between Osaka University and Ecole Centrale
de Nantes in France.
|
|
Structural analysis of the photosynthetic
energy transduction for
light-driven biohydrogen production by artificial cell |
|
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Genji KURISU, Professor, Institute for Protein
Research
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Thomas HAPPE, Professor, Department of Photobiotechnology, Ruhr
University Bochum
|
| Research Period | October 1, 2013 ~ September 30, 2016 |
| Research Outline | In order to design a model cell system optimized for production of biohydrogen using sunlight, it must be achieved to couple the linear photosynthetic electron transport with an engineered enzyme. For this purpose, the structural principles of energy transduction in thylakoid membranes are most important. We are trying to understand the structural basis for the photosynthetic energy transduction based on the crystal structures. |
| Exploring of High Energy Density Matter with Photon and Beam Technologies under Japan and France Cooperation | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Ryousuke KODAMA, Professor, Electrical, Electronic
and Information Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Michel KOENIG, Research Director, Intense Lasers Laboratory (LULI), École Polytechnique
|
| Research Period | October 1, 2013 ~ September 30, 2016 |
| Research Outline | We are now exploring high energy density matter science by using photon and beam technologies such as high power lasers. The high energy density states is created under pressures of more than 10GPa to TPa, where the matter is in extreme states related to geophysics, high pressed physics and material science in extreme conditions. Under this program, the Japan-France joint team will pioneer the new field of science on extremely high-pressed condensed matter using the high power laser facility of Osaka University in the SACA or Japanese XFEL facility of RIKEN. |
| Molecular Mechanism of chromosome dynamics & epigenome in suppression of chromosome instability | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Akira SHINOHARA, Professor, Institute for Protein
Research
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Susan Margaret GASSER, Director, Friedrich
Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research
|
| Research Period | March 1, 2014 ~ February 28, 2017 |
| Research Outline | Instability of genome in germ cells, from which gamete such as sperms and eggs are produced, cause aneuploidy diseases such as miscarriage and Down syndrome. In this international collaborative project with Dr. Susan Gasser, a professor and director of Friedrich Mercier Institute (FMI) in Basel, we are aiming to dissect molecular mechanism of chromosome dynamics and its relation ship to epigenome as well as to understand biological significance of these events. This study may contribute our understanding of medical aspects of infertility and miscarriage in human. |
| Chemical identification of individual surface atoms | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Yoshiaki SUGIMOTO, Associate Professor, Electrical, Electronic
and Information Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Pavel JELINEK, Group Leader, Institute of Physics, Academy
of Science of the Czech Republic
|
| Research Period | January 1, 2014 ~ December 31, 2016 |
| Research Outline | Scanning probe microscopy is a powerful tool for nanotechnology, which allows us to image individual surface atoms, characterize the material, and manipulate atoms. In this study, we develop the method for chemical identification of various atoms. Experimental and theoretical studies are performed at Osaka University and Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, respectively to achieve novel identification techniques. |
| Frontier of Economic Theory and its application to Mechanism Design | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Shigehiro SERIZAWA, Professor, Institute of Social and
Economic Research
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Debasis MISHRA, Associate Professor, Economics and Planning Unit, Indian Statistical Institute
|
| Research Period | November 1, 2013 ~ October 31, 2016 |
| Research Outline | Together with Indian Statistical Institute, University of Rochester,National University of Singapore, Academia Sinica, etc., we study advanced economic theories such as, auction theory, matching theory, voting theory, and apply them to design social rules such as frequency license allotment rule, internship matching rule, school admission rules, airport landing slot allotment rule, political system, etc. |
| Formation and Evolution of Supermassive Black Holes from Cosmological Perspective | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Kentaro NAGAMINE, Professor, Course in Earth and
Space Science, Graduate School of Science
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Isaac SHLOSMAN, Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University
of Kentucky
|
| Research Period | February 1, 2014 ~ January 31, 2017 |
| Research Outline |
Current
astronomical observations strongly suggest that every galaxy hosts a
supermassive black hole (SMBH) in the center. It is one of the most
important problems of modern astrophysical studies to understand the
formation and evolution of SMBHs in the context of concordance
cosmological model. In this project, in collaboration with
Professor Isaac Shlosman of Univ. of Kentucky, USA, we intend to
clarify the formation of SMBHs and their co-evolution with the host
galaxy. Using cosmological hydrodynamic simulations, we will
examine the growth of SMBH via gas accretion, as well as the feedback
mechanisms on galaxy formation by the radiation and gas outflows.
|
| Mechanism of bacterial homeostasis mediated by transporters and development of new therapeutic strategies to control infectious diseases | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Kunihiko NISHINO, Associate Professor, Institute of Scientific
and Industrial Research
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Aixin YAN, Assistant
Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong
|
| Research Period | January 1, 2014 ~ December 31, 2016 |
| Research Outline | Multidrug efflux transporters play a major role in the multidrug resistance by extruding antibiotics or biocides out of the cell. Recent discoveries support the notion that at least some multidrug transporters have specific physiological substrates because these transporters have been shown to have roles in bacterial virulence. In this international collaborative project with Dr. Aixin Yan, a young principal investigator of the University of Hong Kong, we are aiming to understand a mechanism of bacterial homeostasis mediated by transporters. This study should promote the development of novel inhibitors or strategies that could counteract the contribution of bacterial transporters to drug resistance and virulence. |
| Research on time reversal symmetry with high density UCN | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Kichiji HATANAKA, Professor, Research Center for
Nuclear Physics
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Akira KONAKA, Group Leader, Particle Physics; Senior Research Scientist, Science Division, TRIUMF
|
| Research Period | October 1, 2013 ~ September 30, 2016 |
| Research Outline |
The neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) violates the time reversal symmetry. The value of nEDM is used to test new physics beyond the standard model of particle physics. At RCNP, an experimental group led by Yasuhiro Masuda (KEK) has developed an ultracold neutron (UCN) source which can produce highest UCN density in the world and can be a game changer in the fundamental physics with neutrons. This experimental group is carrying out a nEDM experiment with the high density UCN source at RCNP. Under this experimental group, we carry out the present program. We study the UCN source and the systematic errors in the nEDM measurement. |
| Comparative Twin Study between Japan and Finland: How Genetic and Environmental Factors Shape Health of the Elderly | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Kazuo HAYAKAWA, Professor, School of Allied Health
Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Karri Tapani SILVENTOINEN, Acting Professor, Dept. of Social Research, University
of Helsinki
|
| Research Period | January 1, 2014 ~ December 31, 2016 |
| Research Outline |
Twin research provides unique clues to evaluate how genetic and environmental factors shape the health and behaviors of human. Osaka University’s twin registry is one of the largest in Japan and distinctive in that most of the registrants are elderly.
This study involves elderly twin studies from Japan and Finland to provide clues to build healthier societies. |
| Neural mechanism of active vision studied by combining large-scale sampling of neural activity and advanced computational analysis | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Ichiro FUJITA, Professor, Department of Frontier
Biosciences,Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Sonja GRÜN, Vice Director, Head of Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6) and Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6), Jülich Research Centre and JARA; Professor, Theoretical Systems Neurobiology, RWTH Aachen University
|
| Research Period | October 1, 2013 ~ September 30, 2016 |
| Research Outline |
The
visual system actively explores visual scenes with
frequent eye movements, and combines intermittent inputs to reconstruct
the visual world in our mind. This project investigates the neural
mechanism of this process by a combination of large-scale sampling of
neural activities and advanced theoretical analyses. This is a joint
effort by a theoretical neuroscience group headed by Sonja
Grün and a
neurophysiology group headed by Ichiro Fujita.
|
| Development of Heterogenous Single-site Catalysts through Precise Modification of Metal-oxide Surface | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Kazushi MASHIMA, Professor, Department of Materials
Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Christophe COPÉRET, Professor, ESC Inorganic Chemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
|
| Research Period | January 1, 2014 ~ December 31, 2016 |
| Research Outline |
Catalysis
is a key technology of the chemical industry, allowing efficient
transformation of simple starting materials into valuable products.
There is always a need to further improve the efficiency of catalytic
processes (activity, selectivity, stability and energy efficiency). One
approach to develop more efficient heterogeneous catalysts is their
rational design through a molecular approach relating to the
homogeneous catalysts. The main purpose of this project is bridging the
gap between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts by deep
understanding the catalytically active surface organometallis species.
|
| Growth and developmental pattern of oral and maxillofacial structures | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader |
Shumei MURAKAMI, Associate Professor, Oral Sciences, Graduate
School of Dentistry
|
| Visiting Researcher |
Sven KREIBORG, Director, Professor, 3D Craniofacial Image Research
Laboratory, University of Copenhagen
|
| Research Period | October 1, 2013 ~ September 30, 2016 |
| Research Outline |
The
objective is to analyze and clarify the growth and developmental
pattern of oral and maxillofacial structures using MRI data of child
head that were taken periodically and longitudinally.
The collected and evaluated data will become a useful and important database of growth and developmental pattern of oral and maxillofacial structures in childhood with scientific evidence. |