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Distinguished Honorary Professor Shimon Sakaguchi’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Commemorative Lecture “Regulatory T Cell for Immune Tolerance: Discovery and Clinical Prospects” Held
On March 8 (Sun.), 2026, Distinguished Honorary Professor Shimon Sakaguchi’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Commemorative Lecture was held at the Tokyo Tatemono Brillia HALL MINOH (Minoh Theatre for the Performing Arts).
Over 1,100 people attended the lecture which was the first one for the public held by UOsaka since Professor Sakaguchi‘s receiving the Nobel Prize, resulting in a nearly full house in the Grand Hall.
Mayu Ogawa, the announcer serving as the MC (a graduate of UOsaka)
Opening remarks by the President Atsushi Kumanogoh
In his lecture, Professor Sakaguchi provided a clear and accessible explanation of specialized topics while reflecting on his long journey, including the reasons he started his immunology research, the process of proving the existence and significance of regulatory T cells, and the potential for their application in medicine.
At the end of his lecture, Professor Sakaguchi shared a message for the younger generation, emphasizing the importance of "steadily and optimistically engaging with things that you will be satisfied with."
Participants listened intently to Professor Sakaguchi's speech, and many were diligently taking notes, making it a meaningful learning experience where they shared in Nobel Prize-winning research.
In the subsequent talk session with President Kumanogoh, the atmosphere changed to a more relaxed mood, and they talked about the topics related to the Nobel Prize, the importance of basic research that produces significant results, and the better future of medicine that regulatory T cells will transform.
The entire venue enjoyed each of Professor Sakaguchi's unpretentious words, celebrated his achievements and awards once again, and shared a vision of the future that new therapies utilizing the function of the immune system may bring.
This lecture was held on March 8, which is the International Women's Day. On the stage, a large floral arrangement featuring its symbolic yellow mimosa, interwoven with UOsaka's blue color, created a memorable spectacle for the participants.
Finally, Professor Kiyoshi Takeda, Director of the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), gave the closing remarks, and the lecture ended on a high note.
Closing remarks by the IFReC Director Kiyoshi Takeda
