Passing under the mountain railway and climbing a steep hill for about 10 minutes, the scenery shifted dramatically from the bustling Hakone-Yumoto Station to the quiet, serene hillside of a rural village. There, nestled in the landscape, was the venue for the 3rd SS-F Retreat —HAKONATURE BASE, which still retains traces of its past as a toy museum, quietly standing on the hillside and exuding a somewhat playful atmosphere.
New Ideas Sparked Through Conversations
The retreat began with presentations from two emerging researchers. First to up was Dr. Sundaram Acharya from India, who, with support from the “SS-F Inventor Bridge Program,” secured a position in a lab at the University of Tokyo. His presentation focused on the structure of a new genome editing tool. Using cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy, he analyzed a type of protein that had previously been overlooked. The study revealed unique functions that suggest this protein could be modified into a genome editing tool which is unachievable using current technology.
The second presenter was Haruka Sasaki, an assistant professor at Tohoku University’s Graduate School of Dentistry, who was selected for the “SS-F New Generation Program.” Dr. Sasaki explained that “Umami Receptors,” which respond to glutamate, exist not only on the surface of the tongue but also in the airways, and are involved in asthma mechanisms. She also presented a novel method to alleviate asthma symptoms, which differs significantly from conventional approaches.
Although both researchers presented unique and promising studies, they couldn’t hide their nervousness during the presentations. This was understandable, considering that they were speaking in front of more than a dozen of Japan’s top researchers, all of whom were watching them with attentive, discerning eyes. A former editor of an international scientific journal commented to Dr. Acharya, “The diseases you’re aiming to treat with this genome editing tool pose significant technical challenges. It might be wiser to start with smaller, more attainable steps” and then offered suggestions for setting more realistic goals. Another researcher, known for their work on the structural analysis of G-proteins, urged Dr. Sasaki to explore the connection between umami receptors and G-proteins further.
Tackling the Challenges of Japan’s Research Environment
Many research institutions and universities in Japan operate in silos, making it difficult to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and information sharing. As researchers advance in their careers, they have fewer opportunities to engage with fields outside their own. In addition, financial and time constraints limit their ability to participate in cross-disciplinary exchanges. One of the main goals of SS-F is to break down these barriers.
This retreat was a perfect example of how SS-F is working to address these challenges by bringing together researchers from different fields. For the two emerging researchers, it was undoubtedly an invaluable opportunity to further develop their research.
What Does It Mean to End the Nobel Prize?
“This is the only way to put an end to the Nobel Prize,” declared a researcher specializing in the fusion of medical biology and AI, rousing the audience. The “method” he described involves an AI system using reinforcement learning that autonomously generates hypotheses, conducts experiments, observes and verifies results in the field of cell biology. Starting with zero knowledge, AI initially generates mostly incorrect hypotheses. However, it generates and tests about 3,000 hypotheses per week, constantly learning and refining its predictions. In just seven weeks, the AI achieves a level of knowledge equivalent to that of a graduate student. This “non-human scientist” then moves from real-world experiments to repeated hypothesis testing through simulations and is already working tirelessly in pilot environments.
“In the real world, experiments that take weeks can be completed in 0.1 seconds through simulation. Humans just can’t compete. When hundreds of Nobel-level discoveries are made every day, the prize loses its meaning. The answers to the mysteries of science lie beyond humanity, and There’s no need for humans to be the ones to uncover them. Science is not an exclusive privilege for humans.”
This researcher aims to replace half of their lab staff with non-human scientists by 2030 and hold lab meetings with them. While it may sound like science fiction, with the rapid advancements in AI technologies like ChatGPT, it no longer seems so far-fetched.
For current researchers who may be worried about losing their jobs, this could be a difficult topic. However, one prominent optogenetics researcher took a more positive view, suggesting that good science either opens up new fields and creates new opportunities, or brings an old field to a close. In his words, “The end of the Nobel Prize falls into the latter category, which I think is still good science. This exchange emphasized that the scientific landscape is undergoing significant change.
This conversation took place during the Fireside Chat that followed the opening presentations. Fireside Chats are designed to encourage free thinking and deeper discussion by removing the formalities of traditional conferences and creating a relaxed, informal atmosphere – much like sitting around a fireplace.
For this retreat, the room was set up like a cozy living room, with minimalist wood-frame sofas and warm rugs creating an inviting space. Two researchers at a time would sit on the couches, introduce themselves and their research, and then engage in a Q&A session with SS-F staff and the audience. After a period of time, the next pair of researchers would take their place, for a total of six sessions. The open exchange of opinions, surprising ideas, and incisive questions warmed the room in place of a real fireplace.
A Glimpse into the Participants’ Varied Research Fields
Before diving into some of the other discussion topics, here’s a quick overview of the research areas represented by the 11 participating researchers:
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- Medical applications to restore regenerative abilities lost in human evolution, cultured meat, etc.
- Elucidating the role of exosomes, small vesicles secreted by cells, in cancer metastasis prediction and therapy.
- Developing algorithms to efficiently sample rare events (e.g., earthquakes, typhoons, enzyme reactions), and applying organoid-derived data for personalized medicine.
- Understanding how the brain integrates fragmented sensory inputs to capture object features and developing technology to manipulate the brain with the aim of treating mental disorders.
- Combining cutting-edge optical, fluid, and information sciences to develop next-generation biotechnology.
- Automating the drug discovery process using mathematics, computational science, big data analysis, and AI.
- Using medical data and AI to predict diseases, and AI systems for scientific discovery (as mentioned earlier).
- Studying the effects of oxytocin, known as the “love hormone,” on social interest and sexual behavior, and exploring the brain mechanisms behind curiosity.
- Investigating the cancer resistance and anti-aging mechanisms of long-lived mammals like the naked mole-rat, and applying these insights to human disease prevention.
- Developing tools to visualize complex data, and automating the creation of musical scores for rhythm games based on anime motifs.
- Analyzing the structure and function of proteins such as photoreceptor proteins, developing optogenetic tools, and pioneering magneto genetics using proteins activated by magnetic fields.
As you can see, a wide variety of fields, especially in biosciences, were represented.
How Can We Improve Japan’s Research Environment?
Many of the participants had experience as postdoctoral fellows or principal investigators (PIs) at universities and research institutions abroad. This sparked a lively discussion about the contrasts between research environments in Japan and overseas, as well as strategies for training the next generation of scientists.
“Labs in the U.S. bring together people from many different backgrounds. The exchange of ideas from different perspectives really broadened my research. When I returned to Japan and started my own lab, I made a conscious effort to bring in people from different fields.”
“The number of seminars in Japan and the U.S. is completely different. When I was a graduate student in Japan, we had five or six seminars a year. In the U.S., there are ten each week, and the lecturers often include unpublished data, so you’re constantly exposed to cutting-edge information.”
“In the U.S., after seminars, there are 30-minute one-on-one meetings between the lecturer and a few participants, so you can have in-depth discussions. There’s also dinner, which helps build relationships. In Japan, due to budget constraints, we can barely afford to have the lecturer speak for an hour, and there’s no dinner, so there are fewer opportunities for networking.”
“When I first became a postdoc in the U.S., my boss told me, ‘You’re still a baby, so just learn as much as you can.’ In Japan, on the other hand, graduate students are often told, ‘You have to run the lab,’ which puts an overwhelming amount of responsibility on them.”
“At UC Berkeley, I didn’t have a fixed mentor, but I could easily approach any professor. There was a ‘knock-on culture’ where students were encouraged to knock on any professor’s door. I’ve implemented this open-door culture in my current lab in Japan.”
A neuroscientist who grew up in the U.S. and now holds a position at a Japanese research institution added a positive comment: “In the U.S., there’s a strong focus on translational research, which bridges basic research to practical applications, and many grants are geared toward this. What’s great about Japan is the emphasis on novelty and curiosity-driven research.”
Others, however, felt that it was difficult to conduct innovative research in Japan. Concerns were raised such as “There aren’t enough people who can evaluate groundbreaking research,” and “There is a tendency to demand short-term results, making it difficult to undertake long-term, challenging projects.
According to a researcher from one of the SS-F supporter companies, two years ago, they established a department to “study what makes a good research theme and how to generate ideas.” Like academic researchers, companies also face the challenge of improving their research environment. Given the differences with overseas, now is the time for Japan to cultivate its own unique research culture.
Founder and “Singer” Experience
On the second day of the retreat, a session called the “Scientific Founder Experience” was held. This session simulated an elevator pitch, where participants were tasked with effectively conveying their ideas to investors or business partners in a short amount of time. Participants were divided into four groups and asked to consider questions such as, “What is the scientific discovery behind your business plan? What makes it unique?” “What impact does this discovery have? How will it influence people’s lives?” and “What challenges would you face in starting a business, and how could you overcome them?” The session concluded with each group delivering a two-minute pitch.
The most heated discussions occurred during the first task: deciding on the scientific discovery that would form the core of their business plan. Ideas and scientific breakthroughs were proposed, followed by critiques pointing out challenges and obstacles. Solutions were quickly offered in response, with participants suggesting ways to overcome the hurdles or add features to improve the plan.
Each group presented their business plans during the two-minute pitch. The plans included:
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- Mini Organ Technology: Culturing small organs to support critical bodily functions, tailored to individual health needs, and also designed to be worn as decorative patches.
- Customizable Housing: Based on research into healthy longevity, this technology allows for personalized adjustments in temperature and humidity to create the optimal living environment for each resident.
- Magnetic Therapy: A low-cost, high-accuracy technology for diagnosing and treating cancer using magnetic fields.
- Mental Health AI: A technology that monitors and improves users’ mental health by analyzing gaming data.
Although the ideas were developed in a short time frame, the business plans all showed great potential for the future. Most notable was the customizable housing concept. The inclusion of participants from two SS-F partner companies – a real estate developer and an IT vendor with expertise in AI – added realism to the plan and increased its chances of success.
“When there’s no specific goal or obligation, and you engage in discussions with experts from different fields, new ideas naturally emerge.”
This statement by Dr. Takanori Takebe, founder /representative director of SS-F during his opening remarks encapsulated the spirit of the retreat. It was a space where everything from small insights to seeds of joint research and business plans took shape.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments occurred during the karaoke after party held after dinner at the hotel. There was a brief pause when the SS-F staff asked for volunteers, but the atmosphere quickly warmed up when Dr. Sundaram Acharya stepped up to break the ice. With no trace of his earlier nervousness, he confidently performed “Ue wo Muite Arukou (Sukiyaki song)” by Kyu Sakamoto, a Japanese song he had been practicing. His performance set a vibrant tone for the rest of the evening and encouraged others to follow his lead and join in.
[Interview and Writing by: Shinya Midori]
