The STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F) launched the SS-F New Generation Program as an initiative to support the multifaceted growth of young researchers. The program’s first fellow, Dr. Haruka Sasaki, an assistant professor at the Graduate School of Dentistry at Tohoku University, participated over a two-year period. In this interview, she reflects on the transformation she experienced through her engagement with SS-F while pursuing her unique research on the link between asthma and umami receptors.
The Roots of Research: Tracing Back to High School
SS-F: What inspired you to become a researcher?
Dr. Sasaki: It all began in high school when I explored plant regeneration during a class project. Plants can regrow roots, and while human skin can heal from injuries, teeth don’t regenerate once damaged — they require fillings. That mystery captivated me. At the time, iPS cells were gaining attention due to a Nobel Prize, which fueled my interest in regenerative medicine and led me to study dentistry at Tohoku University.
SS-F: What led you from dentistry to researching asthma?
Dr. Sasaki: During clinical training, I witnessed a patient suffer a severe asthma attack under general anesthesia. As an asthma patient myself, I had experienced breathing difficulties, but that moment made me realize how life-threatening it could be. That encounter shifted my research focus from regenerative medicine to respiratory science.
Umami Receptors and Asthma: An Unlikely Connection
SS-F: Tell us more about your current research.
Dr. Sasaki: One major factor in asthma attacks is the contraction of airway smooth muscles. My research investigates how umami receptors influence this contraction. We introduce glutamate (an umami receptor agonist) to the airway muscles in mice, measuring contraction strength and observing intracellular signals such as calcium and cAMP.
SS-F: Is this the same glutamate we find in cooking?
Dr. Sasaki: Yes, it is. However, dietary glutamate is mostly absorbed by intestinal epithelial cells and doesn’t affect blood levels, so it has no direct impact on asthma. What I study is glutamate that increases locally during inflammation — as seen in asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease. I believe this localized increase may affect umami receptors in the airways.
A Long Journey to “Saving Lives”
SS-F: What is the significance of your research?
Dr. Sasaki: Asthma claims roughly 470,000 lives annually worldwide, and many severe cases don’t respond to existing treatments. I hope to uncover unknown exacerbating factors, leading to more effective therapies. My ultimate goal is to eliminate asthma-related deaths.
SS-F: Are you collaborating with pharmaceutical companies?
Dr. Sasaki: Not yet, though I hope to. Drug development is incredibly costly. Right now, we’re in the foundational stage — what’s known as basic research — identifying potential therapeutic targets.
SS-F: How long does it usually take to develop a drug from basic research?
Dr. Sasaki: I haven’t reached that phase myself yet, but I’ve heard it typically takes over a decade. It’s a marathon, but one I’m committed to running.
SS-F: What keeps you motivated on this long journey?
Dr. Sasaki: Daily experiments bring small discoveries that are truly exciting. Each insight sparks new ideas to test — that curiosity and joy of discovery are my biggest motivators.
From Isolation to Inspiration: Meeting SS-F
SS-F: How did you first hear about the New Generation Program?
Dr. Sasaki: In the final year of my PhD, I felt uncertain about my future as most peers pursued clinical paths. At a molecular biology conference, I joined a roundtable where Professor Takebe was speaking. I learned about the SS-F program there and knew instantly I wanted to apply.
SS-F: What attracted you to the program?
Dr. Sasaki: It offered rare access to top researchers in various fields — opportunities you usually don’t get outside of large conferences. At SS-F, these experts become part of your community. That sense of closeness was very compelling.
Dr. Sasaki presents her research to SS-F’s Inventor Researcher community and receives feedback.
Broadening Horizons through Cross-Disciplinary Exchange
SS-F: What stood out from your experience with SS-F?
Dr. Sasaki: At the GALA and retreat events, I saw firsthand how researchers from different fields spontaneously initiated collaborative projects. The speed and depth of interaction were inspiring. I hope to one day be part of such cross-disciplinary collaborations.
SS-F: Do most researchers only encounter other disciplines at conferences?
Dr. Sasaki: Generally, yes. Before SS-F, I’d never had the chance to casually interact with researchers from other universities or fields. Attending events is one thing, but discovering truly new perspectives requires a structured, cross-disciplinary setting like SS-F.
The SS-F retreat and GALA serve as valuable platforms for cross-field collaboration and dialogue.
Elevating Communication: Learning from a Top Editor
SS-F: You received editing support from Spiros, a former editor at a leading journal. What did you learn?
Dr. Sasaki: I realized I was writing based on local lab “rules” rather than global standards. Spiros’s feedback revealed unnecessary parts and areas needing clarity. His input completely changed how I view scientific writing.
SS-F: How has your writing changed?
Dr. Sasaki: Previously, our papers targeted niche journals with a highly technical focus. Now, I aim to write for broader scientific audiences — and I’m working toward submitting to journals like Nature Communications.
Becoming a Pioneer
SS-F: What kind of researcher do you aspire to be?
Dr. Sasaki: Within five years, I’d like to study abroad to broaden my foundation. Ultimately, I want to become a leader in my field — someone who can proudly say, “I helped shape the direction of this discipline.”
From SS-F
What stood out in this interview was how Dr. Sasaki discovered a new path through the connections made at SS-F. Engaging with researchers from different disciplines, receiving candid feedback, and envisioning future goals — all these factors showed us how meaningful such support can be. SS-F will continue to support young researchers not just in their research but in their growth as individuals in science.
