The Stellar Science Foundation (hereinafter referred to as “SS-F”), a general incorporated association based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, led by Founder/ Representative Director Takanori Takebe, has launched the SS-F Inventor Bridge Program to provide financial assistance to research labs with world-class achievements to attract outstanding researchers from both Japan and abroad.
As the first recipient of this program, the Nishimasu Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, led by Professor Hiroshi Nishimasu, has been selected. The lab has welcomed Dr. Sundaram Acharya, a researcher from the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), a leading research institute in genome science in India. The Nishimasu Laboratory is renowned for its groundbreaking research in structural life sciences, and with the support of this program, it aims to further accelerate its research through Dr. Acharya’s contribution.
About the SS-F Inventor Bridge Program
Many research laboratories in Japan face challenges in attracting top talent. One significant hurdle is securing funding to hire researchers. Particularly when recruiting internationally, it is common for the process of applying for fellowships or research grants to take over a year after identifying a suitable candidate. In highly competitive research fields, this delay can hinder the creation of groundbreaking results.
To address this issue, the program provides financial support to research labs to hire researchers during the gap period until their fellowship applications are approved. This support helps create an environment where innovative research can be advanced quickly and smoothly.
Future Prospects
Beyond funding for recruitment, the program plans to focus on activities that promote the matching of top-tier research labs in Japan with excellent researchers from both within and outside the country. These efforts aim to comprehensively enhance the speed and quality of research.
Reason for Selecting the Nishimasu Laboratory
Professor Hiroshi Nishimasu is renowned for being the first in the world to elucidate the mechanism by which enzymes act as “scissors” to cut DNA, significantly contributing to the advancement of genome editing technology. This impressive achievement is underpinned by Professor Nishimasu’s ability to collaborate with diverse researchers across genders, nationalities, and disciplines, aligning perfectly with SS-F’s vision of a People-Centric Science ecosystem. Currently, the Nishimasu Laboratory is focused on advancing genome editing technology by developing novel tools based on modified CRISPR-Cas9. This field is evolving at a rapid pace, and SS-F’s support aims to accelerate the lab’s research and lead to further discoveries and inventions.
Comment from Professor Hiroshi Nishimasu, the Nishimasu Laboratory
The field of structural life sciences, which I am currently researching, is one where many outstanding researchers worldwide are engaged, and the pace of research is remarkable. To accelerate my own research, I have long wanted Dr. Acharya, whom I previously collaborated with in Professor Nuruki’s Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, to join my lab. I am extremely grateful to SS-F for providing this support, especially in a context where securing funding for recruitment is generally challenging. Dr. Acharya, who has a different area of expertise from my lab, has been involved in developing innovative genome editing toolsets. In addition to his technical expertise, he possesses a high level of communication skills that transcend national and cultural boundaries, and I am very much looking forward to working with him.
Comment from Professor Hiroshi Nishimasu, the Nishimasu Laboratory
I am deeply honored to be selected for the SS-F Inventor Bridge Program. This invaluable opportunity has allowed me to start my postdoctoral career under Professor Hiroshi Nishimasu at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) at the University of Tokyo. Being selected for this program enables me to pioneer the frontier of genome engineering by discovering new systems in basic scientific research and developing innovative technologies with real-world applications. I am committed to collaborating with the exceptional members of the SS-F community to cultivate impactful research activities.
