Hiroshima University’s Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (RIRBM) becomes joint research hub
Apr. 1, 2010
by Junpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
The Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (RIRBM) of Hiroshima University became one of the Joint Usage and Research Centers designated by the national government on April 1. RIRBM will start conducting 60 joint research projects in such areas as the effects of radiation and treatments for radiation-exposed victims, as well as establish a new department for research and analysis of the data on radiation exposure in order to make wider use of their accumulated A-bomb-related materials.
This is the first time that the government has designated research institutes as Usage and Research Centers. From among research institutions attached to public and private universities, which lead research in particular areas, the government chose 73 facilities, which are in high demand among researchers at other universities. Many researchers expressed the wish that RIRBM receive this designation due to a variety of reasons, including the widespread use of nuclear energy and the increase in the use of radiation for medical and industrial purposes.
When RIRBM solicited partners for joint research projects, a total of 34 universities and organizations, including Tokyo University and the National Cancer Center based in Tokyo, responded. Together they will pursue studies on the effects of low-dose radiation, the gene function of hematopoietic stem cells, DNA repair functions and carcinogenic sensitivity, and other themes.
In addition, RIRBM will reorganize its infrastructure and establish a new department for research and analysis of the materials involving radiation exposure. At this new department, they will conduct genomic analyses of pathological specimens from survivors of the atomic bombing and other elements with cutting-edge equipment to explore the effects of radiation, which even now remain unclear. Results of the analyses will be utilized for joint research.
Kenji Kamiya, director of RIRBM, commented, "We seek to actively promote joint usage of RIRBM's valuable materials and equipment as well as joint research projects to solidify our status as an international base of radiation damage and curative development, thus making a positive contribution to the world through our work."
(Originally published on April 1, 2010)
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The Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (RIRBM) of Hiroshima University became one of the Joint Usage and Research Centers designated by the national government on April 1. RIRBM will start conducting 60 joint research projects in such areas as the effects of radiation and treatments for radiation-exposed victims, as well as establish a new department for research and analysis of the data on radiation exposure in order to make wider use of their accumulated A-bomb-related materials.
This is the first time that the government has designated research institutes as Usage and Research Centers. From among research institutions attached to public and private universities, which lead research in particular areas, the government chose 73 facilities, which are in high demand among researchers at other universities. Many researchers expressed the wish that RIRBM receive this designation due to a variety of reasons, including the widespread use of nuclear energy and the increase in the use of radiation for medical and industrial purposes.
When RIRBM solicited partners for joint research projects, a total of 34 universities and organizations, including Tokyo University and the National Cancer Center based in Tokyo, responded. Together they will pursue studies on the effects of low-dose radiation, the gene function of hematopoietic stem cells, DNA repair functions and carcinogenic sensitivity, and other themes.
In addition, RIRBM will reorganize its infrastructure and establish a new department for research and analysis of the materials involving radiation exposure. At this new department, they will conduct genomic analyses of pathological specimens from survivors of the atomic bombing and other elements with cutting-edge equipment to explore the effects of radiation, which even now remain unclear. Results of the analyses will be utilized for joint research.
Kenji Kamiya, director of RIRBM, commented, "We seek to actively promote joint usage of RIRBM's valuable materials and equipment as well as joint research projects to solidify our status as an international base of radiation damage and curative development, thus making a positive contribution to the world through our work."
(Originally published on April 1, 2010)
Related articles
Researchers from home and abroad report on research results of black rain (March 4, 2010)
Interview with Professor Masaharu Hoshi: 60 years since the first nuclear test in former Semipalatinsk (Aug. 31, 2009)
Genetic analysis of cancer cells from A-bomb survivors to be launched next spring (June 29, 2009)
