UTOPIA 43 Interviews | Vol. 29 Professor Yasuhiro Yamada, Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
—A Book That Sparked My Path to Becoming a Researcher—
Hospitalized in senior year of high school
Inspired to become a good doctor, entered medical school
Encountered a life-changing book: Mind and Matter: To What Extent Can Molecular Biology Unravel the Mysteries of Life by Takashi Tachibana and Susumu Tonegawa
Incredibly fascinating
Wanted to live a life pursuing interesting things
Decided to become a researcher
—Changing Cell Fate—
Not only genetic mutations cause cancer; abnormal gene expression also contributes to cancer development and maintenance
iPS cell technology allows changing cell fate
Restore functions lost due to disease
Reprogram aging cells to rejuvenate them
Targeting various diseases like cancer and diabetes
Transforming pancreatic cells from an adult to an infant state
Research driven by innocent curiosity benefits society in the long term
Pursuing research with intellectual curiosity might impact society in decades
Hope that continued effort will lead to true breakthroughs benefiting society
Biggest joy is when lab members bring interesting research results
Unique satisfaction that only researchers experience
Generally tough, but the tougher it is, the greater the joy when breakthroughs happen
—UTOPIA: New Opportunities for Infectious Disease Research—
Infectious diseases and reprogramming, previously distant fields, are now connected through UTOPIA
Studying how changing cell fate affects infection responses
Hope that modifying immune cell characteristics could change responses to viruses
—The Joyful Path of Research—
Being a researcher is the most interesting
Want to inspire young people to see the appeal of research
Hope they become world leaders
Life is short; let's pursue things that bring joy
Produced by Imagine inc.
------------------
The University of Tokyo Pandemic Preparedness, Infection, and Advanced Research Center (UTOPIA) was established on 18 October 2022, as the third research organization of the University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS).
With a mission to protect people from infectious diseases and pandemics, UTOPIA brings together top researchers, transcending disciplinary boundaries, to advance infectious disease prevention and vaccine development.
In addition to experts in the fields of infectious diseases, immunology, and vaccines, UTOPIA gathers researchers from diverse fields such as AI, structural biology, social sciences, and others who have not previously been involved in infectious disease research. We also establish collaborative networks with international institutions, fostering a global cooperation framework.
By directly connecting academia, industry, and clinical settings, we aim to establish a robust infrastructure for the rapid delivery of effective and safe vaccines and therapeutics in response to emerging pandemics.