Suzukake Science Day 2022 held in hybrid format

Saturday, May 14 — Route 16 and Japan: A special lecture

Professor Yanase

On May 14, author and Tokyo Tech Professor Hiroichi Yanase gave a lecture on "Route 16 and Japan," revealing secrets about one of the main thoroughfares in the Kanto region through topographical, historical, cultural, and economic perspectives. The lecture about Route 16 — which runs just southwest of Suzukakedai Campus — was joined by approximately 120 participants both in person and online, many of whom had plenty to ask during the Q&A session that followed.

Route 16, shaped like a horseshoe, runs both along Tokyo Bay and the hilly prefectures surrounding the metropolitan area

Sunday, May 15 — Organization for Fundamental Research members introduce their challenging research topics

On May 15, four young researchers affiliated with the Organization for Fundamental Research (OFR)

, established in July 2018 as a place to foster specialists in fundamental research who will provide strong support for academia in the future, provided easy-to-understand talks about the challenging research they are currently working on. Approximately 80 people tuned in both in person and online. This session, like the one on the previous day, closed with a lively Q&A session.

OFR lectures

Epigenetic mechanisms explored through live cell imaging
Assistant Professor Yuko Sato

, Institute of Innovative Research (IIR)

Constructing artificial structures in cells
Assistant Professor Takayuki Miki

, School of Life Science and Technology

Towards future healthcare with mobile biosensors
Assistant Professor Mana Toma

, School of Engineering

Wireless communication integrated circuits connected to space
Associate Professor Atsushi Shirane

, IIR

(from left) OFR Director Naoto Ohtake, Assoc. Prof. Shirane, Asst. Profs. Miki, Sato, and Toma

Twenty labs invite public to explore their activities virtually

This year, 20 Tokyo Tech research laboratories representing various fields opened their doors to the public online. Based on their daily research activities, members from these labs introduced various topics that included explanations of common illnesses, experiments using microorganisms and other objects around us, and a look at the latest research equipment at the Institute. Most labs also provided real-time interactive and on-demand research introductions in addition to their Open Campus information sessions.

Talks by 20 labs that joined Suzukake Science Day 2022

Human interface that utilizes muscle activity
Koike Lab

Professor Yasuharu Koike, Institute of Innovative Research (IIR)

AI doctor: The world of AI-aided diagnostic imaging
Kenji Suzuki Laboratory

Professor Kenji Suzuki, IIR

Experiencing scent through virtual reality
Nakamoto Lab

Professor, Takamichi Nakamoto, IIR

Interfaces to understand one’s own brain
Yoshimura Lab

Associate Professor Natsue Yoshimura, IIR

Manipulating molecule orientation with light to create new functions
Shishido-Kubo Group

Professor Atsushi Shishido, IIR
Associate Professor Shoichi Kubo, IIR

Pencils turn into diamonds!
Azuma-Yamamoto Group

Professor Masaki Azuma, IIR
Associate Professor Takafumi Yamamoto, IIR

Useful nano-tools through self-assembly
Yoshizawa & Sawada Lab

Professor Michito Yoshizawa, IIR
Associate Professor Tomohisa Sawada, IIR

Alzheimer's and structural biology: Understanding the disease at the molecular level
Ishii Laboratory

Professor Yoshitaka Ishii, School of Life Science and Technology

Organic chemistry: Origins of biotechnology
Urabe-Hata Laboratory

Professor Hirokazu Urabe, School of Life Science and Technology
Associate Professor Takeshi Hata, School of Life Science and Technology

Radiant antibodies: Opening up future diagnostics
Ueda-Kitaguchi Lab

Professor Hiroshi Ueda, IIR
Associate Professor Tetsuya Kitaguchi, IIR

Iron in the body: Important yet unknown roles
Ueno Laboratory

Professor Takafumi Ueno, School of Life Science and Technology

Gene-controlled material transport across the cell membrane — Observing water movement
Kato Laboratory

Associate Professor Akira Kato, School of Life Science and Technology

How information and materials move in our cells
Komada Laboratory

Professor Masayuki Komada, IIR

Why people get cancer and possible cures
Kondoh Lab

Professor Shinae Kondoh, School of Life Science and Technology
Assistant Professor Tetsuya Kadonosono, School of Life Science and Technology

Welcome to the world of protein science
Taguchi Lab

Professor Hideki Taguchi, IIR

Organic synthesis: Exploring and manipulating biological functions to discover new drugs
Nakamura-Okada Laboratory

Professor Hiroyuki Nakamura, IIR
Associate Professor Satoshi Okada, IIR

Extreme environmental microorganisms with unlimited potential
Yatsunami Laboratory

Associate Professor Rie Yatsunami, School of Life Science and Technology

The world of microorganisms
Wachi Laboratory

Professor Masaaki Wachi, School of Life Science and Technology

Intelligent support systems that adjust the "pause"
Miyake Laboratory

Professor Yoshihiro Miyake, School of Computing, IIR

Architecture of the future
Kono Laboratory

Professor Susumu Kono, IIR

Kurarika science class guides 45 elementary school students

Kurarika members conducting class

As in previous years, members of the Tokyo Tech Alumni Association also held Kurarika, an experimental science class that attracted 45 elementary school students and their guardians over the weekend. This year, the participants — joining from all across Japan — created two types of flutes from milk cartons and straws while receiving instructions from Tokyo Tech alumni online. Based on the post-session survey, over 90 percent of students and all guardians said they would like to participate in similar events in the future.

Despite, the continuing challenges posed by COVID-19, the Tokyo Tech community is looking forward to welcoming participants of all ages at Suzukake Science Day 2023.