Welcome

I am Takehiko Sasaki, Director of the Medical Research Laboratory (MRL). Established in 1973 at Tokyo Medical and Dental University, our institute now opens a new chapter as part of the Institute of Science Tokyo, which was formed through the merger with the Tokyo Institute of Technology. On behalf of the MRL, I would like to extend my greetings to everyone on this significant occasion.

The mission of our institute is to overcome intractable diseases, defined as conditions for which the causes and mechanisms are not yet fully understood and for which effective diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive measures have not been established. We strive to achieve this through both basic and applied scientific research, contributing to the health and welfare of society. Our institute, one of the largest among national university-affiliated research institutes in Japan, comprises 21 research divisions led by professors, the Laboratory for Integrated Research Projects on Intractable Diseases, the Advanced Technology Laboratories, and the Administration Department. We have been continuously accredited as the Joint Usage/ Research Center for Intractable Diseases by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and we are currently in our third phase of activity as this center. Furthermore, since last year, we have been serving as the leading institution in the "Coalition of Universities for Research Excellence Program," while also expanding the network of collaborative research projects as a partner institution in the "Medical Research Center Initiative for High Depth Omics." We are focusing our efforts on meeting the needs of the nationwide research community.

As the Institute of Science Tokyo advances toward becoming a "world-class science-oriented comprehensive university," we believe the MRL plays a vital role. It serves as a place where researchers from diverse fields in medicine and life sciences can inspire each other’s thoughts and perspectives, leading to innovative scientific research outcomes that benefit society. Along this path, we also consider it crucial to provide young researchers and students with the joy and success of research, fostering their growth into world-leading scientists and sending them forth into society. To maintain such a research laboratory, we will continue to recruit promising talent, strengthen collaboration with internal and external organizations, and enhance our research resources.

While respectfully inheriting the ideals and practices established by our predecessors, including former Director Hiroshi Nishina, everyone at our institute is collectively committed to further developing the MRL as a place where "university-driven research and education" can flourish, meeting the demands of society.
We humbly ask for your continued warm support and guidance.

October 2024
Takehiko Sasaki, Ph.D.