Longevity Cluster Research Center

Center Director: Hideyuki Okano (Dean, School of Medicine)

Main Campus: Shinanomachi

This organization transcends the boundaries of faculties and graduate schools to promote interdisciplinary research that supports the sustainable development of a super-aging society from the perspectives of longevity, safety, and creativity. Keio University will further enhance its international recognition through research in longevity, safety, and creativity, while simultaneously striving to increase the number of high-quality, internationally co-authored papers through international joint research, thereby realizing its Super Global initiative.

The Longevity Cluster Research Center will use research grants within Keio, such as the (tentatively named) "Cluster Research Promotion Grant" planned for establishment in FY2015, as seed funding to advance its research. It will also acquire domestic and international research funds to further develop its research and enhance its role as a research showcase for Keio University both in Japan and abroad.

Longevity

Regenerative medicine, advanced medical care, dementia research, social security, BMI rehabilitation

■ Regarding activities continuing from the previous fiscal year: Background, rationale, and goals for continuation

As a research hub aiming to become a world-leading university, the establishment of the Longevity Cluster Research Center within the Keio Advanced Research Centers (KARC) will create an organization that transcends the boundaries of faculties and graduate schools to promote interdisciplinary research supporting the sustainable development of a super-aging society from the perspective of longevity. Keio University will realize its Super Global initiative by further enhancing its international recognition through longevity research and, at the same time, striving to increase the number of high-quality, internationally co-authored papers through international joint research.

■ New activity goals and content for FY2015, and background for implementation

By integrating research grants within Keio, such as the "Cluster Research Promotion Grant" currently open for application in FY2015, the Longevity Cluster Research Center will develop international joint research. It will utilize resources such as Guest Professors (Global) to produce internationally co-authored papers, thereby improving both citations and reputation.

■ Implementation details relative to the business plan for the fiscal year, and research outcomes and degree of achievement

We conducted investigations and reviews on a wide range of research developments, including regenerative medicine, social systems, and haptic communications. To promote research development as the Longevity Cluster, we are conducting a university-wide call for applications for the Super Global Research Grant Program.

Longevity Cluster Symposium: November 1, 2014, East Research Building, G-SEC, Mita Campus

We were able to establish a foundation that will use research grants within Keio, such as the (tentatively named) "Cluster Research Promotion Grant" planned for establishment in FY2015, as seed funding to advance research. This foundation will also acquire domestic and international research funds to further develop research and enhance its role as a research showcase for Keio University both in Japan and abroad.