Synergy and Beyond

Synergy Aimed For

Dr. Shiku: Ah, yes, I have been working to produce scaffolding for stem cell use in growing organs. Actually, we two have recently been talking of collaboration even though there is yet a “bridger” to be found. I think our combination – “chemistry” as it were – bodes well for synergy to be realized.

Dr. Umetsu: I am currently looking to apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) to design efforts, and possibly making molecular recognition of drug candidate easier. In the medical arena there are robots and Internet-of-Things or so-called IoTs being adopted these days.

Dr. Shiku: I believe AI can likely be adopted for the design of systems as well, we have a huge amount of data to deal with too. Speaking of IoT, we obtain a great deal of information from the sensors and other equipment being used to carry out measurements and evaluate materials.

Dr. Umetsu: We should combine forces to deal with such issues then! I think we can not only produce synergy but then go beyond, maybe not for using the microgravity environment in space to make protein crystals but perhaps work jointly as regards intellectual property. *Time now for teamwork to begin?

Porro Unum Est Necessarium

Dr. Shiku: Teamwork is important and now that I have known you for many years I am certain we understand each other well. I observed in the U.S. during my post-doc days that teamwork is a great motivator.

Dr. Umetsu: Yes! As you probably know, I like Roman history and have several Latin words that I am fond of. But, I think the Latin phrase that goes “Porro Unum Est Necessarium” which roughly means “Moreover, one thing is needed” befits the role teamwork can play. In the future we may gain other teammates but let's look to work together in this interesting scientific field.

Dr. Shiku: True, we could possibly gain more when other bio-related units of Tohoku University join us at the Aobayama campus in the near future. 2017 hopefully will be a great year to start new endeavors.

* [Though the Japanese system still does not allow patenting of medical acts unlike other advanced countries, it recently paved the way for supplementary foodstuff patenting. Accordingly there is some notable movement in this front entailing university-backed startups, such as those at Tohoku University in the form of an “antidote” to hangovers that follow drinking sessions.]