News

The “Research Center for the Control of Gene Expression Using Non-Double Helical Nucleic Acids” submitted by the Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research, Konan University (FIBER, Director: Naoki Sugimoto) has been selected for the “Advanced Research Center Formation Type” of the “Core-to Core Project” for FY2022 of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). The “Research Center for Nucleic Acid Chemistry to Develop Methods to Regulate Gene Expression Using Non-Double Helical Nucleic Acids” was selected as one of the Research Center Formation Project.

The “Core-to-Core Project” aims to establish a world-class research exchange center in the field of nucleic acid chemistry by establishing a sustainable cooperative relationship between research and educational institutions in Japan and around the world on research themes that are recognized as cutting-edge and internationally important in Japan, and to foster young researchers who will be the core of the next generation of researchers. This project aims to establish a sustainable cooperative relationship between research and education institutions in our countries and establish a world-class research exchange center in this field.

This project aims to establish an international center of excellence in nucleic acid chemistry that will lead the 21st century in the field of non double helical nucleic acid chemistry, centered on FIBER, together with five partner institutions (Slovenian NMR Center, Slovenia; University of Reading, UK; Carnegie Mellon University, USA; University of Calcutta, India; and University of Padova, Italy).

A press conference was held on March 18, 2022 to announce the adoption of this project. The press conference was preceded by remarks by President Nakai and an explanation of the project by Director Sugimoto. Following the press conference, articles on the project appeared in the March 24 morning edition of the Kobe Shimbun and the March 28 morning edition of the Sankei Shimbun.

List of adopted “Advanced Research Center Formation Type” in FY2022
https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-c2c/adopted_a.html

FIBER will contribute to the promotion of science and technology and to social contribution through research results in the field of biochemistry.