2021-22 Hokkaido University
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2021-22 Hokkaido University
CONTENTS DNA design brings predictability to polymer gels 3 Cancer registry improves understanding of rare ovarian tumor 4 120-year-old reaction turned on its head with environment-friendly, paste-based method 5 New nano particles suppress resistance to cancer immunotherapy 6 Magnetic patterns hidden in meteorites reveal early Solar System dynamics 8 COVID-19 RESEARCH 10 Corals tell Arabian Sea story of global warming 12 Newly identified atmospheric circulation enhances heatwaves and wildfires around the Arctic 14 INTERVIEW Two Ig Nobel laureates Discuss “Research that makes people laugh and then think” 16 Causes of concrete and asphalt deterioration explained 20 Plant flowering in low-nitrogen soils: a mechanism revealed 21 HIGHLIGHT ON RESEARCH The Silence of Indigenous people 22 INTERVIEW Benjamin List awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 24 AWARDS 25 Blue LEDs light the way toward sustainable development 27 HIGHLIGHT ON RESEARCH Low temperature science: the past, present, and future 28 NEWS 30 HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY AT A GLANCE 32 Cover image Adobe Stock © Siarhei
MATERIAL SCIENCE
DNA design brings predictability
to polymer gels
Simulations have led to the fabrication of a polymer-DNA gel that could
be used in tissue regeneration and robotics.
S cientis t s have made a
tuneable, elastic and tempera- Under visible light
ture-sensitive gel by using
complementary DNA strands
to connect star-shaped polymer
molecules together. The gel,
and the method used to develop
it, could lead to advances in
tissue regeneration, drug deliv-
ery and soft robotics. Xiang
Li at Hokkaido University led (Top) The star-polymer-DNA-
Under excitation light gel (left) liquifies when its
the team of researchers who
temperature is increased to more
reported their findings in the than 70˚C (center), and returns
journal Polymer Science. to a gel when the temperature
“Gels are made by using drops back to 25˚C (right).
(Bottom) Under UV light, the
bonds to link polymer mole- star-polymer-DNA-gel fluoresces
cules together,” explains Li. green (left, right), but does not
“When the bonds are con- fluoresce when liquified
(Photo: Xiang Li)
nected, the material is more
solid, and when they break in
response to stress, the material Looking to solve this prob- glycol (PEG). They prepared
turns to liquid.” lem, Li and his colleagues used the gel by dissolving DNA
Owing to their high bio- software programs to simulate strands and PEG separately in
compatibility, water solubility the formation of different DNA buffer solutions before mixing
and temperature sensitivity, sequences and their com- them together. Finally, they
DNA strands would be highly plementary strands, and to conducted a series of experi-
suitable for linking polymer determine how these double ments and analyses to evaluate
molecules by taking advantage strands respond to changes in the resulting gel’s properties.
of their ability to form com- temperature. The gel performed as pre-
plementary bonds. However, Based on the software dicted by the simulations, ORIGINAL ARTICLE
scientists have so far found it simulations, they chose a remaining elastic, self-repair- Masashi Ohira, et al. Star-
Polymer-DNA Gels Showing
difficult to use DNA links to pair of complementary DNA ing and solid until its melting
Highly Predictable and Tunable
develop homogeneous gels with sequences to link four-armed temperature of 63°C over Mechanical Responses.
on-demand elastic properties. molecules of polyethylene multiple testing cycles. The Advanced Materials. January 16,
2022.
experiments also showed that
the PEG molecules were homo-
FUNDING
geneously linked together by This study was supported
the DNA double strands and by the JSPS (JP17K14536,
that liquid formation happened JP19K15628, JP20J22044,
JP20K15338, JP16H02277),
when the strands separated. JST(JPMJFR201Z,
“Our findings suggest that JPMJCE1304, JPMJCE1305,
we will be able to fabricate JPMJCR1992). The SANS
experiments were performed
DNA gels with on-demand vis- at J-PARC, Ibaraki, Japan
coelastic properties by making (Proposal 2017B0138).
use of already available data
on DNA thermodynamics and CONTACT
The star-polymer-DNA gel consists of complementary DNA strands (red
Associate Professor Xiang Li
and blue) linked to a molecule called polyethylene glycol (PEG, black). At kinetics,” says Li. “The aim will
Faculty of Advanced Life Science
lower temperatures, the DNA strands form complementary bonds leading be to improve the understand- Hokkaido University
to a gel; as the temperatures increase, the complementary bonds break
ing and applications of this x.li@sci.hokudai.ac.jp
and the gel liquifies. (Masashi Ohira, et al. Advanced Materials. January
16, 2022). class of gel.”
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY • 3
MEDICINE
Cancer registry
improves understanding
of rare ovarian tumor
Examination of
Japanese cases
of gynecological
cancer offers a
better understanding
of the profile of a
rare ovarian tumor
and could change
treatment guidelines.
Ovarian granulosa cell tumors
are a rare type of ovarian can-
cer that affect the ovaries
and fallopian tubes, and can
extend further into the pelvis
and lymph nodes. Treatment
typically follows the same
guidelines as other ovarian
cancers and often sees the
lymph nodes removed via
surgery.
Researchers at Hokkaido
University and colleagues
Ovarian granulosa cell tumor
have analyzed the disease cell tumors and say more inva- This study represents analysis (Photo: Yasuhiko Ebina).
and treatment of hundreds of sive surgery could be avoided of the second largest sample
women with ovarian granulosa in some cases. The findings, size of ovarian granulosa cell
published in the journal Gyne- tumors in the scientific liter- designed to protect fertil-
cologic Oncology, improve ature and is the largest such ity, typically by removing
understanding of how the dis- cohort study in Asia. only an early-stage tumor
ease progresses and responds They found that just under or the affected ovary and
to therapy. 2% of the women in the reg- tube, did not worsen their
“Our main objective with istry were diagnosed with prognosis. This suggests
this study was to improve this specific cancer, with a that fertility-sparing surgery
understanding of the clinical, median age of 55. Importantly, could be considered for more
Illustration by Yasuhiko Ebina
pathological and prognostic microscopic examination of women in the early stages of
features of ovarian granulosa surgically removed lymph the disease.
cell tumors,” says Hokkaido node tissue showed that ear- “Our findings have led us
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Yasuhiko Ebina, et al. Univer sity gyne colo gical ly-stage tumors only rarely to conclude that lymph node
Clinicopathological oncologist Yasuhiko Ebina. spread beyond the ovaries and dissection can be omitted if
characteristics and prognostic
To investigate the disease, fallopian tubes. the surgeon finds the tumor
factors of ovarian granulosa cell
tumors: A JSGO-JSOG joint Ebina and a team of scien- The team found a worse limited to the ovarian and
study. Gynecologic Oncology. tists from several Japanese prognosis for patients with fallopian tube tissue follow-
August 26, 2021.
universities accessed the Gyne- cancers that had spread ing a thorough exploration of
cological Tumor Registry of the beyond the ovaries and tubes. the abdominal cavity,” says
CONTACT
Professor Yasuhiko Ebina Japan Society of Obstetrics and Those whose tumors were Ebina. “At the same time, as
Division of Comprehensive Gynecology. They examined incompletely removed during much of the tumor should be
Development Nursing the data of 1,426 patients in the surgery also had worse five- removed as possible to ensure
Faculty of Health Sciences
Hokkaido University registry who were diagnosed year survival rates. that residual tissue is not left
ebiyas@hs.hokudai.ac.jp with ovarian granulosa cell They also found that sur- behind at the end of the initial
tumors between 2002 and 2015. gery in patients under 50 surgery.”
4 • HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
CHEMISTRY
120-year-old reaction turned on
its head with environment-friendly,
paste-based method
A new method for creating one of chemistry’s most widely used classes of
compounds could revolutionize industrial processes, making them cheaper,
simpler and more environmentally friendly.
A group of researchers led by
scientists at Hokkaido Univer-
sity have developed a simpler,
greener method for producing
Grignard reagents—one of the
most important and widely
used type of reagents in the
chemical industry—that dras-
tically cuts down on the use
of hazardous organic solvents
and could lead to reduced
production costs. This new
process was reported in Nature
Communications. (Left) Reaction mixture of magnesium metal and organohalide after one hour of ball milling. Use of this material
Grignard reagents are in subsequent reactions led to only a 6% yield of the desired product. (Right) Same process, but with a small
amount of organic solvent also added at the beginning. Use of this paste form of Grignard reagent in subsequent
an essential ingredient in a
reactions led to yields of up to 94% of the desired product (Photo: Koji Kubota).
common method for creat-
ing carbon-carbon bonds, the The chamber was then spun environmental benefits, this Professor Koji Kubota. “Gri-
building blocks of organic for one hour, causing the ball discovery could have a huge gnard reagents are arguably
molecules. These reagents to tumble around and slam effect on chemical industries. the most well-known, com-
were discovered 120 years ago, into the solid-state reactants, “ With a growing need monly us ed reagents in
but due to their instability, helping them to mix thor- to address environmental industry, and so our work could
the conventional production oughly and react, forming a concerns and reduce CO � fundamentally change the way
method still used today is paste-like Grignard reagent. emissions, it is important to a vast number of chemicals are
carried out in toxic organic sol- It is more difficult for develop chemical reactions produced at scale, leading to
vents and with no exposure to water or oxygen to affect the that don’t require organic sol- significantly reduced impact
moisture and oxygen. This Grignard reagents when less vents,” commented Associate on the environment.”
results in a complicated, del- organic solvent is used. This
icate, and expensive process means that removing water
that produces environmentally and oxygen from the sur- ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Rina Takahashi, et al.
hazardous waste. rounding air is not required, Mechanochemical synthesis
Researchers sidestepped making the process easier to of magnesium-based carbon
these problems by minimizing perform and less costly. Given nucleophiles in air and their use
in organic synthesis. Nature
the amount of organic sol- the potential economic and Communications. November 18,
vent used and by employing a 2021.
mechanochemical technique
called ball-milling to produce FUNDING
This work was supported by JSPS
Grignard reagents. The reac-
(17H06370, 18H03907, 20H0479,
tants, magnesium metal and 21H01926, 19J20824), JST
organohalides, were loaded (JPMJCR19R1, JPMJFR201I), and
MEXT.
into a metal chamber along
with a stainless-steel ball. In Professor Hajime Ito (top) and
Associate Professor Koji Kubota
CONTACT
a key step, a small amount of Associate Professor Koji Kubota
(bottom) of the research team
organic solvent—about one- at Hokkaido University and the Institute for Chemical Reaction
tenth the amount used in Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery
The ball mill used to produce Design and Discovery (ICReDD). Hokkaido University
conventional methods—was Grignard reagents in the study (Photos provided by ICReDD). kbt@eng.hokudai.ac.jp
added to the solid reactants. (Photo: Koji Kubota).
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY • 5
New nano particles
suppress resistance
to cancer immunotherapy
After intravenous injection into
mice, STING-lipid nanoparticles
(red) transported through blood
vessels (green) accumulate in the
liver (Takashi Nakamura, et al.
Journal for ImmunoTherapy of
Cancer. July 2, 2021).
6 • HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
BIOLOGY
A specially designed lipid nanoparticle could
deliver immune-signaling molecules into liver
macrophage cells to overcome resistance to
anti-tumor immunotherapy.
“Our lipid nanoparticles
Hokkaido University scien- The lipid, called YSK12-C4, carrying immune-signaling
tists and colleagues in Japan has a high affinity for immune
have found a way that could cells. When intravenously molecules convert
help some patients overcome injected into mice with met-
resistance to an immuno- astatic melanoma, it was able
the immune status from
therapy treatment for cancer.
The approach, proven in mice
to deliver signaling molecules,
called cyclic dinucleotides,
immunologically cold
experiments, was reported in across the cell membranes of to immunologically hot.”
the Journal for Immunother- their liver macrophages, where
apy of Cancer. they stimulated the production
The activation of check- of immune-related proteins
point proteins on the surfaces called type 1 interferons via a
of immune cells help regu- stimulator of an interferon gene natural killer cells, which then
late the immune response by (STING) pathway. These were became armed and able to
preventing them from indis- released into the blood, acti- launch a full-scale attack.
criminately attacking the vating another type of immune “ The findings suggest
body’s other cells. But some cell called natural killer cells in that our lipid nanoparticles
cancer cells are able to hijack the spleen and lung, which pro- carrying immune-signaling
this mechanism, preventing duced interferon-gamma inside molecules convert the immune
an immune response against the lung metastases. status from immunologi-
them as well. Scientists have This treatment, on its cally cold to immunologically
recently developed immune own, only elicited a mild hot,” says Takashi Nakamura
checkpoint inhibitors that can anti-tumor effect. This is of Hokkaido University ’s
counteract this strategy, but because the type 1 interfer- faculty of pharmaceutical sci-
some people are resistant to ons and interferon-gamma ences. “This could lead to the
the treatments. triggered the expression of development of a promising
Now, scientists at Hokkaido a protein called PD -L1 on adjuvant that reduces resis-
University and Aichi Institute the cancer cells. PD-L1 pre- tance to anti-PD-1 antibody
of Technology have found a vents a strong tumor-killing treatment in some cancer
way around this by develop- immune response of natural patients.”
ing a specially designed lipid killer cells that express PD-1. Further studies will need
nanoparticle that can carry Administering an anti-PD-1 to examine whether the treat- Takashi Nakamura, lead author of this
study (Photo: Takashi Nakamura).
immunity-triggering mole- immunotherapy treatment, ment can cause liver toxicity
cules into immune cells in the however, prevented the can- and if different signaling mol-
liver called macrophages. cer cells from turning off those ecules can be used. ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Takashi Nakamura, et al. STING
agonist loaded lipid nanoparticles
overcome anti-PD-1 resistance
in melanoma lung metastasis via
NK cell activation. Journal for
ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. July
PBS anti-PD-1 STING-LNP anti-PD-1 + 2, 2021.
STING-LNP
FUNDING
This work was supported by
MEXT, AMED and Hokkaido
University
CONTACT
Assistant Professor Takashi
Nakamura
Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Combination therapy against anti-PD-1-resistant lung cancer. A combination of anti-PD-1 antibodies and Sciences
stimulator of an interferon gene (STING)-loaded lipid nanoparticles (STING-LNP) had the maximum effect in Hokkaido University
reducing metastases (black regions) on lungs (pink tissue; far right). STING-lipid nanoparticles alone had a Tel: +81-11-706-3918
better effect (center right) than anti-PD-1 antibodies (center left), which were as effective as the control saline tnakam@pharm.hokudai.ac.jp
solution (far left; Takashi Nakamura, et al. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. July 2, 2021).
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY • 7
ASTRONOMY
Magnetic patterns hidden
in meteorites reveal early
Solar System dynamics
Researchers have developed a novel technique to investigate
the dynamics of the early Solar System by analyzing magnetites
in meteorites utilizing the wave nature of electrons.
Yuki Kimura, an associate technique to study the rem-
professor at the Institute of nant magnetization of particles
Low Temperature Science at in the Tagish Lake meteorite,
“Our nanometer-scale Hokkaido University who led believed to have been formed
the study. “To understand the in the cold outer Solar System.
paleomagnetic
physical and chemical history U s i n g t h e te c h n i q u e,
method will unveil of the Solar System, it is cru- together with numerical sim-
a detailed history cial to analyze various types ulation, the team showed that
of meteorites with different the parent body of the Tagish
of the early Solar
origins.” Lake meteorite was formed in
System.“ While there are many the Kuiper Belt, a region in the
meteorites available for study outer Solar System, sometime
here on Earth, most of them around 3 million years after
originated from the asteroid the first Solar System minerals
Within meteorites, the mag- belt, between Mars and Jupi- formed. It then moved to the
netic fields associated with ter. These samples are used orbit of the asteroid belt as a
the particles that make up to study what the early Solar result of the formation of Jupi-
the object can act as a histor- System looked like. However, ter. The magnetite was formed
ical record. By analyzing such it becomes difficult to recon- when the parent body was
magnetic fields, scientists can struct events that happened heated to about 250°C by radio-
deduce the probable events farther out in the Solar System, genic heating and an energetic
that affected the object and well past the asteroid belt. impact which is thought to
reconstruct a time-lapse of This is where the research have occurred during the
what events occurred on the team took great strides in body’s transit from the Kuiper
meteorite and when. understanding outer Solar belt to the Asteroid belt.
“Primitive meteorites are System dynamics soon after “Our results help us infer
time capsules of primordial the system formed. The paper, the early dynamics of Solar
materials formed at the begin- published in The Astrophysical System bodies that occurred
ning of our Solar System,” said Journal Letters, details a novel several million years after the
formation of the Solar System,
and imply a highly efficient
formation of the outer bodies
of the Solar System, including
Jupiter,” says Kimura.
The new technique, called
“nanometer-scale paleomag-
netic electron holography,”
involves using the wave nature
of electrons to examine their
interference patterns, known
as a hologram, to extract high
The new technique to analyze magnetic fields reveals events that occurred on the Tagish Lake meteorite. Electron resolution information from
microscope image (left), a magnetic flux distribution image (middle), and a color-wheel map image (right) of
the structure of the meteorites.
magnetite particles from the Tagish Lake meteorite. The red arrows and white arrows indicate the directions
of the magnetization vectors and the direction of the magnetization, respectively. (Yuki Kimura, et al., The This high-resolution technique
Astrophysical Journal Letters, August 11, 2021) adds another crucial tool to the
8 • HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
Jupiter and a comet formed in a
toolbox of researchers work- samples from an asteroid Our nanometer-scale paleo- cold outer region of the early solar
system.(Illustration provided by Yuki
ing to understand the early still in orbit around the Sun, magnetic method will unveil Kimura)
dynamics of the entire Solar called Ryugu. Kimura detailed a detailed history of the early
System. their ongoing research plan: Solar System.”
Armed with their new tech- “We are analyzing the sam-
nique, the team hopes to apply ples that Hayabusa 2 brought
it to more samples, including back from the asteroid Ryugu.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE FUNDING CONTACT
Yuki Kimura, Kazuo Yamamoto, This study was supported by Associate Professor Yuki Kimura
Shigeru Wakita. Electron the JSPS KAKENHI (16K13909, Institute of Low Temperature
holography reveals early planetary 20H05657). Science,
dynamics of the Solar System. Hokkaido University
The Astrophysical Journal Letters, ykimura@lowtem.hokudai.ac.jp
August 11, 2021.
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY • 9
COVID-19
Research at Hokkaido University
REVEALED:
HOW SARS-COV-2
EVADES OUR IMMUNE
SYSTEM
Koichi Kobayashi, Graduate
School of Medicine
Hirofumi Sawa, International
Institute for Zoonosis Control
Scientists at Hokkaido University
and Texas A&M University have
identified a key mechanism used
by the SARS-CoV-2 virus to evade
host immune systems.
Nature Communications.
November 15, 2021
A NOVEL DEFENSE MECHANISM
FOR SARS-COV-2 DISCOVERED
Akinori Takaoka, Institute for Genetic Medicine
Scientists from Hokkaido University have discovered a novel
defensive response to SARS-CoV-2 that involves the viral
pattern recognition receptor RIG-I. Upregulating expression
of this protein could strengthen
the immune response in COPD patients.
Nature Immunology. May 11, 2021
Adobe stock ©Production Perig
A RAPID METHOD TO QUANTIFY
ANTIBODIES AGAINST SARS-COV-2
Manabu Tokeshi, Faculty of Engineering
Scientists have developed a rapid, highly accurate test to
detect antibodies against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2
in human serum, opening a new avenue for understanding Check out the most
the full extent of the pandemic and evaluating the recent COVID-19
effectiveness of vaccines. Research at Hokkaido
Biosensors and Bioelectronics. June 5, 2021 UniversityPANDEMIC CHANGED
PERCEPTIONS
OF MASKED FACES
Jun I. Kawahara, Faculty
of Letters
The Covid-19 pandemic has improved
perceptions of facial attractiveness
and healthiness of people wearing face
masks in Japan.
i-Perception. June 27, 2021
Adobe stock ©tokyo studio
TRACKING SARS-COV-2 DURING TOKYO 2020
VIA WASTEWATER
A NOVEL, QUICK, Masaaki Kitajima, Faculty of Engineering
AND EASY SYSTEM Wastewater-based epidemiological tracking of COVID-19 in the Tokyo
FOR GENETIC ANALYSIS 2020 Olympic and Paralympic village showed that SARS-CoV-2 was
OF SARS-COV-2 present in areas without diagnosed individuals.
Takasuke Fukuhara, Graduate Journal of Travel Medicine. February 3, 2022
School of Medicine
Researchers from Osaka University and
Hokkaido University have developed
a system for analyzing mutations in
A RAPID ANTIGEN TEST
SARS-CoV-2 that is much simpler and
faster than existing methods. FOR SARS-COV-2 IN SALIVA
Cell Reports. April 1, 2021 Isao Yokota and Takanori Teshima,
Faculty of Medicine
Scientists from Hokkaido University have shown that an antigen-
based test for quantifying SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples is
simple, rapid, and more conducive for mass-screening.
The Lancet Microbe. May 19, 2021
ESTABLISHING AN AUTOMATED
SYSTEM FOR THE ANALYSIS OF
SARS-COV-2 IN WASTEWATER
Masaaki Kitajima, Faculty of
Engineering
On March 19, 2021, Hokkaido University,
Robotic Biology Institute Inc., iLAC Co., Ltd.,
and Shionogi & Co., Ltd. have entered into a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) toward
the establishment of an automated system
for the analysis of the novel coronavirus
(SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater.
Adobe stock @ PaylessimagesEARTH SCIENCE
Corals tell
Arabian Sea story
of global warming
Coral insights into 1,000 years of seasonal changes
in the Arabian Sea warn of significant impacts caused
by global warming.
Every year, the southwesterly global warming is causing the phenomenon has not been
winds of the summer mon- changes to the Arabian Sea monitored continuously, so
soon sweep down the Arabian that could impact the climate, available measurements aren’t
Peninsula, pushing the surface ecosystems and socioeconom- enough to tell the whole story.
waters of the Arabian Sea away ics of the densely populated Watanabe and his col-
from the coast and driving an areas surrounding the Indian leagues analysed fossil and
upwelling of deep waters to the Ocean. The findings were modern corals off an Omani
surface. This rising seawater is published in the journal Geo- island in the Arabian Sea. They
colder and less saline than the physical Research Letters. identified the ages of the corals
surface water and is rich in Stronger summer mon- they collected and established
nutrients, providing energy for soon winds lead to a stronger a correlation between coral
the various organisms living in upwelling in the Arabian Sea. data and seawater tempera-
the Arabian Sea and Indian Stronger winds form when the ture changes over a very fine
Ocean. air over the Indian subcon- timescale, and used that infor-
Scientists from Japan, Tai- tinent warms more rapidly mation to extrapolate salinity
wan and Germany, including than the air over the Indian changes. The four fossil corals
coral reef scientist Dr. Tsuy- Ocean. Recently, however, the they used dated to approxi-
oshi Watanabe of Hokkaido opposite has been happening. mately 1167 CE, 1624 CE, 1703
University, have uncovered Scientists wanted to know CE and 1968 CE, respectively.
evidence from corals off the how this change affects the They took samples from the
Collecting coral samples
coast of Oman suggesting that Arabian Sea upwelling, but corals at different depths
in the waters off Oman
(Photo: Tsuyoshi Watanabe). towards their cores, and then
analysed the ratio of strontium
to calcium in the samples, as
well as the amounts of oxy-
gen and carbon isotopes. The
growth rate of the corals is
steady over centuries, and the
skeletons contain a record of
the changes in elements. Gen-
erally, as water temperatures
rise, the strontium-to-calcium
ratio and isotope oxygen-18 in
coral decrease.
The results showed that the
summer Arabian Sea upwelling
was relatively stable through
the warmer period of the medi-
eval climate anomaly in the
12th century; the cooler little ice
age, which extended between
the 14th and 19th centuries
AD; and up until the mid-20th
century. After this period, how-
ever, the scientists observed a
clear weakening of the Arabian
12 • HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITYA piece of coral from one of the coral reefs in the Arabian Sea (Photo: Tsuyoshi Watanabe).
Sea upwelling. They reason this “The seasonal upwelling
can most likely be explained by is vital for commercial fishing
faster warming of the north- and has significant impacts
ern Indian Ocean, caused by on the regional climate, eco-
greenhouse gases, and slowed systems and socioeconomics,”
warming of the Indian sub- says Tsuyoshi Watanabe. “Our
continent, caused by the findings imply that weakening
absorption of sunrays by aero- of the Arabian Sea upwelling is Tsuyoshi Watanabe, corresponding
author of the current study, in Oman
sol emissions over South Asia. likely to continue along with (Photo: Tsuyoshi Watanabe).
This then weakens the summer global warming, impacting
monsoon winds, impacting monsoon rainfalls, sea levels,
the strength of the Arabian Sea fisheries and even agricultural ORIGINAL ARTICLE
upwelling. production.” Takaaki K. Watanabe, et al.
Corals reveal an unprecedented
decrease of Arabian Sea
upwelling during the current
“Our findings imply warming era. Geophysical
Research Letters. May 24, 2021.
that weakening of
FUNDING
the Arabian Sea This work was supported by
JSPS KAKENHI (JP25257207),
upwelling is likely to the Ministry of Science and
Technology, Taiwan ROC (9109-
continue along with 2123-M-002-001), the National
global warming.” Taiwan University (109L8926),
and the Higher Education
Sprout Project of the Ministry
of Education, Taiwan ROC
(109L901001).
Warming trends of the northern Indian CONTACT
Ocean and the Indian subcontinent. The Dr. Tsuyoshi Watanabe
Arabian Sea has warmed to a much larger Department of Natural
extent than the Indian subcontinent. The History Sciences
star indicates the sample site of modern and Faculty of Science
fossil Arabian Sea corals used in this study Hokkaido University
(Takaaki K. Watanabe, et al. Geophysical nabe@sci.hokudai.ac.jp
Research Letters. May 24, 2021).
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY • 13A satellite image of Alaska on July
9, 2019. The red spots indicate
the locations of wildfires; the
smoke from these wildfires is also
visible (Terra/MODIS Corrected
Newly identified atmospheric
Reflectance True Color image
with Suomi NPP/VIIRS Fires and circulation enhances heatwaves
and wildfires around the Arctic
Thermal Anomalies (Day, 375m),
NASA Worldview).
Scientists have uncovered a summertime climate pattern in and around
FACING PAGE the Arctic that could drive co-occurrences of European heatwaves and
The relationships among CAW,
heatwaves, wildfires, and pollution. large-scale wildfires with air pollution over Siberia and subpolar North
(Teppei J. Yasunari, et al. America.
Environmental Research Letters.
May 17, 2021).
A team of scientists from existing in the Arctic. In focusing on the recent period
Japan, South Korea, and the our scientific field, it is also from 2003 to 2017. They
USA , including Hokkaido known that deposition of assessed comprehensive air
University’s Assistant Profes- light-absorbing aerosols onto pollution (i.e., PM2.5) in the
sor Teppei J. Yasunari, have snow surfaces can induce the Arctic for as long as the past
revealed relationships among so-called snow darkening 15 years, seeking to clarify the
wildfires, aerosols (air pollu- effect, contributing to acceler- relationships between varia-
tion), and climate patterns ated snow melting. For these tions in PM2.5 and aerosols,
in and around the Arctic. reasons, long-term assess- wildfires, and the relevant cli-
They have published their ments of PM2.5 and aerosols mate patterns.
discoveries in the journal Envi- in the Arctic and surrounding “We found 13 out of the 20
ronmental Research Letters. regions are required,” said months with highest PM2.5
“Wildfires lead to exten- Yasunari. in the Arctic during the 15
sive air pollution, primarily in For their investigations, the year period were in summer.
the form of inhalable partic- scientists used the MERRA-2 The elevated PM2.5 levels
ulate matter with diameters (Modern-Era Retrospective were highly correlated with
of 2.5 micrometers or smaller analysis for Research and relatively higher organic car-
(PM2.5). Arctic hazes during Applications, version 2) data- bon aerosol concentrations,
winter and spring are typical set and fire data by satellite, implying active wildfires.
phenomena due to aerosols both produced by NASA , We c o n c l u d e d t h a t t h e
14 • HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITYEARTH SCIENCE
summertime wildfires con- also seen in the early summer the connections between Dr. Nakbin Choi and Professor
tributed to those months with of 2019, which was outside weather conditions, wild- Myong-In Lee, Ulsan National
exceptionally high PM2.5 in the period of the MERRA-2 fire-induced air pollution, and Institute of Science and Tech-
the Arctic. In those months, analyses. climate patterns. “We have nology, Republic of Korea; and
the wildfires likely occurred This study has also just found the CAW pattern, Professor Yoshihiro Tachibana,
under extremely warm and dry revealed that the summertime but do not yet know its trigger Mie University, Japan, and two
conditions. Those were due CAW pattern in the atmo- mechanism and persistence scientists from the Goddard
to concomitantly persistent spheric circulations became under the present and future Space Flight Center, National
or developed high-pressure only prominent after 2002. climate conditions,” remarked Aeronautics and Space Admin-
systems over Europe, Siberia, This finding suggests the Yasunari. istration (NASA), USA.
and subpolar North America, increasing climatic signifi- The elucidation of the CAW
namely, Alaska and Canada,” cance of the CAW pattern as formation and activity is vital
explained Yasunari. a driver of possible co-occur- in future works; better pro-
The scientists named this rences of European heatwaves jections in summer will help
climate (atmospheric circula- and wildfires over Siberia and develop effective measures for
tion) pattern, the circum-Arctic subpolar North America in people living in and around the
wave (CAW) pattern, as a driver recent years. Both wildfire Arctic in responding to large-
for enhancing the co-occur- smoke that increases PM2.5 scale summer heatwaves and
rence of heatwaves in Europe and heatwaves are of signifi- severe wildfires.
and wildfires in Siberia and cant concern to human health. Involved in this study were
subpolar North America. In This study has expanded Professor Hisashi Nakamura,
fact, the CAW-like pattern was conventional knowledge of The University of Tokyo, Japan;
ORIGINAL ARTICLE FUNDING CONTACT
Teppei J. Yasunari, et al. This study was supported by the Assistant Professor Teppei
Relationship between circum- MEXT ArCS (JPMXD1300000000) J. Yasunari
Arctic atmospheric wave patterns and ArCS II (JPMXD1420318865) Arctic Research Center
and large-scale wildfires in boreal projects; the JSPS KAKENHI Hokkaido University
summer. Environmental Research (17H02958, 17KT0066, 18H01278, t.j.yasunari@arc.hokudai.ac.jp
Letters. 19H01976, 19H05668, 19H05698,
May 17, 2021. 19H05702, 20H01970, 20K12197);
and the MOE (JPMEERF20192004).
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY • 15TWO IG NOBEL LAUREATES DISCUSS “RESEARCH THAT MAKES PEOPLE LAUGH AND THEN THINK” 16 • HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
INTERVIEW
The Ig Nobel Prize, established in 1991, is
awarded to “research that makes people
laugh and then think” and is also known
as the “behind-the-scenes Nobel Prize.”
In 2021, the online award ceremony was
held on September 9 (Boston time, USA),
and it was the 15th consecutive year that
a Japanese researcher won the prize. Our
university has two Ig Nobel Prize win-
ners: Professor Toshiyuki Nakagaki of the
Research Institute for Electronic Science,
who won the Cognitive Science Prize in
2008 and the Transportation Planning
Prize in 2010, and Associate Professor
Kazunori Yoshizawa of the Research Fac-
ulty of Agriculture, who won the Biology
Prize in 2017. The prize-winners, who
have been researching “slime mold” and
“barklice,” respectively—both of which
are unknown to most people—discussed
each other’s research and the environ-
ment of Hokkaido University.
Professor Toshiyuki Nakagaki (left),
Research Institute for Electronic
Science; Associate Professor
Kazunori Yoshizawa (right),
Research Faculty of Agriculture,
Hokkaido University
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY • 17INTERVIEW
Associate Professor
Kazunori Yoshizawa,
Research Faculty of
Agriculture
The copulatory organ of
female Neotrogla. The blue-
colored part is the female
penis. (Photo by Kazunori
Yoshizawa)
Conveying the true joy of science Y: Researchers, including us, are extremely Y: During mating, the female inserts her
through unexpectedly funny research serious, and that’s why it’s so interesting. penis into the male’s body and sucks out
Yoshizawa: You have won the Ig Nobel the sperm and nutrition. There is a fierce
Prize twice. What was it like when you won Discovery of Insects with Male and struggle between the male and female,
the first one? Female Sex Organs Reversed like, “Give me the semen!” “No, I won’t do
Nakagaki: The Ig Nobel Prize is a parody N: Mr. Yoshizawa, you won an award for it so easily!” (laughs)
of the Nobel Prize, so when I went to the your research on a new insect species N: So it’s the opposite of ordinary
first award ceremony, I thought the mood in which the male has a vagina, and the creatures.
would be more chilly. I thought I would be female has a penis. Y: My current guess is that females came
the target of ridicule. But it was a very fun Y: Reproduction is a competition between to have penises as the power relationship
ceremony full of all kinds of tricks and lit- sexes to maximize benefit. The insect I during mating was reversed.
tle stories. studied, a genus of barklice called Neo- N: Just by talking about it, it changes the
Y: I wasn’t able to attend the ceremony trogla, lives in a very nutrient-poor cave way we look at males and females. I think
when I was awarded, but I felt that way in Brazil, so the semen of the male is it’s research that makes us fundamentally
when I watched the broadcast of the cere- a valuable source of nutrition for the reconsider the evolution of males and
mony. They used the Nobel Prize and the female. So the female has evolved to have females.
authority itself as a laughing stock. a switching valve to increase the amount
N: The spirit of the prize is to make people of semen receiving ports to two, so that Demonstrating the cleverness of slime
laugh and then make them think, isn’t it? it can receive twice as much semen. And mold, a single-celled organism that
In addition to conveying the true joy of sci- the female penis evolved as a structure to solves mazes
ence to the world through research, people actively receive semen from males. Y: Your paper was published in Nature,
also laugh when they see something truly N: That’s interesting; semen is required as wasn’t it? I happened to be flipping
unexpected. nutrition. through the magazine, and the moment I
saw a photo of slime mold solving a maze,
I immediately thought, “This is interest-
ing!” Even if you don’t understand the
logic, you can intuitively understand the
essence of the research.
N: Originally, I was studying the behav-
ior of single-celled organisms, and I was
always thinking about how to show their
performance in an easy-to-understand
way. For my research, I kept a true slime
mold called “mozihokori” or “the blob”
(Physarum polycephalum) and fed it oat-
meal. And I tried placing the food far away,
putting obstacles in the way, and creating
situations that would be difficult for the
slime mold.
The Ig Nobel Prize award ceremony is usually held at Harvard University Y: Did it avoid the obstacles to move
(Photo provided by Teruyoshi Furusawa, Associate Professor, Rikkyo University) forward?
18 • HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITYINTERVIEW
N: Yes. When it hit a dead end, it went Marc Abrahams
back. Then I thought it would be a good (center), the founder
of the Ig Nobel
experiment to do this in a maze. Prize, with Nakagaki
Y: Your second award was for your (left) and Yoshizawa
research on transportation networks (right) in front of the
Clark statue (Photo
using slime mold. courtesy of Like!
N: When I increased the number of feed- Hokudai)
ing sites to seven, I thought it would be
interesting to try this on a map. Based on
a map of the Tokyo metropolitan area, I
placed devices that slime mold dislikes in
places where it is difficult to set up a trans-
portation network. Then, it would find
an efficient route while avoiding those
places. We thought this could be applied
to the design of transportation infrastruc- The field where you can do what you Y: I think the fact that we can do research
ture in society. really want to do that could win an Ig Nobel Prize shows
Y: When you put it side by side with the Y: Don’t you think that you are often the diversity and breadth of the academic
actual traffic network, you can clearly see asked, “How can your research help the field at Hokkaido University. A very sim-
the similarity. I was very impressed with world?” ple discipline like insect taxonomy has
this brilliant demonstration. N: That’s true. When reporters write an survived for over 100 years.
article, I think it would be easier for read- N: That’s really true. I want to welcome
ers to understand if they conclude with people who have a passionate desire to
that point. study something to Hokkaido University.
Y: However, I would like to say out loud Y: Let’s hope that the future winners will
that basic research, like what we are follow in our footsteps. (laughs)
Slime molds solving a maze (Photo by Toshiyuki doing, research that seems “useless” at
Nakagaki) first glance, is actually important. Really
important.
Accumulation of knowledge and expe- N: It is the role of science to stimulate “The role of science
rience broadens one’s horizon intellectual curiosity, not just to provide
Y: As a researcher, what I find is that— concrete benefits to the world. is to stimulate
even if you are looking at the same Y: I thought that the point of the Ig Nobel
thing—the way you see it is completely Prize is how interesting the researcher intellectual curiosity,
different depending on the person. For
example, small differences in small
makes the research, and I thought my
research was too straightforward.
not just to provide
insects are immediately apparent to me. N: I think my research is also too straight- concrete benefits.”
N: Yes, yes! It’s interesting that the way forward, but I hear that all the Ig Nobel
you see things changes depending on winners say the same. (laughs)
your knowledge and experience. It’s like
training your observational eyes and
sensitivity.
Y: Nowadays, people are using genome
data to estimate the phylogenetic evo-
lution of insects, and it is generally
thought that this phylogeny is the most
accurate. However, from the perspective
of a researcher focusing on the shape of
living things, there is a part of me that
says, “That’s not true. I want to go against
the trend and keep focusing on the shape.”
N: It’s important to observe carefully
first. I want students to see a lot of real
things.
Y: In that sense, fieldwork is also neces-
sary. There are things you can’t see unless
you’re in the actual environment.
N: In that respect, Hokkaido University
is good. You can do fieldwork right on Professor Toshiyuki Nakagaki, Research
campus. (laughs) Institute for Electronic Science
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY • 19ENGINEERING
Causes of concrete
and asphalt
deterioration explained
Scientists reveal that the deterioration of modern
concrete and asphalt structures is due to the
presence of trace quantities of organic matter
in these structures.
Cement and asphalt are vital pavements drive the deteriora- A close-up of a bridge, showing deteriorated asphalt pavement and
concrete (Photo: Akihiro Moriyoshi).
to modern construction mate- tion of these structures. Their
rials; cement is used for the findings, which include novel and asphalt pavements are process or absorbed from the
construction of various build- methods to assess deteriora- exposed to, in the laboratory, environment, and cause rapid
ings and structures, while tion, were published in the over a period of 24 hours. When deterioration of concrete struc-
asphalt is primarily used journal PLOS ONE. combined with CT scans, this tures and asphalt pavements.
for highways and runways. The deterioration of mod- method can be used to eval- Of the organic matter pres-
They have been widely used ern concrete structures and uate the precise extent of the ent in cement, phthalates have
for these purposes since the asphalt pavements are a major damage. They tested a variety the highest effect on deterio-
1800s. It has been observed issue. The features that lead to of asphalt samples from Japan ration more than phosphates
that modern concrete struc- deterioration include cracks, dating back to 1960; a number and air entraining water reduc-
tures and asphalt structures disaggregation (breakdown of concrete samples from across ing agents. Organic matter in
tend to deteriorate much faster into fine white powder) and the world were also tested, and water accelerates deterioration
than historical structures, but delamination (separation into a 120-year-old concrete sample of asphalt pavements. The
the reason for this phenome- layers). These deteriorated was used as a reference. scientists also showed that
non was unknown. structures are unsafe for their The scientists showed that crack width and length is the
A team of scientists from intended purposes; rapid dete- there are a number of organic best determinant of concrete
six institutions, including rioration reduces the expected mole cule s, from diver s e damage, while the degree of
Akihiro Moriyoshi, Emeritus lifespan of structures, thereby sources, present in mod- formation of amorphization is
Professor Hokkaido University, increasing the costs for main- ern concrete structures and the best determinant of dete-
have revealed that the pres- tenance or replacement. asphalt pavements: phthalates, rioration. They believe that
ence of trace quantities of The scientists set out to diesel exhaust particulates, their findings can be used to
organic matter in modern con- develop a new method to surfactants, and windshield develop novel formulations for
crete structures and asphalt assess the rate of deteriora- washer fluids. These mole- long-lasting concrete structures
tion in concrete. The current cules are either introduced and asphalt pavements.
method is based on the width during the manufacturing
of surface cracks in con-
crete and a simple chemical
test; however, it only gives
an incomplete picture of the
level of damage. During their
experiments, the scientists
happened to notice that a
strange odor developed when
ORIGINAL ARTICLE commercial cement was mixed
Akihiro Moriyoshi, et al. with water. They hypothe-
Deterioration of modern sized that organic matter was
concrete structures and
asphalt pavements by responsible for the odor, and
respiratory action and trace investigated the effect it has on
quantities of organic matter. deterioration of concrete.
PLOS ONE. May 13, 2021.
The scientists developed
the one-dimensional transient
CONTACT
Emeritus Professor Hokkaido moisture permeation appa-
University Akihiro Moriyoshi ratus to accurately reproduce CT scans showing cracks in damaged concrete. A and B show cracks in
moriyosi@eng.hokudai.ac.jp the first layer while C and D show cracks in the second layer. GBS, GHY,
the field environmental condi- TMS, MS TSS and GR refer to different types of aggregates in the mortar
tions that concrete structures (Akihiro Moriyoshi, et al. PLOS ONE. May 13, 2021).
20 • HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITYBIOLOGY
Plant flowering
in low-nitrogen soils:
a mechanism revealed
Scientists from Japan, Europe and the USA
have described a pathway leading to the
accelerated flowering of plants in low-nitrogen
soils. These findings could eventually lead
to increases in agricultural production.
Nitrogen is one of the three plant in biology and has an
macronutrients required by extensive database of its pro-
plants for growth and develop- tein expression. In the current
ment, along with phosphorus study, the team first identi-
and potassium. Nitrogen-rich fied a set of proteins involved
condition induces plant growth, in flowering that became
particularly the growth of stems active as a result of changes
and leaves, while delaying flow- in nitrogen level. One of these FBH4 is necessary for accelerated flowering in Arabidopsis. Accelerated
flowering is only seen in the wild type(left), but not in FBH4 deficient
ering. On the other hand, in was the gene regulation fac-
plants (right) plants, under low-nitrogen conditions (Miho Sanagi, et al.
some plants, low-nitrogen con- tor FLOWERING BHLH 4 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States
ditions lead to a change from (FBH4). Through experiments of America. May 11, 2021).
growth mode to reproductive using FBH4 deficient plants,
mode, therefore accelerating this protein was found to be conditions, particularly those
flowering. However, the molec- responsible for accelerated related to nitrogen recycling
ular mechanisms that regulate flowering under low-nitrogen and remobilization.
flowering under these condi- conditions. The scientists concluded
tions are not known. F u r t h e r i nve s t i g a t i o n that, in response to inade-
A team of scientists led sug g e s te d that FBH4 is quate nitrogen, Arabidopsis
by Associate Professor Takeo extensively phosphorylated plants appear to precisely con-
Sato of Hokkaido University’s by another protein called trol gene expression related to Takeo Sato, with Arabidopsis plants in
Graduate School of Life Sci- SnRK1. Low-nitrogen condi- developmental and metabolic the culture room (Photo: Takeo Sato).
ence has revealed the molecular tions suppress SnRK1 activity, processes required for flower-
mechanism responsible for the which in turn results in the ing through FBH4. “The FBH ORIGINAL ARTICLE
acceleration of flowering in dephosphorylation of FBH4. family of genes is present in Miho Sanagi, et al. Low
nitrogen conditions accelerate
Arabidopsis under low nitro- The dephosphorylated FBH4 major crop plants,” says Takeo
flowering by modulating
gen conditions. Their findings moves to the nucleus to acti- Sato. “Crop plants exhibit early the phosphorylation state
were published in the journal vate genes responsible for flowering under low-nitrogen of FLOWERING BHLH 4 in
Arabidopsis. Proceedings of the
Proceedings of the National flowering. Dephosphorylated conditions; if we can control
National Academy of Sciences
Academy of Sciences of the FBH4 is also responsible for FBH activities in these crop of the United States of America.
United States of America (PNAS). controlling the expression plants, it might be an effective May 11, 2021.
Arabidopsis, a cruciferous of other genes vital for plant way to sustainably increase
plant, is well known as a model survival under low nitrogen agricultural production.” FUNDING
This work was supported by
the JSPS (17K08190,
Arabidopsis plants used in one 20K05949, 26292188,
of the experiments during the 18H02162), the NOASTEC
study (Photo: Takeo Sato). foundation, Hokkaido University,
the NIH (R01GM079712), the
NSF (IOS-1656076), the Rural
Development Administration
Republic of Korea (PJ013386),
and the Max Planck Society.
CONTACT
Associate Professor Takeo Sato
Graduate School of Life Science
Hokkaido University
t-satou@sci.hokudai.ac.jp
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY • 21The Silence of A ssistant Professor Mai Ishihara is
the first female full-time researcher
at Hokkaido University’s Center for
INDIGENOUS
Ainu and Indigenous Studies (CAIS)
and is the first female faculty member
who openly reveals her Ainu ancestry.
As a quarter-Ainu, Ishihara talked about
how she had been subdued by her
own ignorance, and later by silence,
PEOPLE
of her Ainu ancestry. She transformed
her struggle and her views on the pain
faced by her Ainu (indigenous people
of Hokkaido) ancestors into a book
based on her long-term research.
Ishihara reminisced about the
moment when she had just learned
about her Ainu ancestry. At the age
of 12, her mother revealed the story
of her bloodline and added that she
ought not to reveal the fact to other
people unless they have a certain
amount of knowledge in the history
of Hokkaido and Ainu people.
Henceforth, Ishihara led her life as
a “Silent Ainu.” Ishihara coined and
used this term to refer to people who
are aware of their Ainu heritage, but
do not know how to address this no
matter how much they want to talk
about it.
“I was taken aback by that revela-
tion. Up until that point, I had grown
up with zero contact with anything that
is related to Ainu. My mother chose
to bring up the subject out of the
fear that I would have grown up with
discriminatory perspectives towards
the Ainu people — including my own
ancestors,” said Ishihara.
Ishihara had only started to publicly
come out about her ancestry in her
20s. However, after telling people
around her, Ishihara realized that most
of them were unable to exhibit deeper
understanding about this fact. She
came to see that the struggle and the
pain caused by the marginalization
towards the indigenous people need
to be widely addressed.
“Japan is widely believed to be
monocultural. On the other hand, I can
see that the Japanese government is
trying to embrace multiculturalism.
Coexistence is beginning to be seen
as an essential element to handle the
demographic problem, such as the
low fertility rate and the decreasing
Assistant Professor population. We are just entering the
Mai Ishihara beginning phase of this discussion,”
explained Ishihara.
Compared to previous decades,
when revealing one’s Ainu ancestry
22 • HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITYwas still a taboo, there are now more
efforts to boost Ainu people’s visibility
and to preserve their cultural heri-
tage. Ishihara noted how daily lives
in Hokkaido regions are beginning
to be more imbued with Ainu culture.
She thought that the effect was rather
powerful, but it is not yet sufficient.
“In 2019, a legal act that recognizes
Ainu as Japan’s indigenous group
was passed. While such measures
certainly form a degree of safety for
Ainu people, however, the law does
not mention specific indigenous
rights. In places such as Scandinavia,
North America, Taiwan, Australia and
New Zealand, indigenous people have
indigenous rights. More international
comparative studies are needed to
find out why the debate on indigenous
rights does not seem to progress in
Japan. Studying the Ainu people as a
matter of transitional justice and multi- Up until the early Meiji period (late
19th century) Ainu Kotan (settlements)
culturalism will expand international
used to exist in the present-day Central
and interdisciplinary research around Currently, Ishihara is also a part Lawn of Hokkaido University. Salmon
this subject,” added Ishihara. of Global Station for Indigenous could be found swimming in the
Sakushukotoni River which ran through
Ishihara spent ten years on an Studies and Cultural Diversity (GSI)
this area. (Credits: Hiroshi Oda, Faculty
autoethnographic research that collaborative research group, a part of Humanities and Human Sciences)
she submitted as her PhD disserta- of Hokkaido University’s Global insti-
tion. This work was turned into a tution of Collaborative Research and
book, newly re-released by Hokkaido Education (GI-CoRE).
University Press in 2021, entitled “In particular, I have a great interest
“Autoethnography of ‘Silence’: The in conducting research on women of
Story of the Pain of Silent Ainu and indigenous groups because women of
Their Care”. In this book, Ishihara different cultural backgrounds share
listed and described the details on the same feelings and concerns, which
the different stages of being a Silent makes it easier for indigenous female
Ainu. Another highlighted issue is researchers to connect and establish
the importance of discussions on networks. We hope our activities will
mixed-race people. This book is the be able to provide useful resources for
first publication in Japan containing diverse networking, which is important
“autoethnography” in the title. in the post-COVID-19 era.”
“Autoethnography is indeed quite
novel and challenging in many ways,
but I was driven to perform a study
on myself, on my historicity as a
Silent Ainu, to provide descriptions “Women of
on Ainu studies that have long been BOOK INFORMATION
insufficient in reaching people like different cultural Source: Hokkaido University Press
Title:『〈沈黙〉の自伝的民族誌―サイレント・アイ
myself,” disclosed Ishihara, who has
just finished editing yet another book
backgrounds share ヌの痛みと救済の物語』(“Autoethnography
of ‘Silence’: The Story of the Pain of
depicting Ainu people that soon will the same feelings Silent Ainu and Their Care”.)
Author: Mai Ishihara
be published by the same publisher. Publisher: Hokkaido University Press
Ishihara received the 38th Masayoshi and concerns, which Language: Japanese
Ohira Memorial Prize for this book, Publication date: February 28, 2020
one of 5 recipients this year. The prize makes it easier ... (First print)
ISBN: 978-4-8329-1410-0
is given annually to individual authors,
collaborations or compilations, whose
to connect and CONTACT
works contribute to the development establish networks.” Assistant Professor Mai Ishihara
Center for Ainu and Indigenous Studies
of “the Pacific Basin Community (CAIS)
Concept” and regional studies of the m-ishihara@let.hokudai.ac.jp
Pacific Basin region.
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY • 23What is the key to this important
achievement in Chemistry?
Of course, the component of luck is always
“I’m waiting for the involved, but also, sort of serendipity.
day that we sit From my PhD supervisor, Johann Mulzer,
I knew about the old proline work in the
down and design 70s, that was somehow forgotten. And
chemical reactions then, at Scripps Institute, when I looked at
the crystal structure of the enzymes I was
from scratch.” working with, I saw there’s an amino group
and there’s an acid, and then — I know it’s
really naïve, but — amino acid came to
mind. Everything fell into place.
But I felt a little bit silly and maybe
naïve, because everybody knew that this
is a stupid idea. Because at the time, the
thinking was that small molecules could
BENJAMIN LIST
not be catalysts. So, I did this experiment
and I kept it a secret. I think we should
cherish this feeling of insecurity; it’s really
special. We should not feel too confident
AWARDED
about our work.
What made you want to participate in
ICReDD?
First of all, it’s the general inspiration
NOBEL PRIZE IN
of the Japanese-style chemistry, like
this radical innovativeness about it, this
courage to try new things. Of course, Mae-
da-sensei’s approach to computational
CHEMISTRY 2021
chemistry, to theoretical chemistry, is
unique. I think we are at the phase where
the potential of computational chemistry
can be realized, for the first time in the his-
tory of chemistry. I’m very curious and I
want to be part of this.
On October 6th, 2021, the Royal Swedish How do you feel about receiving the Has your impression of research in
Academy of Sciences awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize? Japan changed after joining ICReDD?
Nobel Prize in Chemistry jointly to Ben- It’s like a dream come true. It’s almost I love this interdisciplinarity and
jamin List of the Max-Planck-Institut für unreal in a way. I was in Amsterdam with your enthusiasm about opening up to
Kohlenforschung and David W. C. Mac- my wife [on the day of the announcement]. other countries, other people, other
Millan of Princeton University “for the In the back of my mind, I knew that today
development of asymmetric organoca- the prize would be given. But I did not
talysis.” He was conferred the Nobel Prize expect this at all. Certainly not at my “rel-
in Chemistry 2021 in a ceremony held in atively” young age.
Berlin, Germany, on December 7, 2021 Sometime around 11.00, the phone
Dr. List has been working on the rang in my pocket. On the phone, it said
development of new chemical reactions a phone number I didn’t know but under-
using organocatalysts as a Principal neath it said “Sweden”. I went outside and
Investigator at the Institute for Chemical it was the call, it’s the call and that was
Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI- such an incredible moment and it was just
ICReDD) at Hokkaido University since incredible.
2018, and he has also been a Specially
Appointed Professor since May 2020.
Benjamin List receiving his
What follows is a condensed, edited Nobel Prize medal and diploma
transcript of the video conference with in Berlin, Germany at Harnack
Nobel Laureate Dr. Benjamin List, held at House, Max Planck Society for
the Advancement of Science.
ICReDD, Hokkaido University on October © Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo:
7, 2021. Bernhard Ludewig.
24 • HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITYYou can also read
