April 4, 2018
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Researchers who are more used to studying particle physics and space science will collaborate with medical researchers in a new project starting in April to use their expertise in hard x-ray and gamma ray imaging to analyze cancer stem cells with unprecedented quality.
The University of Tokyo’s Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU) has been leading collaborations among researchers in fundamental physics, mathematics, and astronomy to reveal how the Universe began. Last October, the institute and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) agreed to start a new collaboration to apply their work in artificial satellites, particularly in developing hard x-ray and gamma ray detectors.
These types of radiation are valuable to researchers studying particles, the basic ingredients of everything in the Universe, but they are also useful in everyday life because they allow humans to see inside objects or people. Researchers at the Kavli IPMU and ISAS/JAXA will work together with the Keio University School of Medicine to transfer their technology to nuclear medicine. Particularly, to see the location of cancer stem cells, and hopefully push forward research in cancer treatment.
“I’ve been arguing that the truly destructive innovation happens through basic research that pushes the frontier of knowledge. Now we have an opportunity to demonstrate this point through the application of gamma-ray astronomy to cancer research. I’m super excited about this wonderful opportunity for Kavli IPMU to work closely with JAXA and medical researchers,” said Kavli IPMU Director Hitoshi Murayama.
The collaboration will be based at Kavli IPMU in Kashiwa Campus, the University of Tokyo.
Research contact
Hiroaki Aihara
Principal Investigator
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, the University of Tokyo
TEL: +81-(0)3-5841-4125
E-mail: aihara_at_phys.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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Media contact
Motoko Kakubayashi
Press officer
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, the University of Tokyo
TEL: +81-(0)4-7136-5980
E-mail: press_at_ipmu.jp
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