Message from the Director

The University of Tsukuba founded the Research and Development Center for Precision Medicine on January 1st 2017 with the aim to establish the first omics analysis center in Japan integrating whole genome sequencing, metabolome analysis, and proteome analysis.

Given the current super-aging society in Japan, the establishment of preventive medicine is strongly desired to improve our healthy life expectancy and quality of life (QOL). Increasing incidences of age-related diseases such as cancer and dementia have resulted in escalating insurance and healthcare expenditures imposed on nations and its citizens, which has become a critical social issue not only in Japan but also worldwide. Consequently, it has also lead to an increase in cancer patients who are not able to receive the most advanced medical treatment available.

At the same time, we have seen remarkable technological advances in the life sciences field that have led to the development of high-performance devices and analytical instruments for early diagnosis of various diseases. The strategic and timely implementation of these technologies into society remains to be the utmost importance today.

The R&D Center for Precision Medicine works with the University of Tsukuba Hospital and the other leading research institutions in Japan and overseas in order to build a dynamic research infrastructure for the advancement of disease diagnosis based on scientific evidence and the realization of precision medicine for individuals.