On 22 May, the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) opened its third research building, marking the occasion with a ceremony and a symposium. The new building, called CiRA Research Building No 3, houses a cell processing center, open laboratories, culture chambers, and a host of other advanced facilities and equipment.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with six participants: Osamu Yamashita, director of facilities planning and administration at Japan's science ministry MEXT; Kyoto Prefecture Vice-Governor Akimasa Yamashita; Kyoto City Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa; Kyoto University President Juichi Yamagiwa; Dr Nagahiro Minato, KU vice-president for research, planning, and hospital administration; and CiRA Director Shinya Yamanaka, who then went on to deliver a welcome address. This was followed by a building tour.
The commemorative symposium took place at the Clock Tower Centennial Hall, exploring "What's Next for Regenerative Medicine: Utilizing Stockpiled iPS Cells". Following Director Yamanaka's greetings, lectures were delivered by CiRA's Deputy Director Naoko Takasu and Professor Jun Takahashi, and Osaka University Professor Kohji Nishida. Q&As with the three speakers and Director Yamanaka elicited numerous questions from the enthusiastic audience, concluding on a high note.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony
CiRA Building No 3
From left: President Yamagiwa, MEXT department director Yamashita, Vice-Governor Yamashita, Mayor Kadokawa, and CiRA Director Yamanaka
Inside the building
Building tour
Related link
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University
http://www.cira.kyoto-u.ac.jp/e/
