Food and Nutrition for Health Promotion Department
The Food and Nutrition for Health Promotion Department was founded and initiated by the Watanabe Oyster Laboratory Co., Ltd, on January 1, 2010. We have continued to conduct research physiologically active substances on the Pacific Oyster extracts to be useful in prevention and treatment of oxidation-related diseases.
Below are the chairs that have been terminated or transferred.
Biological Response and Regulation Department
The Biological Response and Regulation Department was offered on Sept. 2016. The laboratory is aimed primarily to study various biological stresses of cells/tissues/organs/bodies and their responses against the stresses, and also to regulate the biological stresses actively.
We would like to picture/propose an epochal life style to live strong and supple lives in a modern society, and to create a new concept of health sciences for a future life. We have already started to develop new bio-imaging technologies in Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Bio-Imaging (LMFBI) in Health Innovation Center. In this endowed department, we will systemically push a study ahead from a clinical point of view. (Transferred in Dec. 2023)
Data Health Innovation Department
We conduct research using receipt and health checkup data using advanced analytical methods such as AI and related surveys with the aim of supporting healthcare projects by local governments; 1) developing algorithms to predict the future incidence of lifestyle-related diseases and related medical costs, 2) developing programs to recommend that residents receive specific health checkups tailored to their individual attributes, and 3) developing tools to incorporate and visualize various types of data. By promoting these studies, we aim to support local governments and healthcare professionals in efficiently and effectively planning and implementing, and to contribute to the maintenance and improvement of communities’ health. (Terminated in Dec. 2023)
Emergent Neurocognition Department
The rapid increase in the prevalence of dementia constitutes a significant challenge to Japan, which is classified as a super-aging society. The number of Japanese patients with dementia is estimated to increase to approximately 7 million in 2025. Additionally, a nearly equal number of patients are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, a condition or stage between the expected cognitive decline associated with normal aging and the more serious decline associated with dementia).
Healthy elderly individuals, those with MCI, and those with dementia have the potential to experience a better quality of life. We plan to work together with you to develop novel approaches to enhance well-being.
This department was founded by Dr. Kiyohiro Houkin (the current President of Hokkaido University), following intensive efforts since 2018. Currently, our work involves several areas of research, including the development of evaluation methods for cognitive function, development of tools for early detection of dementia/MCI, investigation of strategies to maintain and improve cognitive function and for visualization of cognitive function using functional brain imaging. (Terminated in Jun. 2023)