It has been said that the progress in science and engineering has contributed to 50% of the progress in medicine. The research and development of Medical Engineering is mainly related to medical devices such as testing equipment, artificial organs, life support systems, and medical robots using electromagnetism and mechanics in medicine. On the other hand, the research and development in Biomedical Science and Engineering is mainly related to medical equipment and technologies for medical imaging devices, nuclear medicine drugs and devices, and radiotherapy equipment, using quantum physics and the theory of relativity in medicine. At Hokkaido University, the Global Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science was established in 2020 growing out of POLARIS, a collaborative research group with members from the School of Medicine and the departments of science and engineering started in 2004 (for details see “Background to the establishment of the Global Center for Biomedical Science and Engineering”).

The Center is constituted of the Molecular Biomedical Science and Engineering Section and the Quantum Biomedical Science and Engineering Section. In the Molecular Biomedical Science and Engineering Section, we conduct research on molecular imaging using light, positrons, and magnetic resonance, including research exploring the very basics of diseases at the level of molecules, genes, organelles, cells, tissue, and individual organisms, as well as research that contributes to diagnostic imaging and treatment by visualizing the location of diseases in the human body. In the Quantum Biomedical Science and Engineering Section, we conduct research on the treatment of diseases and the development of high-precision radiation therapy devices, using accelerators (synchrotrons) and X-ray generators to irradiate cells, animals, and the human body with protons and photons. Based on these, we are engaging in new research to apply mathematical models and machine learning based on the development of informatics in medicine, or conversely, reverse translational research applying technologies developed in medicine to basic science applications.

In pursuing such research studies involving international collaborators is very stimulating. The Global Station for Quantum Medicine and Science (GSQ) of the Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE) has been collaborating with world-class research groups of Stanford University and other universities since 2014, and has conducted numerous joint research projects. Further, to carry on with the work we hold a summer school and a summer institute annually in collaboration with these universities to train researchers who will lead the work in the next generation. In the summer school and institute, we provide education in medical physics and radiation biology in English, and many young researchers and graduate students from all over the world have applied and participated in the opportunities this offers. The Global Center will inherit the philosophy and achievements of the GSQ of GI-CoRE and continue to conduct research and development to develop well rounded specialists with international perspectives.

Collaboration among researchers in the Faculty of Medicine, and collaboration research with other departments, universities, and companies will become increasingly important to sustain these activities in the future. Thank you for your continued cooperation.