Four BDR scientists awarded MEXT prizes

On April 8, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) announced the recipients of this year’s Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of MEXT, which included four scientists from the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR).

Two BDR scientists received the Award for Science and Technology under the Research Category, which is given to those who have conducted original research and development that is highly likely to contribute to the advancement of science and technology in Japan. Yuji Sugita, team leader of the Laboratory for Biomolecular Function Simulation, was recognized for his work in his concurrent position as Chief Scientist of the Theoretical Molecular Science Laboratory at RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR) for theoretical studies of the dynamic structures of biomolecules in intracellular environments. Yuichi Taniguchi, team leader of the Laboratory for Cell Systems Control and professor at Institute for Integrated Cell Material Sciences, Kyoto University, was recognized for research related to the molecular level working mechanisms of the genome.

The other two BDR scientists were awarded The Young Scientists’ Award, which recognizes young researchers under 40 years of age who have made groundbreaking and creative scientific research and achievements. Takayuki Kawai, visiting scientist in the Laboratory for Cell-Free Protein Synthesis and associate professor at the Graduate School of Science, Kyushu University, received the award for his work developing an ultrasensitive bioanalytical approach using an innovative electrophoretic technology. Tomoya Kujirai, visiting scientist in the Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology and assistant professor at the Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The Tokyo University, was recognized for investigating the regulation of chromatin-mediated biological reactions from a structural biology approach.

The four scientists, along with the other MEXT Prize awardees, received their prizes in a virtual and on-site hybrid-style award ceremony held on April 20.