Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo
The UTOPIA Center
The University of TOkyo Pandemic preparedness, Infection and Advanced research center
Breaking through the barriers of their respective fields, the world's top researchers have united to fight infectious diseases and develop life-saving vaccines.
Save the World!
It has been three years since a novel coronavirus emerged and caused an unprecedented pandemic that brought about immeasurable damage. While Western countries swiftly developed and introduced vaccines within the remarkable timeframe of one year from pathogen identification, it took more than three and half years for a Japanese-made vaccine to receive an authorization for use.
In response to this situation, the "Japan Initiative for World-leading Vaccine Research and Development Centers" was launched under the guidance of AMED/SCARDA*, and at its forefront, the University of TOkyo Pandemic preparedness, Infection, and Advanced research center (UTOPIA) has been chosen as the flagship institution.
UTOPIA serves as a dynamic hub where top researchers from various fields at the University of Tokyo come together. Not only are we focused on vaccine development, but we are also committed to conducting interdisciplinary research with the goal of conquering infectious diseases. While UTOPIA is rooted in the University of Tokyo, our collaborations extend beyond national borders, actively engaging international partners.
During this pandemic, it became evident that Japan has fallen behind in both vaccine development and infectious disease research. A major contributing factor to this gap is the shortage of talent. At UTOPIA, by systematically identifying and nurturing young researchers at the University of Tokyo, we aim to become a world-class research organization that leads cutting-edge research on infectious diseases and vaccines. Our shared mission is to save the world from infectious diseases! We kindly ask for your support and cooperation.
Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Director
The University of TOkyo Pandemic preparedness, Infection, and Advanced research center (UTOPIA)
*AMED: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
SCARDA: Strategic Center of Biomedical Advanced Vaccine Research and Development for Preparedness and Response
News
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】Vol. 10
Changing Healthcare with Sociology
Changing Healthcare with Sociology
Professor Kaori Muto, Public Policy, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
November 2023
News
Professors Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Osamu Nureki, and Takao Someya have been recognized as Highly Cited Researchers in the field of "Cross-Field" by Clarivate for 2023.
Information on Highly Cited Researchers
(To Clarivate HP)
November 2023
News
© The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institu
Professors Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman have been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their significant contributions to the development of mRNA vaccines.
Article
Characterization of highly pathogenic clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 mink influenza viruses
Maemura T, Guan L, Gu C, Eisfeld A, Biswas A, Halfmann P, Neumann G, Kawaoka Y
October 2023
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】Vol. 11
Artificial Intelligence × Virus Variants: Predicting the Future with AI
Yutaka Matsuo, Professor
Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo
Artificial Intelligence × Virus Variants: Predicting the Future with AI
Yutaka Matsuo, Professor
Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo
October 2023
Symposium:
Innovation in vaccine development: Perspectives from global research leaders
Innovation in vaccine development: Perspectives from global research leaders
at the 70th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Virology.
September 2023
Article
Determination of the factors responsible for the tropism of SARS-CoV-2-related bat coronaviruses to Rhinolophus bat ACE2
Fujita S, Kosugi Y, Kimura I, Tokunaga K; Genotype to Phenotype Japan (G2P-Japan) Consortium; Ito J, Sato K
September 2023
Article
Transmissibility, infectivity, and immune evasion of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant
Uriu K, Ito J, Kosugi Y, Tanaka YL, Mugita Y, Guo Z, Hinay AA Jr, Putri O, Kim Y, Shimizu R, Begum MM, Jonathan M; Genotype to Phenotype Japan (G2P-Japan) Consortium; Saito A, Ikeda T, Sato K
September 2023
Article
Antiviral efficacy of the SARS-CoV-2 XBB breakthrough infection sera against Omicron subvariants including EG.5
Kaku Y, Kosugi Y, Uriu K, Ito J, Hinay AA Jr, Kuramochi J, Sadamasu K, Yoshimura K, Asakura H, Nagashima M; Genotype to Phenotype Japan (G2P-Japan) Consortium; Sato K
September 2023
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】Vol. 9
Rock & Science -Specialist in Signal Transduction and Guitarist in 'Ojisan(?)' Band
Jun-ichiro Inoue, Project Professor
Managing Director, The University of TOkyo Pandemic preparedness, Infection and Advanced research center (UTOPIA)
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
Rock & Science -Specialist in Signal Transduction and Guitarist in 'Ojisan(?)' Band
Jun-ichiro Inoue, Project Professor
Managing Director, The University of TOkyo Pandemic preparedness, Infection and Advanced research center (UTOPIA)
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
September 2023
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】Vol. 8
Designing Proteins for Human Welfare
Kouhei Tsumoto, Professor
Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
Designing Proteins for Human Welfare
Kouhei Tsumoto, Professor
Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
August 2023
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】Vol. 7
Bones, Immunity, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and COVID-19
Hiroshi Takayanagi , Professor
Dept of Immunology, Grad School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
Bones, Immunity, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and COVID-19
Hiroshi Takayanagi , Professor
Dept of Immunology, Grad School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
August 2023
Article
Influenza H3 hemagglutinin vaccine with scrambled immunodominant epitopes elicits antibodies directed toward immunosubdominant head epitopes
Chiba S, Kong H, Neumann G, Kawaoka Y
July 2023
Article
In vitro and in vivo characterization of SARS-CoV-2 resistance to ensitrelvir
Kiso M, Yamayoshi S, Iida S, Furusawa Y, Hirata Y, Uraki R, Imai M, Suzuki T, Kawaoka Y
July 2023
Video
UTOPIA Research Grant for Young Researchers FY2023
List of selected projects and overview of applications/adoptions have been posted
July 2023
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】Vol. 6
Protect People from Pandemics!
Kei Sato, Professor
Systems Virology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
Protect People from Pandemics!
Kei Sato, Professor
Systems Virology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
July 2023
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】Vol. 5
Deciphering Life's 3D Secrets: Unveiling Molecular Structures for Life-Saving Breakthroughs
Osamu Nureki, Professor
Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
Deciphering Life's 3D Secrets: Unveiling Molecular Structures for Life-Saving Breakthroughs
Osamu Nureki, Professor
Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
July 2023
Article
Antiviral effect and safety of nafamostat mesilate in patients with mild early-onset COVID-19: An exploratory multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial
Okugawa S, Ikeda M, Kashiwabara K, Moritoyo T, Kohsaka T, Shimizu T, Hagiya H, Hasegawa K, Otsuka F, Miwa A, Kisimoto N, Mizoguchi A, Imamura A, Ikeuchi K, Tsutsumi T, Jubishi D, Hashimoto H, Okamoto K, Harada S, Inoue JI, Seto Y, Moriya K
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
July 2023
Article
High body temperature increases gut microbiota-dependent host resistance to influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection
Nagai M, Moriyama M, Ishii C, Mori H, Watanabe H, Nakahara T, Yamada T, Ishikawa D, Ishikawa T, Hirayama A, Kimura I, Nagahara A, Naito T, Fukuda S, Ichinohe T
July 2023
Article
In vitro and in vivo characterization of SARS-CoV-2 strains resistant to nirmatrelvir.
Kiso M, Furusawa Y, Uraki R, Imai M, Yamayoshi S, Kawaoka Y.
July 2023
Event
First UTOPIA Symposium
10 - 11 June 2023, Nagano (+Web)
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】Vol. 4
Embracing the Joy and Sorrow of Patients
Sakae Tanaka, Professor
Director of the University of Tokyo Hospital
Embracing the Joy and Sorrow of Patients
Sakae Tanaka, Professor
Director of the University of Tokyo Hospital
(In Japanese)
Subscribe to our channel on YouTube
June 2023
Article
Transmission and re-infection of Omicron variant XBB.1.5 in hamsters
Halfmann PJ, Uraki R, Kuroda M, Iwatsuki-Horimoto K, Yamayoshi S, Ito M, Kawaoka Y
June 2023
Event
Science for delivering vaccine in 100 days
September 3 - 6, 2023
Chair: Ken J. Ishii
Abstract Submission: May 17 - June 28
Pre-Registration: May 17 - August 25
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】Vol. 3
"Mutual benefits" and "Altruism" are the key to overcoming challenges
Masahiko Kikuchi, Project Professor
The UTOPIA Center, The University of Tokyo
Masahiko Kikuchi, Project Professor
The UTOPIA Center, The University of Tokyo
(In Japanese)
Subscribe to our channel on YouTube
June 2023
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】 Vol. 2
I believe there is a ray of hope beyond countless failures.
Yasushi Kawaguchi, Professor
Division of Molecular Virology, the Institute of Medical Sciences, The University Tokyo
(In Japanese)
Subscribe to our channel on YouTube
June 2023
Video
【UTOPIA 43 Interviews】 Vol. 1
Discovering true freedome through research
Ken Ishii, Professor
Division of Vaccine Science, the Institute of Medical Sciences, The University Tokyo
(In Japanese)
Subscribe to our channel on YouTube
June 2023
Video
Professor Kawaoka, director, introduces UTOPIA on YouTube
In Japanese with English subtitle
Subscribe to our channel on YouTube.
May 2023
Article
Efficacy of antivirals and mRNA vaccination against an XBF clinical isolate
Uraki R, Ito M, Kiso M, Yamayoshi S, Iwatsuki-Horimoto K, Sakai-Tagawa Y, Imai M, Koga M, Yamamoto S, Adachi E, Saito M, Tsutsumi T, Otani A, Kashima Y, Kikuchi T, Theiler J, Yotsuyanagi H, Suzuki Y, Korber B, Kawaoka Y
The Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific
May 2023
Article
Replicative capacity of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants BA.5 and BQ.1.1 at elevated temperatures
Muramoto Y, Takahashi S, Halfmann PJ,Gotoh S, Noda T, Kawaoka Y
April 2023
Article
In SARS-CoV-2 delta variants, Spike-P681R and D950N promote membrane fusion, Spike-P681R enhances spike cleavage, but neither substitution affects pathogenicity in hamsters
Furusawa Y, Kiso M, Iida S, Uraki R, Hirata Y, Imai M, Suzuki T, Yamayoshi S, Kawaoka Y
April 2023
Article
Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 clinical isolates
Uraki R, Iida S, Halfmann PJ, Yamayoshi S, Hirata Y, Iwatsuki-Horimoto K, Kiso M, Ito M, Furusawa Y, Ueki H, Sakai-Tagawa Y, Kuroda M, Maemura T, Kim T, Mine S, Iwamoto N, Li R, Liu Y, Larson D, Fukushi S, Watanabe S, Maeda K, Wang Z, Ohmagari N, Theiler J, Fischer W, Korber B, Imai M, Suzuki T, Kawaoka Y
March 2023
News
(In Japanese only)
Articles on the UTOPIA center by Professor Kawaoka on Gakunai-kouhou on the UTokyo web site.
25 January 2023