On April 16, 2026, Kyoto University hosted the inaugural Kyoto University Lectureship Award (Life Sciences or Medicine) Award Ceremony and Commemorative Lecture at the Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall. This award is an international academic prize established in 2025 with the support of corporate sponsors. This prize aims to honor outstanding researchers pioneering the future of their academic fields and to share their visionary insights with a global audience.
This year’s recipient, Dr. Clifford P. Brangwynne of Princeton University, was welcomed to Kyoto for the historic inaugural award ceremony, which was attended by a large audience of researchers and students.
Pre-Event: Interactive Session with Early-Career Researchers
On the day before the ceremony, an interactive event was held for early-career researchers and students at Kyoto University. During the session, Dr. Brangwynne shared insights into his research career and sources of inspiration. He also delivered a lecture on themes such as “How to Find Meaningful Research Topics” and “Navigating Career Paths as a Researcher,” drawing deeply from his own personal experiences. The event sparked numerous questions and spirited discussions, providing a truly inspiring opportunity for the next generation of scientists.
Award Ceremony
The ceremony opened with a chamber music performance by the Kyoto University Symphony Orchestra. The event was attended by the university’s executive leadership—including the President, Executive Director, Executive Vice-President, and Vice-Presidents—alongside members of the Selection Committee. In his opening address, Dr. Nagahiro Minato, President of Kyoto University, highlighted the vision and significance behind the establishment of this award. Following his remarks, Professor Mitinori Saitou, Chair of the Selection Committee, introduced the awardee and his groundbreaking achievements.
Subsequently, President Minato presented the Kyoto University Lectureship Award (Life Sciences or Medicine, 2025) to Dr. Brangwynne, in the presence of Dr. Susumu Kitagawa, Executive Vice-President for Research Promotion.
Commemorative Lecture: New Frontiers in Life Sciences Pioneered by Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation (LLPS)
Following the ceremony, Dr. Brangwynne delivered a commemorative lecture titled “Liquid–liquid phase separation in cell physiology and disease,” moderated by Professor Saitou. In his presentation, Dr. Brangwynne introduced liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) as a fundamental principle of molecular self-organization within cells, proposing a transformative view of cells as dynamic and fluid systems. He further illustrated how this phenomenon plays a critical role in gene expression regulation and the understanding of various diseases, underscoring its profound significance in the future of life sciences.
Presentation Session by Early-Career Researchers
The subsequent session, chaired by Professor Yasunori Hayashi, Vice Chair of the Selection Committee, featured four early-career researchers from Kyoto University who presented their cutting-edge research findings:
- Dr. Shunsuke Shimobayashi, Associate Professor, iPS Cell Research Institute- Supramolecular protein block copolymers encode presynaptic active zone nanolattices
- Dr. Tomohisa Hosokawa, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Medicine- Inducible Condensates Provide a Tunable Platform for Spatiotemporal Protein Integration
- Dr. Ayako Furukawa, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Agriculture- Understanding the Dynamic Structural Unit of Heterochromatin Protein 1α (HP1α) in Phase Separation
- Dr. Takashi Yamano, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Life Sciences- The Pyrenoid: A Phase-Separated CO2-Concentrating Organelle and Regulatory Hub
The presentations showcased the breadth of LLPS research across Kyoto University, spanning diverse disciplines from molecular biology and neuroscience to plant science.
In the closing remarks, Professor Tetsuo Sawaragi, Executive Vice-President for International Affairs at Kyoto University, expressed his vision for the award to serve as a vital hub for international researcher exchange and a catalyst for nurturing the next generation of scientists.
Following the program, a reception was held, bringing together the award recipient, university researchers, and distinguished guests. The Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe delivered a toast, highlighting expectations for further academic collaboration between Japan and the United States. The relaxed atmosphere allowed participants to deepen their connections, paving the way for future collaborative research and networking.
This award is designed not only to honor academic excellence but also to inspire new scholarly challenges by providing direct access to visionary insights. Through this initiative, Kyoto University remains committed to fostering cross-disciplinary and international academic exchange, contributing to the development of the leaders who will shape the future of science.
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