UZH has longstanding relationships with universities in Japan. It was therefore an honor to welcome Prof. Teruo Fuji, President of the University of Tokyo, and members of his staff to UZH at the end of January to explore opportunities for a deeper collaboration with the University of Tokyo.

Focus on space, plant science and medicine

UZH President Michael Schaepman and Oliver Ullrich, Director of the Space Hub, discussed with President Teruo Fuji how the universities could deepen their already existing relationships, specifically in the areas of space, plant science and medicine where the universities show strong joint research interests.

Joint international research

One of the research projects where the University of Tokyo and UZH already collaborate closely is focused on a new gene that reduces pollen number of plants. It is led by evolutionary biologist Prof. Kentaro Shimizu at UZH and Takashi Tsuchimatsu, a former UZH member and now a professor at the University of Tokyo.

Furthermore, a new 7-year "International Leading Research" started under the leads of the University of Tokyo and UZH in 2022. The large international project received funding by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Amongst others also the Kyoto University, Université Paris-Saclay in France,  Israel Institute of Technology and University of Lausanne are involved. The project will focus on key molecular network of plant reproduction by integrating basic biology and breeding.