University Times

Hokkaido University’s E-Newsletter

Contents

Hokkaido University Ranks within Top 100 Universities Worldwide ...... 2

Appointment of Ms. Outi Snellman as Hokkaido University Ambassador ...... 3 Hokkaido University hosts delegation of Russian university rectors and students for the General Assembly Meeting and Student Forum ...... 4–5 Spotlight on Research: Boxing, Evictions and Povery in the Philippines ...... 6–7 Key molecule for flu infection identified ...... 8 Citizen science — A powerful tool to combat invasive giant slugs ...... 9 Hokkaido University Festival 10

Cover photo: Lupine flowers on campus

June 2018 | Issue 6 1 Hokkaido University Times June 2018 | Issue 6

Ambassador and Partner Activities

126 Partners have been appointed Organization at the University of the Appointment from 34 countries. Arctic and Director of the University of Lapland. The University of Lapland of Ms. Outi On Wednesday, June 6, the Hokkaido has a long history of exchanges with University Ambassador Appointment Hokkaido University, having signed an Snellman as Ceremony was held for Finnish Inter-University Exchange Agreement Hokkaido University Ambassador Ms. on June 2011. Hokkaido Outi Snellman. The appointment of Ms. Snellman Ms. Outi Snellman has been of as Hokkaido University Ambassador University great assistance in promoting will help further the development of collaborations between Hokkaido international research collaborations Ambassador University and the University of with the University of the Arctic Lapland. She was primary responsible and University of Lapland, expand for the opening of a joint symposium the Learning Satellite Program and The university has been appointing between Hokkaido University and Hokkaido Summer Institute, and Hokkaido University Ambassadors Finnish Universities, the University of promote educational and research and Partners to those who support Hokkaido University Ranks within Top 100 Lapland and University of Oulu, and exchanges between the more than and strengthen the university’s global established the program accepting 200 universities associated with the network, community and international Universities Worldwide students for Hokkaido University’s University of the Arctic. public relations activities since April First Step Program, amongst 2016. To date, 31 Ambassadors and Results from the Nature Index, a data on the total number of articles Index page for more information: other activities as Vice-President database that tracks contributions published by each institution https://www.natureindex.com/ to articles published in a group of during the recorded year; for the institution-outputs//hokkaido- highly selective science journals, year March 2017–February 2018, university/5139072d34d6b65e rank Hokkaido University as the the Nature Index totaled 223 6a002178 Top 100 academic institution in the articles published exclusively by world, and the Top 8 in Japan this or in collaboration with Hokkaido year. The Top Global and Top Japan University researchers in the spot were awarded to Harvard eligible journals. The database is University (Massachusetts, USA) compiled by Nature Publishing and the University of (Tokyo, Group (NPG) and the journals are Japan), respectively. selected for consideration by two panels of scientists representing Rankings were calculated based on the physical and life sciences, a weighted “fractional count”, or and include globally recognized “WFC” score, which assigns tallies publications such as Science, to each institution based on the Nature, and various nationally number of contributing researchers sponsored research journals. from an institution to the published Ms. Outi Snellman and Prof. Masanori Kasahara, Executive Commemorative photo paper. The database also collects Visit the Hokkaido University Nature Director and Vice President of Hokkaido University 3 2 3 Hokkaido University Times June 2018 | Issue 6

Hokkaido University hosts delivered lectures to the attendees following the General Assembly delegation of Russian Meeting theme of the “Promotion of Human Resource Development university rectors and for Japanese–Russian Economic Cooperation and Personal students for the General Exchange.” The following day, Prof. Victor Assembly Meeting and Sadovnichy, Rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University, gave a Student Forum keynote speech about the history of the Japanese–Russian Forum of and the Japan–Russia Student before members of the Assembly. Hayashi and Russian Consul Roman st Rectors and the Russian Rector’s The 1 General Assembly Meeting of the meeting. Following President Forum discussions. The results Kolesnik. The students proposed the Union. Prof. Kiyoshi Yamada, of the Association of Institutions Nawa’s opening statements, of these discussions included the Coinciding with the General establishment of the Student Union, President of Tokai University, also of Higher Education of the Russian assembly members heard brief establishment of the Committee for Assembly, the Japan–Russia Student which was agreed upon and praised gave a keynote speech about th th Federation and Japan took place speeches from guests of honor Personnel Exchanges between Japan Forum was held on May 18 and 19 by both the Minister and Consul. th strengthening inter-academic over the weekend of May 19 and Mr. Yoshimasa Hayashi, Minister and Russia, the Japan–Russia Student in the Conference Hall of Hokkaido th exchanges with Russian universities. 20 . The events were held as a part of of Education, Culture, Sports, Union, and the Steering Committee University. The purpose of the forum Finally, Rector Sadovnichy was the Human Resource Development Science and Technology (MEXT), for Specialized Sections. In addition, was to build mutual understanding awarded an honorary degree from After the speeches, three parallel th Platform for Japan – Russia Mr. Manabu Horii, Parliamentary both sides agreed to promote and friendly relations through student Hokkaido University on May 19 sessions under the Economic Cooperation transdisciplinary exchanges among exchanges. 34 students in total from to honor his achievements for subtopics “Personnel and Personnel Exchange young researchers, interdisciplinary Japan and Russia participated in the contributions to personnel and Exchanges,” “Health and (HaRP) at both the research, and industry–academia forum and earnestly discussed the academic exchanges between Medicine,” and “Regional Conference Hall of collaborations. Finally, Moscow State proposed Japan–Russia exchanges both countries, his exchanges with Development” were held Hokkaido University University was confirmed as the host for many hours. During the General Hokkaido University, and for his as well as the HU–MSU nd th and Keio Plaza Hotel of the 2 General Assembly meeting, Assembly Meeting on the 19 , assistance in the establishment Round Table “Russian Sapporo. to be held next year. President Nawa student representatives from Japan of the Association as well as the – Japanese Cultural and Rector Sadovnichy approved all and Russia presented the outcome of implementation of the General Dialogue.” In each parallel About 200 people points presented in the communique their discussions to General Assembly Assembly. session, exchange plans paritcipated in the in the official Signing Ceremony participants MEXT Minister Yoshimasa General Assembly were introduced by each Meeting. This included university and there presidents and vice were active discussions Photo captions: presidents from 21 concerning the promotion of future inter-university P. 4: President Nawa and Rector Sadovnichy of Lomonosov Japanese and 11 Russian Moscow State University holding the communique member universities, as exchanges. President well as non-member Nawa and Rector P.5 top: General Assembly Meeting commerative photo Sadovnichy agreed upon universities and business P.5 bottom: Mr. Yoshimasa Hayashi, Minister of Education, representatives with a a shared vision of a new Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and President strong interest in inter- era in Japan–Russia inter- Nawa talking with student representatives from the Japan–Russia Student Forum university exchanges between the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, university exchanges, and promised two countries. Ms. Harumi Takahashi, of that both universities would lead the Hokkaido Prefecture, and Mr. Andrey future of these exchanges together. The assembly opened with remarks Fabrichnikov, Consul-General of the from Hokkaido University President Consulate-General of the Russian In the last part of the General Toyoharu Nawa, who acted as Federation in Sapporo. Following Assembly Meeting, a communique representative of one of the the opening ceremony, faculty was created based on the organizing universities and co-chair members of Hokkaido University outcomes of the parallel sessions 4 5 Hokkaido University Times JuneSeptember 2018 | Issue 2017 2017 6| |Issue Issue 3 3

Spotlight on Research

Boxing, Evictions and Poverty in the Philippines

“For a single event, there are many the city presents, stories, many realities,” explained retired boxers often Dr. Ishioka (far left) enjoying life in the boxing gym Dinner time with the boxers Associate Professor Tomonori end-up living in the Other than the discord this causes and build strong social networks. “I would like to tell a story of my Ishioka. “As a sociologist of the body city slums due to within families, this creates a number However, since relocation areas are friend, a former boxer,” Dr. Ishioka and urban poor, it is my obligation financial difficulties of social problems. Dr. Ishioka located so far away from the city, started. “He trained hard, had heart, to use theory to understand events and poor educational mentioned there is an increase in this disappears. “Only loneliness, and loved boxing, but boxing did not and share to everyone the realities background. They violence, and it is not uncommon for malungkot in Tagalog, and poverty love him. So, he retired from boxing of the people who live at the social take up seasonal the men who work in Manila to spend are left.” Dr. Ishioka remarked. and became a fitness trainer in a bottom—to share their history.” work in construction their wages before the weekend on shopping mall. If we think about this or become pedicab gambling, cock-fighting, and drinking. Manila is experiencing economic story with this information, we may For a large portion of his academic drivers. Even boxing Dr. Tomonori Ishioka (right) with Alex Escaner, one of his boxer The women left at the relocation sites growth, and this is great for many think: ‘Great! The redevelopment of career, Dr. Ishioka has focused on the managers take up side friends in the Philippines also turn to drugs and prostitution to people; but the development of the Manila created new opportunities relationship between boxing in the jobs, running a cock- earn money. city has created new poverty. Dr. for retired boxers. The situation is Philippines and poverty. To thoroughly fighting business or a Ishioka claims that the number of good!’ But after this, the homes of study this, he emphasizes the nearby restaurant for example. When these initiatives began in It is normal for extended families in homeless people is now actually his relatives were demolished by the importance of taking ethnographic the 1960s and 70s, relocation sites the Philippines to live together, even higher than before, contrary to very same company he works for— research further to include live-in About a decade ago, the capital were fairly close to the then city the impoverished. The prospect of how the situation may look initially. There is no simple story.” research, physically experiencing of the Philippines, Manila, began center of Manila and have by now opportunity that cities offer draws However, every story can be seen and participating in boxers’ daily experiencing rapid globalization and been reintegrated into the city; but people to move into the same through different lenses—from Dr. Ishioka regularly visits the lives to understand their lives and economic growth. The popularity of nowadays, those who face eviction household. On an economic level, the social bottom, through to the Philippines and continues researching perspectives boxing in the country gave rise to are being sent to areas so far from these people live in poverty, but, on middle class, all the way to the upper urban marginalities, the urban poor, new opportunities for retired boxers Manila that it makes it impossible to a social level, they have each other. echelons of society. poverty, and boxing. His work on “’Live-in’ is a key word in my research. to become fitness trainers in gyms. commute to work on a daily basis. They are able to confide in each other boxers was published in a book titled The boxing gym is a window to “Boxing and fitness culture became Because of the convenient location, Everyday Life of Underdog Filipino observe slum and shanty town life.” the new fashion for the middle class.” but also more so because people Boxers: Body Cultures Crafted in Dr. Ishioka explained. do not want to leave their homes, Destitution. His current study on He would go on morning jogs, eat demolitions tend to turn violent. evictions and the demolition of shanty breakfast, train, socialize, have dinner However, this economic boom led towns has led him to start studying and sleep in the same quarters as the to new problems for those in the “In most cases, after relocation the the social effects of tear gas, a boxers in a gym located in Paranaque, slums. Shanty towns are mostly husband moves to Manila. He lives chemical used against those who Manila. located within city centers, and with with friends, or becomes ‘weekday refuse to leave to-be-demolished the international urbanization of the homeless,’ meaning on weekdays shanty towns. He expects to publish According to Dr. Ishioka, boxers city, the Filipino government and he lives the homeless life—sleeps in this research in the coming years. usually have strong connections with National Housing Authority began jeepneys for example—and then he shanty towns, and this is especially issuing evictions to those living in goes back to the relocation site on apparent after they retire. Facing the shanty towns to be demolished and the weekends.” dilemma whether or not to stay in relocating these people outside of Shanty town in Quezon City, post-demolition Manila because of the opportunities the city. 6 7 Hokkaido University Times June 2018 | Issue 6

Key molecule for flu infection identified

After decades of research, a research team has discovered the key receptor molecule that enhances the infection of the Citizen science influenza A virus, providing a novel target for anti-flu drug A powerful tool to combat development. invasive giant slugs Viral infection starts when a virus particle attaches to a receptor molecule on the surface of a host cell. The virus particle then hijacks cellular machinery to enter the cell and replicate itself, establishing the Photo by Sanae Watanabe infection. The key receptor molecule for the influenza A virus (IAV) has remained unidentified despite With the help of citizen science, to horticultural and agricultural crops. the number of slugs present on decades of research. researchers have unraveled the A research team led by Yuta Morii the path, volunteer naturalist Sanae Professor Yusuke Ohba (center) and the lab members. close correlation between weather of Hokkaido University previously Watanabe hiked the Mt. Maruyama A research team led by Professor conditions and the appearances of reported the spread of the species route, in Sapporo, Japan, at 5:00 AM Yusuke Ohba of Hokkaido University virus entry. They also revealed that a giant slug species, enabling them and its potential native predator in nearly every day for two years. At previously demonstrated that sialic acid on the Ca2+ channel is to predict the slug’s activity on the Japan. the same time, researchers were 2+ changes in Ca concentration in host crucial for the virus to bind. following day. feeding weather data obtained from cells play an important role in IAV In the current study published in a Sapporo City meteorological infections. Finally, the team tested the effect of The giant slug Limax maximus, an Science of the Total Environment, station located 2 kilometers from Mt. CCB on IAV infections using mice. invasive species which made its Morii and his collaborators found that Maruyama into a computer. They then In the latest study published in When they treated the animals with way from northern Europe to Japan a certain set of weather conditions conducted statistical analyses using a Cell Host & Microbe, the team has CCB intranasally, a significant and and other regions worldwide, is could be a reliable short-term indicator recently developed method known 2+ discovered that the Ca channel, dose-dependent reduction in the notorious for the harm it can cause of how often giant slugs would as Bayesian regularization, which a transmembrane protein that amount of replicated viruses was appear on a set mountain path. The elucidated the correlation between 2+ allows Ca to move across the observed. When the animals were findings showed that the slugs were slug appearances and complex cell membrane, is the key receptor treated with high amounts of IAV, more likely to appear on days with weather conditions. molecule for IAV infections. administration of CCB significantly higher humidity and lower windspeed Furthermore, treating human cells prolonged survival and allowed and precipitation than the 20-year “Citizen science is a powerful tool with calcium channel blockers weight recovery of the survivors average. Furthermore, following days to combat the challenges created (CCBs), which are commonly used as whereas the untreated group died which recorded higher than average by invasive species. Our study anti-hypertension drug, significantly within five days. humidity and precipitation and emphasizes the importance of suppressed IAV infections. lower than average windspeed and collaborations between researchers, “There were cases when the atmospheric pressure, the number of government administration, and In experiments using cultured human suppressive effect of CCB on IAV slug appearances tended to increase. citizen volunteers. We hope that our cells, the team found that IAV binds to infections was comparable to that of They used the findings to make prediction method can be used in the 2+ the Ca channel on the cell’s surface an existing anti-flu drug. We expect predications regarding future slug future to develop targeted eradication 2+ to trigger an influx of Ca , followed that the interaction between IAV and Human bronchial epithelial cells cultured with sightings. policies against slugs.” said Yuta Morii. 2+ (bottom) or without (top) a calcium channel by entry of the virus and infection. the Ca channel could be a novel blocker (CCB) prior to exposure to IAV. Red 2+ Knocking down Ca channels and important target for future drug signals show infected and replicated IAV. This study was made possible by 2+ inhibited IAV-induced Ca influx and citizen science. In order to survey development,” says Yusuke Ohba. Dr. Yuta Morii of Hokkaido University 8 9 Hokkaido University Times

2018 Hokkaido University Festival A lively 3-day event comprised of 10 festivals bringing together students and university clubs, allowing them to showcase their expertise and activities.

The 17th Sci-Tech Talk in English by Cawthron Nelson Institute and the University of Auckland. Photo by OIAS.

Inter-University Exchange Agreement Sakura Science Program Visit. GiFT participant takes the 2017 Hokkaido with United Arab Emireates University Image by the Integrated Science Program. University Experience Tour

Follow us on: Editor: Katrina-Kay Alaimo, PhD. Hokkaido University (https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/) Kita 8, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0808

Interested in being featured in the next issue or have any comments? 10 Email [email protected]. Please also check out the Hokkaido University Times webpage.