Japan is the center of cutting-edge research in the field of medicine, including oncology, immunology and biochemistry. Before, I could only judge about the complexity of studies according to the papers of Japanese researchers, but now I had the opportunity to see how the system works "in real time" due to Japan-Russia preventive medicine program 2019. And I was deeply impressed.

I am visiting Japan for the first time, but it was always the dream of mine: through some traditional and modern japanese art I think that I was able to percept some really important thing that are characteristic for japanese mentality - concentration, attention to details. Surprisingly, these qualities are vital to a researcher. In my opinion, that is the reason why japanese names are well-known and highly apreciated in modern science (for example, HONJO Tasuku and YAMANAKA Shinya, Nobel prize winners in Medicine and Physiology in various years).

In Cancer research institute of Kanazawa I was hosted by Department of Bioregulation, headed by Prof. Mukaida. The laboratory of Mukaida-sensei works in field of cancer microinvironment,  in other words they truing to elucidate how the molecular mechanisms that are usually controlling homeostasis in healthy state can influence the tumorigenesis. The most of the research is carried out on complex mouse models.  In addition, the laboratory uses many high-tech methods which are optimized in terms of time/cost.  For me, personally, optimisation hints were extremely interesting.

All members of Prof.Mukaida's group are experienced and thoughtful researchers. Every week the "Journal Club" is held in the lab  to share new ideas. 

It was very inspiring to spend a week among professionals who are passionate about their work, I hope that Japan-Russia preventive medicine program experience will help me to improve scientific career.

View from Cancer research institute to Kakuma campus hills 

Brief protocol to immunohistochemistry