Yumi Tohyama

Professor in the division of biochemistry, faculty of pharmaceutical sciences
Himeji Dokkyo University
Himeji, Japan

How long have you been an ASBMB member?
I have been an ASBMB member for five years.

What do you study?
I study the molecular mechanism of immune/blood cells from the viewpoint of the signal transduction system, especially phagocytic cells, including macrophages, osteoclasts and neutrophils.

What are some hot research areas in your country?
In Japan, one hot area is research on induced pluripotent stem cells related to regeneration medicine, and another area is the epigenetic study of malignant neoplastic disease. The inflammatory mechanism in innate immunity is also a hot area.

Where do you see research going in your country in 5 to 10 years?
Research leading to a novel technology that generates safe energy including biologic energy or plant biology.

Are there any barriers to collaboration?
I do not think so.

Where do you get most of your funding?
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

How do you think research in your country differs most from research in the United States?
In Japan, it seems to me, few researchers exchange between public laboratories and other ones.

Did you do any of your training abroad?
I did not.

Nicole Kresge (nkresge@asbmb.org) is the editor of ASBMB Today.