2017 Activity Report vol.44:University of Miyazaki

Activity Report of Open Application Course vol.44

“Molecular Histochemical Training for Bio-Imaging” at Faculty of Miyazaki, University of Miyazaki

Report from University of Miyazaki

Through SAKURA Exchange Program in Science, University of Miyazaki invited a group from Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS) from February 26 to March 7, 2018. A total of 11 participants were lecturers, assistant professors and graduate students of MNUMS. The participants had much interest in observing hospital wards, outpatient and inpatient clinic. They were actively discussing the differences and similarities of medical services in Japan and Mongolia. Since the most participants are teaching staff in MNUMS, they wanted to see settings in medical teaching, such as classrooms and seminar rooms in University of Miyazaki.

The participants met with the President of University of Miyazaki, Professor Tsuyomu Ikenoue and discussed future cooperation of the two universities. Moreover, Professor Yoshitaka Hishikawa introduced program outline as well as research laboratory.

image1
Meeting with the president Dr. Ikenoue of UOM
image2
Professor Hishikawa’s lecture

The Participants had great interests in laboratory works. Together with an instructor, they performed full procedures of tissue sampling of experimental mouse sampling. Although the time was limited, they tried many experiments, such as hematoxylin and eosin staining, methylgreen Pyronin Y staining, periodic acid Schiff staining, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

In Bio-Imaging center of University of Miyazaki, they studied transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine ultra structure of biological samples. In addition, immunohistochemistry results were observed on laser scanning microscopy (LSM) to detect multiple protein expression in the same tissue section. Altogether they have experienced the possibilities of the life science research.

image4
Laboratory works
image4
Hands-on seminar at Bio-Imaging center

During the weekend, they visited Kagoshima prefecture to learn about the culture, history, nature and industry in Kagoshima. As Mongolia has no sea, the participants enjoyed very much to visit Kagoshima city aquarium and the beachside near Ibusuki. Dolphin performance, various marine species were very new for them, including sharks, snakes and tortoises. Moreover, Ibusuki was a good place to introduce Japanese culture of hot springs and sand baths. They were really impressed that Japan lies along the active volcanoes.

image5
Beautiful ocean and nature in Kagoshima
image6
Enjoyed seeing sea animals at the aquarium

They visited Emergency Medicine and Acute Critical Care Center in University of Miyazaki Hospital. Miyazaki is a large prefecture surrounded by mountains hence, the air ambulance helicopter (Dr. Heli) is serving for remote areas for life threatening emergency cases. Similar with Miyazaki, Mongolian people are sparsely distributed in wide area that makes challenges in emergency services. They were inspired by the latest system of advanced medical services at university hospital.

On the final day, Mongolian participants presented what inspired them and what they have learned in Japan during Sakura Exchange Program in Science. Before having farewell lunch they received certificates from the dean of faculty of Medicine, Professor Masugi Maruyama.

image7
With Dr. Heli and the staff
image8
SSP certificates were handed by Dean Prof. Maruyama

We hope that the Sakura Exchange Program will bring fruitful benefits in cooperation between Japan and Mongolia.