CMX Young Scientists Collaborative Research Project in FY 2026

CMX invited applications for the FY2026 Young Scientists Collaborative Research Project (application period: May 1 to July 6, 2026). Following a rigorous review by the CMX Advisory Board and Steering Committee, five projects have been selected.

Selected Projects

A: Equipment Use(Xenium)	Project Title: Elucidating synchronized bone and blood aging via spatial omics: Age-related degeneration of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow niche Principal Investigator: Junji Otani (Division of Cellular Medical Science, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) Co-Investigator: Tomoyuki Kamenaga (Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kobe University Hospital)
A: Equipment Use(Xenium)	Project Title:Identification and Spatial Characterization of Fibrosis-Associated Tumorigenic Niches in Interstitial Pneumonia-Associated Lung Carcinoma Principal Investigator:Naoe Jimbo (Division of Molecular and Genomic Pathology, Department of Pathology) Co-Investigator:Suguru Mitshi (Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery)
A: Equipment Use(Mantra2)	Project Title:Spatial immune remodeling analysis using paired pre- and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy specimens in pancreatic cancer Principal Investigator:Masahiro Tsujimae (Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine) Co-Investigator:Takayuki Kodama ((Division of Molecular and Genomic Pathology, Department of Pathology))
A: Equipment Use(Mantra2)	Project Title:Elucidation of PLA2G2A-mediated cellular interactions in the perinecrotic microenvironment of glioblastoma Principal Investigator:Hiroaki Nagashima (Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery Related) Co-Investigator:Jiang Guanhua (Division of Homeostatic Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology)
A: Equipment Use(Xenium)	Project Title:Study of Therapeutic Response Mechanisms in Ulcerative Colitis by Integrating Cell Spatial Analysis Based on Artificial Intelligence with Spatial Transcriptomics Principal Investigator:Daisuke Watanabe (Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine) Co-Investigator:Shuichi Tsukamoto (Division of Molecular and Genomic Pathology, Department of Pathology)
Application Statistics	Number of Applications: 9 Number of Selected Projects: 5

Application Guidelines

To promote collaborative and international joint research among young researchers in line with the mission of the Center for Medical Transformation (CMX), this program supports developmental collaborative research projects that are expected to contribute to the future of the CMX.

Research Categories	Collaborative research projects conducted either (i) between young researchers within CMX, or (ii) between young researchers within CMX and young researchers in this Graduate School (excluding CMX), utilizing one or more of the following equipment: ・(1)Xenium: Contact Professor Masafumi Horie ・(2)Mantra2: Contact Assistant Professor Takayuki Kodama ・(3)(Cryo-)Electron Microscope: Contact Professor Ryo Nitta ・(4) Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope: Contact Professor Junichi Kikuta Applicants must conduct in advance with the relevant faculty members by June 22, 2026, two weeks prior to the application deadline. For Item (4), proir consultation is recommended but not mandatory. Note:For collaborative research conducted entirely within CMX, collaboration across different research field (e.g., "intractable cancer" and "drug discovery and medical devices") is encouraged. Multiple applications from the same laboratory are permitted; however adjustments may be made during the review process if necessary. Collaborative research between young researchers within CMX and young researchers in other faculties or departments of Kobe University. International collaborative research between young researchers within CMX and young researchers affiliated with overseas research institutions.
Eligibility (Definition of "young researchers")	Eligible applicants are young researchers (excluding graduate students) who meet either of the following criteria: 　・44 years old, (or under 46 years old of the age for those who graduated from a sixth-year university program), or 　・ten years after obtaining a doctoral degree. It is preferable that either the Principal Investigator or Co-investigator is under 40 years old age. Age is determined as of the application deadline.
Grant Amount	This grant is provided as one-time funding for a single fiscal year; carryover to the following fiscal year is not permitted. Total funding of 1.5 to 3.0 million yen for one fiscal year (approximately, 750,000 to 1,500,000 yen per researcher) *To be equally distributed among the Principal Investigator and Co-investigator Total funding of 0.75-3.0 million yen for fiscal year (allocated only to young researchers within CMX) Total funding of 0.75-3.0 million yen for one fiscal year (allocated only to young researchers within CMX)
Deadline for application	Noon, Monday, July 6, 2026 Applicaions closed
How to apply	Applications must be submitted by e-mail with the subject line below: k9shien＊med.kobe-u.ac.jp (change ＊ to @) (Research Support Division / Attn: Amo (Ms.)) Subject line : Application for FY 2026 CMX Young Scientists Collaborative Research Project
Schedule(Tentative)	May 1 (Fri) - July 6 (Mon) , 12:00 Noon: Application period July 10(Mon)：Selection of awardees by the CMX Steering Comittee July 18 (Tue): Research progress presentation and midterm reviewing meeting for FY2025 awardees Mid to late August：Notification of selection results and allocation of research fund

Application Guidelines

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Applications Closed

Selection is in progress