About RSCCAbout RSCC
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- About RSCC
From experience-driven
to data-driven autonomous experiments.
In biological experiments, precision and efficiency often depend on researchers' experience and skilled techniques. Preserving and passing on this expertise as shared knowledge, while ensuring efficiency and reproducibility, has long been a major challenge.
RSCC (RIKEN–Seiko Collaboration Center) translates the sophisticated measurement, manipulation and decision-making skills developed by researchers into instrument capabilities, including skills that have been difficult to automate. This creates an environment for faster, more precise and efficient experiments and validation. We also aim to build autonomous research systems in which AI learns from high-quality experimental data and instruments explore better conditions for themselves.
Bringing this research environment into widespread use requires academic expertise to be combined with the precision and automation technologies of industry. RSCC brings together RIKEN's knowledge of life sciences and biological experiment automation, the Seiko Group's precision and automation technologies, and AI. Together, we will develop and disseminate a new experimental foundation serving both basic research and industrial applications.
Message
RIKEN-Seiko Collaboration Center
Center DirectorRikiya WATANABE
Shaping the future of biological experiments
with precision automation and AI.
My vision for RSCC is to use technology to bring researchers' ideas and ambitions to life on a larger scale and at greater speed. By combining precision automation and AI, we aim to free researchers from repetitive experimental tasks so they can pursue more creative and ambitious research. We want researchers and engineers from diverse backgrounds to come together across disciplines and organizations, inspiring a continuing flow of new challenges and discoveries. I hope to develop RSCC into a collaborative research hub where we create the future of science together.
Seiko Future
Creation Inc.
PresidentMakoto ICHIMURA
Turning the potential of precision technology
into the power to explore life.
The Seiko Group has refined its technologies in precision manufacturing, measurement and control over many years. At RSCC, we combine these capabilities with RIKEN's cutting-edge expertise to address challenges in research laboratories.
By pursuing technologies that support more efficient, reproducible and automated experiments, we aim to create value that helps researchers take on new challenges and make new discoveries.
Mission
Bringing life sciences and precision engineering together
to open a path toward
automated and autonomous biological experiments.
RIKENLife sciences
Advanced research
Advanced research
RSCCConnecting research and technology
Automated and autonomous experiments
Automated and autonomous experiments
Seiko GroupPrecision engineering
Factory automation
Factory automation
RSCC connects expertise in life science research with precision engineering
to build an experimental foundation in which instruments act, reason and select their next operation, going beyond reliance on human intuition and judgment alone.
Member
RIKEN
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Technical StaffTatsuya IIDA
Instrument development / Instrument operation
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AssistantMika ICHIHASHI
Research and administrative support
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Research ScientistYoshiaki KINOSITA
Biophysics / Software development
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Research ScientistHajime SHINODA
Molecular biology / Bioanalysis
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AssistantTomoko MARUYAMA
Research and administrative support
-
Center DirectorRikiya WATANABE
Research leadership / Biological experiment automation
Seiko
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Visiting ResearcherTakafumi SAKUMA
Electronic design / Software development
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Project Leader / Visiting ResearcherYoshiteru SUZUKI
Commercialization / Electronic design
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Visiting ResearcherAkira TAKAHIRA
Instrument development / Mechanical design
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Visiting ResearcherMasato NIWA
Needs assessment / Commercialization
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R&D Leader / Visiting Researcher Atsushi YAMADA
Instrument development / Mechanical design
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Visiting ResearcherAnna YAMAMOTO
Experimental support
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R&D SupportShoko TAKIMOTO
Software development / Image analysis
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General SupervisorTakashi NAKAGAWA
Research oversight / Commercialization
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Deputy Project LeaderToru OZAKI
Commercialization / Planning
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Planning SupportMoe HIROSE
Commercialization / Planning
A detailed profile is being prepared.
Education
- 2012 B.Sc. Department of Physics, Gakushuin University, Japan
- 2014 M.Sc. Department of Life Science, Gakushuin University, Japan
- 2017 Ph.D. Department of Life Science, Gakushuin University, Japan
Research Experience
- 2015 JSPS Research Fellowship for Young Scientists (DC2)
- 2017 KAKENHI Researcher, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University
- 2017 JSPS Overseas Research Fellow, University of Freiburg, Germany
- 2019 Uehara Memorial Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Oxford, UK
- 2020 Special Postdoctoral Researcher, RIKEN
- 2023 Research Scientist, RIKEN
Professional Memberships
- The Biophysical Society of Japan
Personal Statement
- The mysterious movements of microorganisms I encountered on a snowy mountain still inspire me. Since that memorable day in my fourth year at university, I have been working to understand life more deeply by combining engineering and AI to automate biological experiments and make them autonomous.
Education
- 2014 B.A. Division of Applied Science, School of Engineering, Osaka University, Japan
- 2017 M.Sc. Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Japan
- 2019 Ph.D. Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Japan
Research Experience
- 2018 JSPS Research Fellowship for Young Scientists (DC2)
- 2019 Postdoctoral Researcher, Molecular Physiology Laboratory, RIKEN
- 2020 Research Scientist, Molecular Physiology Laboratory, RIKEN
Professional Memberships
- The Biophysical Society of Japan
- The Molecular Biology Society of Japan
Personal Statement
- I aim to contribute to society by discovering, analyzing and improving biomolecules and combining technologies across disciplines. Even as I wrestle with daily experimental results, I look forward to those occasional moments of discovery.
A detailed profile is being prepared.
Education
- 2004 B.Sc. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Waseda University, Japan
- 2006 M.Sc. Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Japan
- 2009 Ph.D. Division of Advanced Science and Biotechnology, Osaka University, Japan
Research Experience
- 2009 Researcher, Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University
- 2011 Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
- 2013 PRESTO Researcher, Japan Science and Technology Agency (concurrent appointment)
- 2016 Lecturer, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
- 2018 Chief Scientist, Molecular Physiology Laboratory, RIKEN
- 2020 Visiting Professor, Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences (concurrent appointment)
- 2022 Affiliated Professor, Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Medical and Dental University; concurrent appointment)
- 2024 Affiliated Professor, Saitama University (concurrent appointment)
- 2026 Center Director, RIKEN–Seiko Collaboration Center (RSCC; concurrent appointment)
Professional Memberships
- The Biophysical Society of Japan
- The Japan Society of Applied Physics
- Biophysical Society
- American Chemical Society
Personal Statement
- Let's enjoy science and engineering!
A detailed profile is being prepared.
Personal Statement
- I create things that have never existed before.
Personal Statement
- Working in a new field is deeply stimulating. I look forward to new discoveries through the synergy of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Personal Statement
- By bringing precision technology and life sciences together, I work to create technologies that support researchers' ambitions.
Education
- 2000 B.Sc. Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Utsunomiya University, Japan
- 2000 M.Sc. Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Utsunomiya University, Japan
Personal Statement
- I am working toward a future in which robotics and automation are an ordinary part of everyday life, beyond the realm of science fiction.
A detailed profile is being prepared.
A detailed profile is being prepared.
A detailed profile is being prepared.
A detailed profile is being prepared.
A detailed profile is being prepared.