Center for Agricultural and Life Sciences using Synchrotron Light

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Masahiko Harata

The Center for Agricultural and Life Sciences using Synchrotron Light (A-Sync) was established in September 2021 as a center attached to the Graduate School of Agriculture, Tohoku University. Currently, a next-generation synchrotron radiation facility is being constructed at Tohoku University’s Aobayama New Campus, scheduled for completion in 2023. As the closest department to this synchrotron radiation facility, and in view of the importance of food and agriculture-related industries in the Tohoku region, it is expected that the Graduate School of Agriculture will actively utilize next-generation synchrotron radiation. Therefore, A-Sync aims to promote research/education and industry-government-academia collaboration in the Graduate School of Agriculture by utilizing synchrotron radiation technology to tackle various issues in the fields of agriculture and life sciences centered on food, health, and environment in collaboration with the International Center for Synchrotron Radiation Innovation Smart (SRIS) and the Photon Science Innovation Center (PhoSIC), Tohoku University. In addition, we will develop human resources who can play an active role internationally in the new interdisciplinary field of synchrotron radiation agricultural science. Furthermore, based on a network of research centers in Japan and overseas, we are envisioning the “Formation of an International Education Center for Agricultural and Life Sciences using Synchrotron Light ~Creation of New Technologies and Industries and International Human Resource Development for Food Security and a Society of Healthy Longevity~”, which has been adopted as the Science Council of Japan Master Plan 2020 (Project No. 41, Area No. 14-2). We ask for your expectations for the future of food and agriculture opened up by next-generation synchrotron radiation, and for your understanding and cooperation in A-Sync’s activities.

October 2021
Director, Center for Agricultural and Life Sciences using Synchrotron Light, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tohoku University
Masahiko Harata