Report: Visit of the DANDRITE delegation, Aarhus University, Denmark to BRI, Niigata University (12-14 April 2023)

The delegation of Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Aarhus University, Denmark, including Dr Poul Nissen, Director of DANDRITE, group leaders, team leaders, and their families, visited BRI from 12 to 14 April 2023.

Partnership Symposium Program

The interaction between DANDRITE and BRI has developed since individual project collaborations was initiated between scientists of both institutes. On 25 November 2019, DANDRITE and BRI signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Aarhus University and since then, we have coordinated with DANDRITE on joint seminars and visits. We had to postpone the delegation visit up until now due to COVID-19, and we finally had a pleasure to welcome the DANDRITEs to BRI, and to offer the opportunity to show them BRI and our distinctive research environment that serves as the flagship of Niigata University.

On the morning of 12 April, the delegation toured the BRI Dept of Molecular Genetics, Center for Integrated Human Brain Science, Dept of Cellular Neuropathology, and Dept of System Pathology for Neurological Disorders (Tainaka lab). From the afternoon of 12 April to the morning of 13 April, a partnership symposium was held. NU President Dr Tatsuo Ushiki and Dr Kuni Sueyoshi, Executive vice president for research and postgraduate studies, participated the symposium along with other attendees. Eight presentations were given by DANDRITE PIs, and 12 presentations were given by professors from NU School of Medicine, young researchers, and professors from BRI, and Dr Hiroyuki Nawa, former BRI Director (currently Professor of Wakayama Medical University). A total of 187 people gathered for lively discussions during the two days. After the symposium, the delegation went to the Niigata City tour in the afternoon, visiting the Niigata Saito villa, Imayotsukasa sake brewery, Minemura miso brewery, and Minato Marche Pier Bandai. To our great joy, many research collaborations were proposed during the dinner meetings. On the morning of 14 April, the delegation visited the BRI labs such as Dept of Neuroscience of Disease (Matsui lab & Sugie lab), Dept of System Pathology for Neurological Disorders (Ueno lab), and Dept of Pathology (Niigata Brain Bank), which is of high interest to the DANDRITE scientists.

During the program, Director Dr Nissen and the delegation were very impressed with the extensive research activities and BRI facilities, from basic to clinical, centered on neuroscience taking place at BRI. The close interaction between DANDRITE and BRI made the visit a fruitful one for future collaborations. The delegation enjoyed their visit to Niigata very much, including a few cherry blossoms in full bloom.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all those involved in planning and organizing of the detailed program.

By Prof Toshikuni Sasaoka
(Dept of Comparative & Experimental Medicine)

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