2026.06.22
Patent attorney visits ChBRI and gives IP lecture
On 16 June, 2026, Patent Attorney Tsutomu Uchiyama, who advises Niigata University on its intellectual property strategy, visited the Center for Human Brain Research Resource Initiative (ChBRI) and toured its facilities.
ChBRI is a core facility dedicated to mobilizing brain research resources to advance both research and education. The center aims to promote internationally competitive, cutting-edge research, cultivate outstanding talent, and drive innovation. It commenced full-scale operations in April 2026.
Professor Akiyoshi Kakita (Dept of Pathology) first provided an overview of BRI, including the department's activities and achievements to date, as well as its initiatives for the proper preservation and management of valuable brain tissue specimens. He then guided Dr Uchiyama through the ChBRI facilities, introducing various equipment, including the freezer room for storing fresh-frozen brains, the stack runner housing optical sections, and the brain cutting room where postmortem brains are dissected.
Following the tour, Dr Uchiyama delivered a lecture titled "Biomedical Research Results That Cannot Be Protected by Patents Alone." In his presentation, he offered practical, professional insights into the importance of intellectual property protection and ethical review in biomedical research. He also discussed the proper management of research data and resources, emphasizing the significance of these practices without overreliance on exclusive rights such as patents. Faculty and staff from the Depts of Pathology and Molecular Genetics, as well as other related labs, attended the seminar. The session concluded with a lively exchange of views on the handling of research outcomes and strategies for managing intellectual property.
