Doctoral Program for World-leading Innovative & Smart Education

Hiroshima University was selected for the MEXT WISE Program (Doctoral Program for World leading Innovative & Smart Education) in AY2018. Since then, the University has offered the Frontier Development Program for Genome Editing, an integrated Master's-Doctoral degree program designed to cultivate doctoral professionals capable of driving innovation across society.

Since AY2025, following the end of the government-funding period, the program has entered a self-sustaining phase. Building on the educational and research foundations established over the years, the University continues to advance the program as one of its own initiatives. The program has also produced graduates who are making significant contributions across academia and industry, demonstrating the program’s success in cultivating highly capable professionals.

Genome editing is an innovative biotechnology that enables precise modification of the genomes of a wide variety of organisms through the use of artificial DNA-cutting enzymes, known as genome editing tools. Its applications have rapidly expanded beyond basic research into industrial and medical fields, including biofuel production, crop improvement, and drug discovery. To ensure responsible implementation of these technologies in society, it is essential to promote world-leading research and development while fostering talented professionals with due consideration to ethical and social issues.

Hiroshima University is home to several of Japan's leading researchers in genome editing, who have made outstanding contributions in the field and play central roles in the governance and operation of the Japanese Society for Genome Editing. We are also promoting industry-academia co-creation through the JST COI-NEXT (Open Innovation Platform for Industry-academia Co-creation) program under the concept of Bio × Digital Transformation (BioDX), which seeks to unlock the full potential of biological functions to address societal challenges such as emerging infectious diseases, food security, and carbon neutrality. Through these efforts, Hiroshima University will continue to work toward realizing a bioeconomythat contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)from Hiroshima.

We warmly welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds who share the vision of this program and aspire to create new industries and help shape the future together with us.

This program aims to cultivate individuals who will lead the creation of new industries in biotechnology through a curriculum delivered by leading genome editing researchers from Japan and around the world.

The program offers two distinct courses: the five-year Life Science Course, which focuses on new industry creation, and the four-year Medical Course, which covers disease research as well as the development of genome editing-based therapies and pharmaceuticals. Through these courses, students acquire systematic knowledge and technical skills in genome editing, from basic principles to practical applications.

In addition, the program provides practical education by integrating diverse learning opportunities, including ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues) education, internships at the Center foriPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at Kyoto University, and research activities at overseas institutions.

Hiroshima University has established a strong track record of excellence in genome editing and has earned high recognition in this field. Building on these strengths, the program aims to foster the ability to address societal challenges through cutting-edge research by making use of networks across industry, academia, government, and the public sector.

We will continue to improve and expand the program’s educational offerings and remain committed to ensuring that students develop the practical skills and initiative required to succeed on the global stage.

Genome editing technology needs to be actively utilized in order for industries to solve fundamental human problems related to food, energy, and diseases. Hiroshima University has led the genome editing field over the years. In 2012, it established the Genome Editing Consortium, and in 2016, the Japanese Society for Genome Editing, centered around Hiroshima University’s researchers.

The global market of genome editing is expected to rapidly grow in many fields, including life science research, the biotechnology industry, breeding of animals and plants, medical care, and drug discovery. The competition to develop these technologies is getting more intense. Thus, Hiroshima University is one of the best places in Japan to learn genome editing because it has served as the domestic base of genome editing research and can collaborate with a wide range of organizations.

Why don’t you join us in advancing genome editing technology?