Shimane University has interdisciplinary research groups called "Project Center" with the aim of promoting unique research and educational activities.

Project Centers

Higgs and Early Universe Project Center

• Director
  Naoyuki HABA, Professor, Academic Assembly Institute of Science and Engineering
• Theme
   Theoretical research of Higgs particle and early universe
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  A newly discovered elementary particle called "Higgs", which was discovered at a large collider, LHC, in 2012, has a unique property that its vacuum condensation endows other elementary particles with mass. We are conducting a theoretical research on the mechanism for the Higgs condensation. Elementary particles like the Higgs belong to the microscopic world, but they are also connected to the structure of the entire Universe. We focus our attention on the fact that "neutrinos", the elementary particles that pass through almost all matters, are deeply related to a mystery that anti-matters scarcely exist in Nature, and are performing simulations of the neutrino-detection experiment planned in Oki Islands.
• To the Project Center's website ---Higgs and Early Universe Project Center

Nanotechnology Project Center

• Director
  Yasuhisa FUJITA, Professor,Academic Assembly Institute of Science and Engineering
• Theme
   Research and development in the nanoscience, nanotechnology and related fields
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  Shimane University had developed nano-materials that are economical, simple, environment-friendly and practical. We have established Shimane University Nanotechnology Project Center in January 2013 to accelerate the interdisciplinary research of Shimane nanotech such as crystallographic studies of nanomaterials, research and development of novel functional materials, devices and nanobiomedical applications.
• To the Project Center's website ---Nanotechnology Project Center

Raman Project Center for Medical and Biological Applications

• Director
  Tatsuyuki YAMAMOTO, Professor, Academic Assembly Institute of Life and Agricultural Sciences
• Theme
  Applied study of Raman spectroscopy on medical and biological fields
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  Raman spectroscopy gives us the information of molecular structures and environment  as they are, without need for the pre-analysis.  In our Project Center, we utilize Multivariate Curve Resolution technique to decompose the measured Raman spectra into some genuine components when they are applied in the fields of medicine and biology. By using this technique, we can observe and evaluate the living tissues and cells in vivo as they are with Raman spectroscopy.
• To the Project Center's website ---Raman Project Center for Medical and Biological Applications

Fisheries Ecosystem Project Center

• (formerly Fisheries Management Research Center)
• Director
  Futoshi ARANISHI, Professor, Academic Assembly Institute of Life and Agricultural Sciences
• Theme
  Development of wetland ecological and economic management systems for sustainable production of valuable fisheries resources.
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  Shimane University established Fisheries Management Research Center (FMRC) as the first institution of higher education and research of fisheries science in the National Universities along the Sea of Japan in 2014. FMRC had delivered educational programs and research projects for the development, management, and conservation of valuable fisheries resources in cooperation with governmental and non-governmental wetland organizations in the San-in Region. In 2019, FMRC reorganizes as Fisheries Ecosystem Project Center (FEPC), and FEPC extensively promotes the practical application of the FMRC research projects to the ecological and economic resources management for sustainable wetland fisheries.
• To the Project Center's website ---Fisheries Management Research Center

"SUIGANN" Project Center

• Director
  Takeshi URANO, Professor, Academic Assembly
• Theme
  Antibody drug preparation against pancreatic cancer
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  Morbidity for the pancreatic carcinoma in Shimane Prefecture is on a high level in Japan. It is a highly lethal cancer; mortality for the disease is also high. More than 90% of patients die within 5 years of their diagnosis and 75% of patients die within the first year. The mortality rate in Shimane prefecture is above the national average. Since it is a disease whose prognosis is extremely poor compared with other cancers, development of novel treatment methods is desired. Shimane University Hospital is taking a leading part in multidisciplinary, fundamental/clinical researchers with the aim of eradicating the pancreatic cancer. We will make a number of monoclonal antibodies for early diagnosis and/or treating the disease.

Ancient Izumo Project Center

• Director
  Yasuo OHASHI, Professor, Academic Assembly Institute of Humanities and Social Science
• Theme
  Interdisciplinary Research of the Development of a Regional Polity in the Formation of Izumo no Kuni (the Izumo Province)
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  We are pursuing a comprehensive  study on the formation and development  of the areal province in the process of formation of "Izumo Province" in a multifaceted way by utilizing methods of document-based  historical research, archaeology, and geology. Especially we concentrate on reconstructing the image of ancient Izumo by investigating how the unit of a "local area" was formed by researching timeless historical data. As one of the main subjects, we are making investigation and researches of local administrative offices centering around the Izumo provincial government, which was deeply related with the formation of Ancient Izumo. The local administrative system of ancient Japan is represented by the structure of areal administrative offices centering around the provincial government. We therefore try to elucidate when the provincial government was established and how its structure was.

Geo-Park Project Center

• Director
  Toshiaki IRIZUKI, Professor, Academic Assembly Institute of Environmental Systems Science
• Theme
  Scientific investigation of the geopark regions in Shimane Prefecture (Izumo and Oki regions) in order to promote it in Japanese and international Geo-parks
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  The UNESCO Global Geopark is an official program aiming at promoting sustainable local development of the areas which are valuable from the point of geoscience through education and geo-tourism utilizing the geological heritage from the perspective of the earth, ecosystems, and humans. The main purpose of our ongoing research, education, and outreach activities is to develop new regional resources for the geopark regions in Shimane Prefecture by reevaluating them from the interdisciplinary points of view such as geoscience, ecology, history, and culture.
• To the Project Center's website ---Geo-Park Project Center

Regional Design Project Center

• (former Wood-Design Project Center)
• Director
  Tomohisa HOSODA, Professor, Academic Assembly Institute of Environmental Systems Science
• Theme
  Regional revitalization by the utilization of vacant houses, etc. in Shimane Prefecture.
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  The Regional Design Project Center evaluates building resources such as vacant houses for areas where depopulation is progressing in the Shimane Prefecture. Students also participate in the activities of the Center, which operates as a home for practical architectural education. In addition to the use of vacant homes, the Center works as a base for regional revitalization through collaboration between industry, academia, and local government, and it promotes the following:
  1) Building Surveys: survey and research of building resources such as traditional houses.
  2) Regional Design: proposal of future regional design.
  3) Architectural Design: creating policies for building design and renovation.
  4) Renovation: house renovation through collaboration with local companies.

Fortification of local specialty food functions

• Director
  Makoto KAWAMUKAI, Professor, Academic Assembly Institute of Life and Agricultural Sciences
• Theme
  Assessment of the functions of local specialty foods in San-in area and their fortification by research development
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  This project aims to research and assess functional food factors in local specialty foods in San-in area, and fortify their health beneficial effects using various techniques.
  This project consists of following three groups.
  1)A group to explore and assess new functional factors of foods
  2)A group to fortify food functions by fermentation and food processing
  3)A group to strengthen functional-food plants and aquatic products by biotechnology
  The goal of this project is to develop high value foods by investigating many aspects of local specialty foods and their functional food ingredients through coordination of these three groups.

Welfare Information Technology Project Center

• Director
  Masahiko NAWATE, Professor, Academic Assembly Institute of Science and Engineering
• Theme
  Application of ICT to Welfare Field
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  We will develop practical systems, methods, and solutions　that use ICT to measure and support cognitive activities,　rehabilitation of elderly and disabled people and mobility.

Comprehensive Care Network for Control of Infectious Disease towards Health Longevity

• Director
  Hironori YOSHIYAMA, Professor, Academic Assembly Institute of Medicine and Nursing
• Theme
  Maintenance and control of immunity and systemic healthy microbiota in elderly people and sick people
• Term
  2019/04/01-2022/03/31
• Outline
  Promote research on the oral and intestinal flora important for maintaining the health of elderly and sick people.Develop new diagnostic and therapeutic methods for maintaining the health of elderly and sick people.

Project Centre for Wide-Area Cooperation to Protect the Water Environment and Water Resources of the San'in Region

• Director
  Singo MATSUMOTO, Professor, Academic Assembly Institute of Life and Agricultural Sciences
• Theme
  Monitoring and protection of the water environment in the western region of the Sea of Japan by using a highly mobile experimental vessel and sophisticated environmental measuring equipment.
• Term
  2021/06/23-2022/03/31
• Outline
  We will expand the observation network of environmental pollution data in the western part of the Sea of Japan by fully utilizing the analysis technology of heavy metals, dating technology by fixed sediments, analysis technology of environmental DNA, and highly functional experimental vessels that we have developed. We will also feedback these results to local stakeholders to contribute to safe agriculture, forestry, and fisheries and revitalize the region.

Please refer to the link below about the previous centers.
https://www.proken.shimane-u.ac.jp/project_center/p_center_e_old.html