In 2019, Hiroshima University launched the Frontier Development Program for Genome Editing, an integrated Master’s-PhD course, with the aim of training PhD students to introduce innovations to society.

Genome editing is a new biotechnology that makes it possible to rewrite the genomic information of various living organisms at will, using an artificial DNA-cutting enzyme (genome editing tool). Basic genome editing research has advanced considerably. As it is just a matter of time before we see the industrial and medical application of genome editing in the field of biofuel, breeding, and drug discovery, the ethical aspects of genome editing should be considered when scientists conduct cutting-edge R&D in this area of biotechnology.

This program will establish the Life Science Course (5-year curriculum) and the Medical Course (4-year curriculum) in order to provide students with opportunities to acquire basic and applied knowledge and to learn techniques of genome editing. This program enables students to master genome editing technology and connect it directly to industry.
One of the features of this program is that students are trained to conduct cutting-edge and practical research through collaboration with companies participating in the Program on Open Innovation Platform with Enterprises, Research Institutes, and Academia and partner institutes.

This program started to accept students in April 2019, and will be implemented as a degree program across several graduate schools.