The immune system is crucial to protect us from diseases, and its dysfunction can lead to life-threatening infections, allergies, and autoimmune diseases. Cancers and cardiovascular diseases are major causes of death in old age, and these diseases also involve the immune system. They have a large social impact and are thought to result from "immune system dysregulation." Despite the remarkable achievements of basic research in immunology and related fields, few effective therapies have been developed. One of the main reasons for this is that the gap between basic and clinical medicine hampers "therapeutics" to grow as an academic discipline where we systematically examine and practice disease treatments. Another reason is that there is no solid foundation to foster practitioners who promote "therapeutics".
For over 100 years, Chiba University has contributed greatly to the development of clinical medicine. Our graduates are engaged in cutting-edge treatments and research in the fields of cancer and immunology. To support our efforts in and commitment to cultivating young researchers, we were designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture Science, Sports, and Technology as a "Program for Enhancing Systematic Education in Graduate Schools." With our strengths and achievements, we created a new program for Doctors of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Chiba University. This program provides graduate students with multidisciplinary education and financial support, and aims to foster international leaders who can develop novel therapies of intractable immune-related diseases including allergies, autoimmune diseases, cancers and cardiovascular diseases. The program coursework covers knowledge and skills necessary for basic, translational, and clinical research in immune-related diseases. Specific lectures are designed to help students develop leadership skills and abilities to play active roles in industry, academia and government. Program graduates are expected to become leaders who discover new therapeutic drugs and treatments at national and international universities, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies, or who supervise the development and practice of cutting-edge medical care at university hospitals, key hospitals, and administrative organizations.
This program plays a vital role in fostering new leaders who will develop novel treatments for diseases affecting aging societies.
The total of 54 teaching staff is central to the program: 35 professors from six faculties at Chiba University, six professors from two affiliated institutes, and 13 national and international visiting professors.
Our special lectures and practical courses feature Overseas Training Courses and Drug Development Training Courses. These are supported by 26 visiting professors, who are in the Chiba Visiting Professor Program (CVPP), from 17 foreign universities and research institutes, and 23 visiting professors, who are in the Chiba Career Path Program (CCPP), from 18 national and international companies, and three governmental institutes.
The Future Medicine Research Center at Chiba University and the Allergy Center at the Chiba University Hospital support to provide fulfilling course works.
Chiba University conducts the program in cooperation with two research institutes in Japan: RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, a national center for basic immune research; and the National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, an institute for advanced research on heavy-particle radiotherapy for cancer treatment.
