YOSHIKI SASAI
MEMORIAL
SYMPOSIUM
Thu, Jan 22, 2026
Congrès Convention Center, Osaka
OVERVIEW
Outline
Organoids - three-dimensional structures derived from stem cells - have revolutionized biomedical research. Through this technology, miniature versions of organs such as the brain, intestine, liver, kidney, and lung can now be generated in vitro, offering transformative platforms with the potential to greatly advance basic biology, disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine.
This remarkable progress in organoid research can be traced back to the seminal contributions of Dr. Yoshiki Sasai. He began his scientific journey as a developmental biologist. Using model systems including Xenopus and pluripotent stem cells, he made a cascade of pioneering discoveries in fundamental biological processes such as neural induction, positional information-mediated regionalization, tissue self-organization, and developmental robustness. Building on these conceptual advances, he extended his work into new frontiers, demonstrating the directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into functional cell types, such as dopaminergic neurons - and, even more strikingly, into complex self-organizing organoid structures of the cerebral cortex, optic cup, and pituitary gland. These achievements astonished the global scientific community and opened uncharted horizons for developmental biology and stem cell-based regenerative medicine.
► Link to Yoshiki's legacy
The symposium will be held with the participation of leading researchers - including those directly mentored by Dr. Sasai - to reflect on his scientific legacy and the far-reaching impact of his work. Through shared discussion, we aim to revisit the past, explore perspectives on the present, and envision the future that Dr. Sasai aspired to realize. We warmly invite you to join us for this special occasion.
This symposium will be held as a satellite event of The 12th Takeda Science Foundation Symposium on PharmaScience, titled "Organoid 4D: Development, Disease, Diversity and Discovery.
► Link to Organoid 4D
We are deeply grateful to the Takeda Science Foundation, Toshiro Sato (Keio University), Takanori Takebe (Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center), and Mitsuru Morimoto (RIKEN BDR) for their generous support and exceptional kindness.
Organizer
Secretariat of the Yoshiki Sasai Memorial Symposium
Hiroshi Kawasaki, Kanazawa University
Kenji Mizuseki, Osaka Metropolitan University
Noriaki Sasai, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Kiichi Watanabe, Fujita Health University
Masatoshi Ohgushi, Kyoto University
Hideya Sakaguchi, RIKEN BDR
Satoru Okuda, Kanazawa University
Date & Time
Thursday, January 22, 2026, 13:00–18:30 (JST)
Venue & Access
Congrès Convention Center, Grand Front Osaka
Grand Front Osaka North Tower B2F
3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0011, Japan
Please refer to the following link:
► Access section of Organoid 4D
Registration Fee
Free of charge
PROGRAM
Program
Time | Speakers |
13:00-13:05 | Opening Address – Hiroshi Kawasaki |
13:05-13:15 | Welcome Remarks – Toshiro Sato |
Welcome Remarks – Kohji Nishida |
13:15-13:30 | Biography of Dr. Sasai – Kenji Mizuseki |
Session 1 |
13:30-14:30 | S1-1 Noriaki Sasai |
S1-2 Hiroshi Kawasaki |
S1-3 Kiichi Watanabe |
S1-4 Hideya Sakaguchi |
14:30-14:45 | Coffee Break |
Session 2 |
14:45-15:45 | S2-1 Nozomu Takata |
S2-2 Atsushi Kuwahara |
S2-3 Satoru Okuda |
S2-4 Masatoshi Ogushi |
15:45-16:00 | Coffee Break |
Session 3 |
16:00-17:55 | S3-1 Jun Takahashi |
S3-2 Masayo Takahashi |
S3-3 Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte |
S3-4 Jürgen Knoblich |
S3-5 Sergiu Pasca |
18:00-18:05 | Closing Remarks – Ryoichiro Kageyama |
18:30-18:30 | Banquet at Congrès Convention Center |
BANQUET
Banquet
We are pleased to invite participants to the symposium banquet, which will provide an opportunity for informal discussions and networking in a relaxed atmosphere.
Banquet Start Time: 6:30 p.m.
Venue: Congrès Convention Center
Registration Fee: ¥8,000 (Japanese Yen)
Registration for the banquet should be made through the Takeda Symposium registration form, together with the symposium registration. Information on how to pay the banquet fee and the payment deadline will be provided by email.
REGISTRATION
How to Register
All participants, including those attending only as audience members, must register online in advance. Please register using the shared form linked from Organoid 4D:
► Registration section of Organoid 4D
Note: Participants must be able to communicate in English.
Registration Deadline
Friday, October 31, 2025 (JST)
Registration Fee
Free of charge
Notification of Participation Status
Due to capacity limitations, some applicants may not be able to attend. All registrants will be notified of their participation status after the registration deadline.