On Monday, June 29, 2026, Nagaoka University of Technology (NUT) held the 1st Regional Co-creation Innovation Study Session at the Regional GX Innovation Co-Creation Center (hereinafter referred to as the GX Building). To date, NUT has been collaborating with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as AIST) through initiatives such as the “Nagaoka-AIST Biological Resource Recycling Bridge Innovation Laboratory (NAGAOKA・AIST-BIL).” This study session aimed to further develop this foundation and build a network of young researchers and stakeholders. For this inaugural session, held under the theme of “GX (Green Transformation) and Resource Circulation,” participants shared cutting-edge research findings and engaged in discussions aimed at solving challenges faced by local companies and facilitating the social implementation of these solutions.

During the lecture session in Part 1, two presentations were given on technical approaches to resource recycling and the current state of regional collaboration.

Lecture 1: “Enzyme Development for Resource Recycling”
Speaker: Tomohiko Matsuzawa, Associate Professor, Kagawa University (Former Principal Researcher, Biological Processes Research Division, AIST)

Lecture 2: “Approaches to Collaboration with Local Communities; Information on GX and Bio-Related Companies in Niigata Prefecture”
Lecturer: Masahiko Uchiyama, Academia-Industry-Government Coordinator at NUT (Former Director of the Joetsu Center, Niigata Prefectural Industrial Technology Research Institute)

In Part 2, all participants introduced themselves in a microphone relay format, and a diverse group of young and mid-career professionals—spanning various organizations, research fields, and job roles—engaged in networking.
Afterward, to wrap up the study session, we took a tour of the GX Building, which served as the venue. As we toured the state-of-the-art experimental facilities and shared spaces, we began to develop ideas for future joint research and envision specific ways to collaborate.

This study session provided a meaningful opportunity for young researchers from NUT and AIST to meet and learn about each other’s initiatives, paving the way for future development. Building on the connections formed here, and using initiatives such as NAGAOKA・AIST-BIL as a starting point, NUT will continue to further strengthen collaboration to advance research and development and social implementation in the Niigata and Nagaoka regions.

Link:https://nagaoka-biocommunity.jp/nagaoka_aist_bil/

Issued by

Head Office for Research Strategy, Nagaoka University of Technology: Saito, Takei, Kuribayashi