To Provide an Environment Where Researchers Can Focus on “True Research”
At the Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, we are promoting the development of a research environment through the integrated approach of people, AI/DX, and systems, with the aim of enabling researchers who are engaged in clinical practice, education, and research to produce high-level research outcomes even within limited time. The true goal of this initiative is to create greater research achievements by securing and providing each researcher with the time where they can sorely focus on “research.”
Why Is Improving the Research Environment Necessary?
In recent years, many researchers have found it increasingly difficult to allocate enough time for research due to the growing sophistication of clinical practice, increasing educational responsibilities, and the expanding burden of preparing applications required and handling administrative tasks. As concerns over the decline of Japan’s overall medical research capacity is growing, balancing research and clinical duties is particularly challenging in Hokkaido, a region which covers a vast medical service area. Reforming the research environment has therefore become an urgent issue.
This project, which has been selected for the AMED Medical Research Support Program starting in FY2025, is based on the belief that reducing these burdens to increase “true research time,” while simultaneously improving research quality through different forms of support, is the most effective path to strengthening research capacity. Thus, we have established the Division of AI Support for Medical Research and are actively providing support services. From the outset, we have pursued these activities with sustainability in mind, ensuring that the system can continue even after the AMED funding period ends.
Pillers of Support Available to Researchers
1．Human Resources Based Support
We assign personnel who directly and indirectly support research activities, thereby reducing the peripheral workload of researchers
- Research data analysis support, including AI-based analysis of images/videos, free texts in electronic medical records, single-cell RNA sequencing data, etc., with particular emphasis on data-driven research and reverse translational research
- Creation of training datasets and annotation support which are essential for AI research
- Manuscript preparation support, including literature searches, figure and table creation, assistance with English writing
- Support for document preparation such as presentation slides and grant application
- Practical training and educational support by TAs/RAs
Through these supports, researchers can focus on developing research concepts and plans, determining analytical strategies, and engaging in the core scientific discussions required for research paper publications.
These supports are not intended as temporary substitutes. Rather, they aim to enable researchers themselves to effectively use AI and data analysis tools, contributing to the development of next-generation research leaders.
2．AI/DX-Based Support
We fully utilize AI as an auxiliary tool that accelerates researchers’ thinking, helping those overwhelmed by daily tasks to concentrate on the core scientific questions they should be addressing. To achieve this, workstations equipped with high-performance GPUs are connected to the internal network, enabling large language models (LLMs) to operate in a secure environment that minimizes the risk of information leakage. This allows for AI-based analysis of medical information to broadly support both clinical practice and research.
- Support for database input (e.g., NCD, J-OSLER)
- Surgical video editing and analysis support
- Assistance with creating medical history summaries and surgery records
- Support for extracting cases that meet specific criteria In addition, by using local and cloud-based LLMs, we provide:
- Support for informed consent using avatars and AI-generated materials
- Research and clinical summary generation support
- Lecture and conference slide preparation support
- Translation of lecture materials into English or Japanese (subtitles and audio)
- Development of AI tools to support students’ independent learning
Researchers and engineers with AI expertise within the Division of AI Support for Medical Research not only assist in developing customized AI tools tailored to individual researchers’ needs but also help train at least one AI-proficient individual in each department.
3．Institutional and System-Based Support
We are also establishing institutional foundations to support research on a continuous basis.
- Establishment of the Division of AI Support for Medical Research, which is located within the Collaborative Research Center “Furate”
- Introduction of dedicated research time
- Reduction of travel time through telemedicine and DX
- Establishment of “Science Cafés” to promote interdisciplinary networking
- Support for international networking and international collaborative research
These initiatives enhance researcher mobility and willingness to take on challenges, fostering the creation of interdisciplinary research. We will continuously monitor changes in research time and outcomes to evaluate effectiveness and make improvements where necessary.
The Research Environment We Aim to Create
- An environment where researchers can engage with scientific questions, not merely with busyness.
- A research hub where free thinking is encouraged, interdisciplinary interaction flourishes, and findings are communicated to the world.
The Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, will continue to evolve its research environment together with researchers to make a foundation of state-of-the-art medical research of next generations.
The research environment model established here is intended not only for the medical field but also as an advanced model applicable to other disciplines and universities, contributing to the strengthening of Japan’s overall research capacity.