International marine researchers from across the globe will be participating next week in a Marine Bioresources Mission to Japan (Monday, January 28 – Friday, 1 February).
Six scientists from the across the UK, led by Professor Marcel Jaspars, Director, Marine Biodiscovery Centre, are heading to Tokyo for the week-long event.
The University is participating in the trade mission which has been organised by the British Embassy in Tokyo.
The main objective of the visit is to promote long-term, new collaborations between Japan and the UK.
Aside from showcasing the UK's strength, the event will allow the Embassy to show the UK visitors what's going on in Japan with an eye to produce new collaboration on an academic and business basis from visits and seminar/receptions which will take place throughout the week.
The team will meet with universities and organisations from across Japan involved in the marine and biosciences sector.
Professor Jaspars said: "The UK is perceived to be better at the application of original research ideas, while Japan is seen to be strong on dedicated basic research. I believe both the UK and Japanese researchers will find plenty of things to learn from each other.
"We hope to establish some very productive and valuable links with a number of universities and companies based in Japan. We will also be engaging in discussions on how best we can initiate new collaborations between Japan and the UK.
"We look forward to continuing to develop mutually beneficial, long term relationships to facilitate the application of skills from Scotland, and Aberdeen in particular, to solve problems for the benefit of both our nations."
Professor Jaspars is presenting at the Marine Bioresources Seminar being held on Wednesday, January 30 on Sponge Natural Products as Molecular Delivery Agents.
The Marine Bioresources Mission has been funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Natural Environment Research Council.