Collaboration with the University of Osaka
Osaka-Düsseldorf Workshop focuses on nuclear medicine and beyond

The Osaka-Düsseldorf Workshop was launched in 2025 with the aim of expanding personal dialogue and collaboration in medical research between Düsseldorf and Osaka. This Workshop was held in Düsseldorf for the second time on 3 – 4 March. Alongside the Medical Faculty and in particular the Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Institute of Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at HHU was also involved this time.

A Japanese delegation headed by Professor Takashi Nakano (Director of the Research Center for Nuclear Physics at the University of Osaka) visited the state capital for the Workshop at the invitation of Professor Dr Frederik Giesel (Director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine) and Professor Dr Thomas Heinzel (Head of the Institute of Experimental Condensed Matter Physics). Yoshitaka Tsunoda, the Japanese Consul General in Düsseldorf, and Professor Dr Masahiko Hayashi, Director of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Bonn Office also participated.

The dialogue focused on current research projects from the fields of quantum science, radiochemistry, radiation oncology and nuclear medicine, with a key element being the development of interfaces between the core subjects in order to strengthen and intensify collaboration further in the coming years.

The programme included presentations given by young researchers from Düsseldorf and Japan from the broad spectrum of topics offered by physics, radiology and nuclear medicine.

The Workshop lays a new foundation for greater scientific collaboration between the locations across all medical disciplines. Regular exchange programmes involving students and medical staff have already been established between the two organisations. “International collaboration is an important pillar of science. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to expand our joint activities with the University of Osaka last year and are now aiming to build on this and work together even more closely with our colleagues from Osaka in the future,” emphasises Professor Dr Nikolaj Klöcker, Dean of the Medical Faculty. Professor Giesel adds: “In the area of nuclear medicine in particular, we have already established several joint research projects with the University of Osaka. Being able to discuss these projects and agree next steps in person represents an excellent opportunity for us.”