DATE2025.12.17 #Awards & Prizes

Professor Osamu Nureki of the Department of Biological Sciences Selected for Highly Cited Researchers 2025

Professor Osamu Nureki

Professor Osamu Nureki of the Department of Biological Sciences has been selected as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate.

This prestigious recognition is awarded to researchers whose publications rank in the top 0.1% worldwide by citation count, highlighting scientists who have had a profound and broad influence on their fields and who are driving global research forward.

Over many years, Professor Nureki has made outstanding contributions to the field of structural biology by elucidating the structures and mechanisms of protein and protein–nucleic acid complexes that underpin fundamental biological processes. His research integrates a wide range of advanced techniques, including X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations, combined with extensive interdisciplinary collaborations. Through this multifaceted approach, he has successfully determined numerous challenging structures of diverse proteins, ranging from membrane proteins such as channels, transporters, and receptors, to proteins involved in nucleic acid modification and cleavage, thereby uncovering their molecular bases.

These achievements have not only provided new perspectives in basic science but have also generated significant impact on applied research, including drug discovery and the development of therapeutic strategies for disease. In addition, Professor Nureki has been actively engaged in translating fundamental research into societal applications. He has played a key role in bridging academia and industry, for example by founding start-up companies based on genome editing and structural analysis technologies.

This honor recognizes Professor Nureki’s sustained international contributions and his pioneering leadership in research. We sincerely look forward to his continued success and future achievements.

Clarivate Announces Highly Cited Researchers 2025 List

(Written by Professor Hideaki Kato, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology)