News

The Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (ToMMo) has officially opened the doors at its new premises in a ceremony on the Seiryo Campus, at Tohoku University Hospital in Sendai City. The six story facility houses one of the largest biobanks Japan, as well as research facilities for university-industry related collaborations, and a wing of the medical school. It is equipped with the latest technology for genome research, including large scale data processors -- known as super computers -- and sequencers for analyzing human genomes.

The new ToMMo premises

Tohoku University graduate and Mayor of Sendai City, Ms. Emiko Okuyama was present for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Guests were taken on a tour of the brand new facilities and shown state of the art medical equipment, such as the latest MRI scanner to be used in health studies for local residents.

Sendai City Mayor Emiko Okuyama pictured far right

ToMMo was originally initiated to support the revitalization of medical services in areas affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The organization provides long term personalized health studies for residents in affected coastal regions; with a view to using the results of genome analysis in preventative medicine. There are currently seven local support centers throughout Miyagi prefecture. The Sendai branch has moved to the new ToMMo building, and will operate from this central location.

ToMMo Executive Director Dr. Masayuki Yamamoto and MEXT Vice Minister Dr. Tsutomu Tomioka