Congratulatory Address

　I extend my sincere congratulations to the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine on this distinguished occasion of their 125th anniversary. I wish to express my deep respect for your longstanding contributions to the development of medical research and medicine and for producing many outstanding physicians and researchers. We are proud of the fact that you have pioneered many new areas of medical science, including the cancer immunology research of Special Professor Tasuku Honjo.

　At the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), we have had the privilege of welcoming many graduate students through the cooperative courses offered by the Graduate School of Medicine and have provided medical students with research experience through the My Course Program. New ideas from young people are extremely important for creating innovative research. We will continue to contribute to the development of young researchers who will lead the future of medical research. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Kyoto University Hospital for conducting many of the clinical studies and trials based on our research results.

　We believe that many excellent researchers and students will continue to gather at the Graduate School of Medicine and the School of Medicine, and they will contribute to the advancement of medicine and life sciences and the improvement of human health and welfare. We will continue our efforts toward the medical application of iPS cells, working in close collaboration with you. I extend my best wishes for the continued success and growth of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine.

Shinya Yamanaka
Director Emeritus and Professor,
Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University