For strengthening Okinawa-wide utilization of research resources (people, materials, and expertise) and research infrastructure (technology, equipment, and facilities)

On March 27, 2026, a networking event attended by representatives from participating organizations of the “Okinawa Open Facility Network (OoPNet)” was held at OIST Land neXus, a new Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Facility of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). OoPNet was established in 2019 under the leadership of the University of the Ryukyus to strengthen the technologies, equipment, and facilities necessary for research and development, and to enhance research capabilities and technical expertise. This is achieved through collaboration among institutions within Okinawa Prefecture and the mutual utilization of personnel, hardware, and intellectual resources (people, equipment, and expertise) to support research and educational activities.

This exchange event was organized by the OIST Core Facilities as part of OIST’s efforts to develop research support personnel and strengthen research infrastructure within the J-PEAKS project.

Participants included the Okinawa Churaumi Foundation Comprehensive Research Center, the Okinawa Prefectural Industrial Technology Center, the Okinawa Health Biotechnology Research and Development Center, the Okinawa Life Science Research Center, the University of Okinawa, the National Institute of Technology (KOSEN)　Okinawa College, the University of the Ryukyus, and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.

During the morning session, representatives presented on their respective research infrastructure, support staff, and activities, deepening mutual understanding among the participating institutions.

At lunchtime, participants enjoyed a lively exchange of ideas over lunch at the OIST cafeteria.

In the afternoon, a tour of OIST’s core facilities was conducted, during which participants were briefed on state-of-the-art shared research equipment and technical support systems, including cryo-electron microscopes, sequencers, the mass spectrometry lab, the fluorescence microscopy lab, etc.

After the facility tour, participants returned to OIST Land neXus, where they gathered in front of posters introducing each institution’s research infrastructure and activities. With coffee in hand, they engaged in Q&A sessions and discussion on potential future collaborative activities. Constructive suggestions were exchanged, such as holding informational sessions led by manufacturers—open to representatives from other institutions—to explain the technology, application fields, and usage methods of newly introduced equipment at a particular institution, thereby promoting cross-institutional shared use.

It was also announced that proposals for reforming the operational structure would be submitted early in the new fiscal year to further revitalize OoPNet. Participants expressed strong expectations that strengthened collaboration would contribute to the realization of an industry-academia-government innovation ecosystem in Okinawa.