Symposium of the "SeleCa" International Research Training Group
Collaboration between Osaka University and RWTH Aachen University
How can extremely complex molecular structures be atom-efficiently synthesized as chemical agents, and which of the so-called small molecules – such as hydrogen, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide – can in the future be used as energy-efficient chemical raw materials?
About 60 researchers from all over the world came together at a symposium hosted by SeLeCa to discuss questions such as these and others from the fields of glycotechnology, metabolomics, and catalysis. SeLeCa is an International Research Training Group jointly established by RWTH Aachen University, Germany, and Osaka University, Japan, in 2010. Spokesperson for the group is Professor Jun Okuda from the RWTH Institute of Inorganic Chemistry.
The graduate research training group develops novel chemical and biological methods for the selective synthesis of complex functionalized molecules. The group’s interdisciplinary approach combines chemical and biological catalysis and biotechnology.
In his opening remarks, the dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences, Professor Stefan Schael, emphasized the importance of intensive international collaboration in the natural sciences for achieving scientific progress.
Lectures and poster presentations provided the attendees with ample opportunity to discuss recent developments and results of the research training group. Conference speakers included Professor Douglas Stephan, University of Toronto; Professor Lawrence Sita, PhD, University of Maryland; Professor Laura Hartmann, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf; and Professor Kai Hultzsch, University of Vienna. Yuta Miyazaki from Osaka University was awarded the Best Doctoral Paper award; Meria Ronge from RWTH Aachen University received the Best Poster award.
The next joint symposium is scheduled to take place in Osaka in March 2018.