Osaka University Metabolomics Student Award

Osaka University Metabolomics Student Award

Department of Biotechnology, Osaka University is pleased to announce The Osaka University Metabolomics Student Award 2016 for the following research areas:

- Food Science and Technology

- Basic Biology

- Industrial Biotechnology (including biofuel production)

- Clinical research

- Agriculture

- Other research areas with relevance to metabolomics application

Closing date for proposal submissions: July 18th, 2016, 24.00 WIB

ABOUT OSAKA UNIVERSITY METABOLOMICS AWARD

Metabolomics, the global quantitative assessment of metabolites in a biological system, has played a pivotal role in various fields of science in the post-genomic era. Metabolites are the result of the interaction of the system’s genome with its environment and are not merely the end product of gene expression, but also form part of the regulatory system in an integrated manner. It is a powerful approach that allows researchers to examine variation in total metabolite profiles, and is capable of detecting complex biological changes using statistical multivariate pattern recognition methods (chemometrics). It is a data driven and multidisciplinary approach combining analytical chemistry for data acquisition, and biostatistics, informatics and biochemistry for mining and interpretation of these data. The power of metabolomics lies on the acquisition of analytical data in which metabolites in a cellular system are quantified, and the extraction of the most meaningful elements of the data by using various data analysis tool. Fukusaki Laboratory in Osaka University is one of the leading research laboratories for metabolomics research. Fukusaki Laboratory is equipped with state of the art analytical instruments including 15 mass spectrometers, 1 imaging mass spectrometry and 1 NMR. Successful applicants will receive research grants in form of metabolomics analysis using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry or mass imaging IMScope based on their proposed research topics and sample of choice. Twenty finalists for the student award will be invited to attend the workshop in the Hotel Fairmont Jakarta on 10 August 2016 and all finalists will be given a certificate of participation. Finalists should cover their own travel expense to attend the workshop in Jakarta. Winners will be announced at the workshop.

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE

The call aims to promote application of metabolomics research in Indonesia. The award scheme is designed to reward and encourage students to write a scientific research proposal for application of metabolomics research in key areas of life sciences.

STUDENT AWARDS

- 2 Research Grant for conducting a comprehensive, high-quality and accurate metabolomics research using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)

- 1 Research Grant for conducting research using a highly advanced Mass Imaging IMScope

- Award certificates from Osaka University

APPLICATION PROCESS

- Call open – July 1st, 2016

- Closing date for proposals – July 18th, 2016 (Any applications received after this deadline will not be considered for funding)

- Decision of finalists – August 1st, 2016

- Decision of winners – August 10th, 2016 during the workshop

- Grants commence – October 2016-September 2017

ELIGIBILITY

1. Is registered as a student in an Indonesian university

2. GPA > 3.0

3. Must have a written consent and approval from academic supervisor

4. Possess a strong motivation to pursue higher education

REQUIREMENTS

1. Student ID or certificate proving applicant's student status

2. A copy of the latest academic transcript

3. A signed written consent and approval from academic supervisor (print the template provided (link), sign, and send the scanned form)

4. Research proposal describing new ideas on the application of metabolomics in life sciences (maximum 2 pages, please see proposal guidelines)

5. A signed letter of statement (print the template provided (link), sign and send the scanned form)

6. A motivation letter to describe applicant's motivation to pursue higher education and research (250 words)

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Proposal guidelines:

1. Proposal should be written in English (maximum of 2 pages)

2. The proposal should include a brief but clear description on the proposed project. The proposal should describe the overall research plan, including methodology, significance of research, novelty and potential impact of the proposed research.

3. The proposal should be well-planned (describing an overview of the research framework and timeline), demonstrates innovation, imagination, justification and relevance

4. The proposal should include a figure called “Proposal Highlights” that describes the overview of research. A clear and informative figure is very important to describe the proposed research.

5. All documents should be submitted by email to Dr. Sastia Putri (sastia_putri@bio.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp) no later than 18 July 2016.

6. Proposals will be reviewed based on originality, impact, clarity and quality of writing and the proposal highlights.

JURY PANELS

1. Prof. Eiichiro Fukusaki, Osaka University

2. Dr. Shuichi Shimma, Osaka University

3. Dr. Sastia Prama Putri, Osaka University

4. Dr. Fenny Dwivany, Institut Teknologi Bandung

5. Dr. Instiaty SpFK, Universitas Indonesia

6. Prof. Irfan Dwidya Prijambada, Universitas Gadjah Mada

7. Dr. Mohammad Rafi, Institut Pertanian Bogor

Contacts

If you have any questions or would like further information about the call, please contact:

Dr. Sastia Putri (sastia_putri@bio.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp), cc to metabolomics-shimadzu@sith.itb.ac.id