• Research Divisions
• Division of Nuclear Engineering Science
• Industry-Academia Collaboration Laboratory for New Research Reactor
• Division of Quantum Beam Material Science
• Division of Radiation Life Science
• Research Center for Safe Nuclear System
• Particle Radiation Oncology Research Center
• Particle Radiation Oncology
• Particle Radiation Medical Physics
• Projective Research on Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science
• Frontier Research Project on Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science

Particle Radiation Oncology

Professor

• SUZUKI, Minoru e-mail: suzuki.minoru.3x<atmark>kyoto-u.ac.jp

Assistant Professors

• KONDO, Natsuko e-mail: kondo.natsuko.3x<atmark>kyoto-u.ac.jp
• SATO, Genki e-mail: sato.genki.6c<atmark>kyoto-u.ac.jp

* replace <atmark> with ＠

This research field has focused on boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) as a core research theme but following the end of operation of the research reactor (KUR) in April 2026, the laboratory’s mission has been changed to the following.
“Cross-disciplinary fusion and bridging research aiming for novel cancer treatment development using quantum beams”

The research policy in this field is for faculty members to independently devise innovative research themes aligned with new missions using various quantum beams available at the institute, work as Principal Investigators (PIs), and develop new quantum beam cancer therapies.　Below is an explanation of the underlined part of the mission.

Quantum Rays: At our Institute, neutron beams, electron beams, X-rays, and radiation emitted from radioisotopes (RI) can be used. (Facilities & Equipment | Kyoto University Institute of Advanced Nuclear Science)

Cancer Treatment: This research field began with the establishment of the ‘Medical Basic Research Facility’ established at the institute, with the aim of implementing BNCT as a medical treatment at this institute. BNCT was introduced not within the institute but at medical institutions (see figure below), but the initial goal at the start of this field—developing novel cancer treatments—will be carried over to a new mission.

Interdisciplinary Fusion: Interdisciplinary research has recently been highly valued for accelerating the resolution of increasingly complex research issues demanded by society, as well as for the creation of new knowledge and innovation in methodologies. The BNCT research was socially implemented by installing BNCT accelerator irradiation devices in medical institutions using neutron beams from the KUR of our Institute, making it a successful example of interdisciplinary fusion research. As a new mission, researchers in fields such as radiation oncology, immunology, drug discovery science, chemical biology, nanomedicine, and veterinary medicine aim to develop new quantum beam cancer treatments using quantum beams available at the interdisciplinary laboratory.

Bridging Research: Using various quantum beams from our institute, we conduct fundamental research on the development of new quantum beam cancer therapies to deliver the novel therapies to cancer patients who have lost effective treatment proposals. This is the new mission of this research field.

Status of BNCT Introduction in Medical Institutions as of August 2026