坂口志文获诺奖：免疫学是日本的“家传技艺”，人才辈出

Core Viewpoint - Japan has produced three Nobel Prize winners in the field of immunology, highlighting its strong research capabilities despite recent declines in global rankings [12]. Group 1: Key Contributions of Japanese Researchers - Shimon Sakaguchi, the latest Nobel laureate, discovered that removing specific immune cells can activate immune responses, leading to autoimmune diseases [3][5]. - The research on regulatory T cells by Sakaguchi has significant implications for cancer treatment, with Rakuten Medical initiating clinical trials for a new cancer therapy targeting these cells [5]. - The emergence of gene manipulation technologies in the 1970s spurred global interest in immunology, with Japanese researchers making notable contributions [7]. Group 2: Historical Context and Influential Figures - Notable figures in Japanese immunology include Shohei Hayashi, who made groundbreaking discoveries in oxygenase and was considered a strong candidate for the Nobel Prize [9]. - Tadao Takahashi and Tadamitsu Kishimoto are other key scholars who have significantly advanced the field, with Kishimoto's work leading to the development of blockbuster drugs like Actemra [10][11]. - The legacy of these researchers has fostered a robust environment for immunology in Japan, with many students and successors continuing their impactful work [9][10]. Group 3: Current Challenges and Future Directions - Despite its historical strengths, Japan's scientific competitiveness is declining, necessitating policies to nurture talent and translate research into innovation [12][13].