research center for advanced science and technology, the university of tokyo

The University of Tokyo is Japan's premier institution of higher education and research. The Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) is one of several research and graduate-level education institutes within the University of Tokyo. RCAST is the main research and teaching base for about 40 full and associate level professors in the University, along with junior faculty, graduate students and faculty on special or time-limited appointments. These researchers represent a range of science, engineering and medical disciplines, in addition to somewhat smaller numbers in economics, finance, intellectual property and other disciplines. This is in keeping with RCAST's mission to be a center for interdisciplinary research which is open to collaborations with industry and other organizations. Several of the special areas of research strength at RCAST include photovoltaics (solar energy), systems biology, and barrier free technologies to help persons with disabilities.