University of Tokyo dismisses disgraced Moriguchi

The University of Tokyo announced Friday it has dismissed Hisashi Moriguchi, a researcher who falsely claimed to have successfully transplanted cardiac muscle cells made from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into human bodies.

Moriguchi, 48, worked as a specially appointed researcher at the university hospital. The university said he was subject to punitive dismissal effective the same day. The University of Tokyo Hospital questioned Moriguchi in an investigative hearing, during which he admitted five of six transplants he claimed to have conducted were false, the university said. As a result, it concluded his claims had seriously damaged the university's honor and credibility.

Fumio Isoda, executive vice president of the university in charge of personnel and labor affairs, issued a statement saying, "[Moriguchi's] actions were unacceptable for a faculty member of this university, and we took strict measures." The university hospital launched an investigative team comprising five faculty members. The team conducted hearings on Moriguchi beginning on Monday after he returned from the United States.

Moriguchi was hired in 2010 as a researcher for a project headed by Makoto Mihara, research associate of the university hospital, under the Cabinet Office's Funding Program for Next Generation World-Leading Researchers. Moriguchi reportedly was entrusted with such tasks as developing cryopreservation technology for cells. The investigation team will continue looking into Moriguchi's research activities and other related matters, according to the university.

Govt to check projects

In connection with Moriguchi's false claims, the government will investigate whether about 360 research projects administered by the Cabinet Office have been properly conducted, said Seiji Maehara, state minister for science and technology policy, at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting Friday.

Investigations will cover 30 projects under the Funding Program for World-Leading Innovative R&D on Science and Technology, which supports the nation's leading researchers, and 329 projects under the Funding Program for Next Generation World-Leading Researchers, which is aimed at nurturing young or female researchers. The Cabinet Office has found that Moriguchi was involved in one project of the latter, and received about 9.67 million yen in employee expenses.

Yomiuri Japan

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