RIKEN THE INSTITUTE OF PHYSICAL ANDCHEMICAL RESEARCH

Their core work

RIKEN is Japan's largest and most prestigious comprehensive research institute, covering physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and medical science. Within H2020, RIKEN contributes specialized expertise in computational modelling, nonlinear dynamics, and molecular-level simulations — typically as a third-party partner providing theoretical and computational capabilities that European consortia cannot easily source domestically. Their contributions span from developmental genomics and antimatter physics to turbulence modelling and cardiac biomechanics, reflecting the institute's extraordinary disciplinary breadth.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

RIKEN's early H2020 involvement (2015-2018) centred on developmental biology and genomics — zebrafish embryology, chromatin regulation, and non-coding RNA — alongside fundamental antimatter physics. From 2019 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward applied computational physics: turbulence modelling, molecular dynamics for drug resistance, and cardiac biomechanics. This evolution reflects a move from pure fundamental science toward computationally intensive problems with clearer translational potential.

RIKEN is increasingly positioning its computational simulation capabilities toward biomedical and fluid dynamics applications with real-world impact, making them a strong partner for projects requiring advanced theoretical modelling.

How they like to work

RIKEN has never coordinated an H2020 project — they participate exclusively as a third-party or partner, which is typical for non-EU institutions contributing specialized expertise. With 72 unique partners across 23 countries in just 6 projects, they operate within large, internationally diverse consortia. Their role is consistently that of a specialist contributor providing computational and theoretical depth that complements European experimental groups.

Despite only 6 projects, RIKEN has connected with 72 unique partners across 23 countries, reflecting their involvement in large MSCA networks. Their reach is genuinely global, bridging Japanese computational expertise with broad European research communities.

What sets them apart

RIKEN is one of the few non-European research powerhouses consistently embedded in H2020 MSCA networks, bringing world-class computational infrastructure and theoretical physics capabilities that are difficult to replicate within the EU. Their disciplinary range — from genomics to turbulence to cardiac mechanics — means they can contribute advanced simulation expertise to almost any quantitative research challenge. For consortium builders, RIKEN offers credibility, computational resources, and a proven track record of international mobility-based collaboration.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ATM2BT
  Bridges atomistic modelling to bulk turbulence — an unusually ambitious multi-scale approach connecting molecular and macroscopic fluid dynamics.
• AMR-TB
  Applies computational molecular dynamics to a critical global health problem (tuberculosis drug resistance), showing RIKEN's translational potential.
• Heart Fi-Re
  Their most recent project (2021), combining cardiac mechanics theory with experimental validation — signals a new direction into biomedical simulation.