Continually making new attempts at research, with the goal of applying my specialty in mathematical science to produce results which will be useful to society.
Science Research
Yosuke Misonou
Digitization of flavor design
Researching the “digitization of flavor” and developing simulators for product design.
I entered the JT Group in 2018, and am presently involved in basic science research on the taste and flavor of tobacco products through the application of data science.
The JT R&D Group has accumulated a diverse range of data on taste and flavor over many years. We are now applying data science to merge this data and explain phenomena from new perspectives. We will make dramatic advances in the use of information to contribute to product development. I am currently engaged in attempting research on the “digitization of flavor.” There are several hundred types of cells known as “olfactory receptors” deep within the human nose that function as sensors to detect smells, and the patterns of those smells are determined by the extent to which electrical signals are transmitted or not transmitted. We are aiming to convert those flavor patterns into numerical data, and are researching algorithms which would allow them to be freely compared to each other for application in product design.
Diverse workforces bring various specialized skills which can produce the seeds of innovation.
I worked on measures for the “digitization of flavor” through collaboration with research and development personnel who have specialties in biology, and since this is a field highly different from my own specialty of mathematical science, we at first struggled to achieve mutual understanding. We deepened our understanding by teaching each other about our specialty fields and holding many discussions without giving up, and were able to produce results that could not have been conceived by either field on its own.
My team includes research and development personnel with many different backgrounds, so I believe that bringing forth diverse knowledge and expertise is our strength. It is not an easy task for personnel with widely-differing specialties such as neuroscience and psychology to collaborate together. It requires the determination to create a common language between us and open up new fields of study. I believe that the mission placed on this division is to overcome such difficulties and continue to produce the seeds of new innovation.
New attempts in a new workplace!
Continuing to develop technology which is useful to society.
I was a postdoctoral researcher at a university in my previous job. My specialty was theoretical astrophysics, and I was involved in research on subjects such as black holes. When I gave a research presentation at a company networking event held at my university, someone from the JT Group commented to me, “Your research is very interesting.” I felt that the JT Group had the intention and will to move forward with research using topics such as mathematics and artificial intelligence, so I decided to change careers with the desire to make “new attempts in a new workplace” and entered this company.
I believe that our work will lead to the creation of valuable technology and contribute to product development several years into the future, to lay the foundation for ensuring our future competitive power. I am happy to see our results reflected in products which can give joy to consumers and be of use to society, so I intend to continue undertaking new attempts in my work from here on.