National Academy of Sciences (NAS) elected Professor Shimon Sakaguchi of IFReC to the foreign associate of NAS. At present, IFReC has the three NAS members, Tadamitsu Kishimoto, Shizuo Akira, and Shimon Sakaguchi.

NAS is a private organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to the furtherance of science and its use for the general welfare. NAS consists of about 2300 American members and 400 foreign members. About 200 NAS members were awarded the Nobel Prize in the past.

On May 1, 2012, NAS elected new members and foreign associates in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Election to the NAS means one is recognized as one of the best researchers among scientists.

Prof. Sakaguchi has greatly contributed to the understanding of the molecular basis of the development and function of regulatory T cells (Treg) and their roles in controlling a variety of physiological and pathological immune responses, including autoimmune disease, transplantation tolerance, and tumor immunity.

As the Japanese immunologists, Prof. Sakaguchi follows to the list of Kimishige Ishizaka (1983), Tadamitsu Kishimoto (1991), Tasuku Honjo (2001), Tadatsugu Taniguchi (2003), and Shizuo Akira (2009).