Research is underway on using diamonds inside sensors for measuring magnetic fields at the nanoscale. In Japan, a team lead by Professor Mutsuko Hatano at the Tokyo Institute of Technology has succeeded in developing a sensor. The key was to remove a single carbon atom from the crystal structure of the diamond. Find out more about the research and the story behind its development. In the latter part of the program, we'll introduce an innovative pen-type electronic pipette used for PCR testing for COVID-19.

Planet Earth is home to humans and various life forms, but where did our ancestors come from? How did we evolve? While different theories on the origin of life include space and the deep sea, we will focus on deep underground. Numerous microorganisms, that are thought to be close to the common ancestor of all living organisms, have continued to live deep underground for tens of thousands of years. Find out more about the mysterious primitive organisms. Later in the program, we'll introduce a piece of research on sea urchins that could help restore the coastal ecosystem. Discover how clovers are being used to turn malnourished sea urchins into high-quality delicacies.

Professor Takanori Takebe of Tokyo Medical and Dental University (Director of Commercial Innovation at Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Research and Medicine [CuSTOM], Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center) is leading the world in research on creating mini-livers from iPS cells. Research on organoids, mini-organs grown in test tubes, has made great advances in the past 10 years and the technology is already being applied to treat incurable diseases. Takebe has successfully created not only liver organoid, but an entire set of 4 connected organoids - the liver, bile duct, pancreas and duodenum. He is continuing to break new grounds with bold new ideas. This episode features Takebe's wide range of iPS cell research and his fresh ideas that transcend disciplinary boundaries.