Interdisciplinary and cross-departmental collaborations among the COE program members based on novel ideas and concepts are promoted by hosting various events, such as research presentation meetings and advanced technology seminars, and by sharing interdisciplinary knowledge and methodologies at world’s highest standard in membrane biology. Various forms of research exchanges, such as research collaboration, exchanges of post-doctoral researchers and faculty members, invitation of recognized researchers as visiting professors, and joint international symposiums, are already being promoted with the University of Washington in Seattle with a history of graduate student exchanges, National Cheng-Kung University, a COE in Taiwan with a history of research exchanges, and other institutions abroad.