What is CERN? What do they do? Is it the model for SERN in Steins;Gate? What is its true nature?
【この記事にはPRを含む場合があります】
The European Organization for Nuclear Research, “CERN” (pronounced “Serun” in Japanese), is located on the outskirts of Geneva, Switzerland. It is the world’s largest particle physics research facility, a cutting-edge institute that aims to unravel the “beginning of the universe” and the “formation of matter”.
Recently, in May 2025, a team at CERN announced that they succeeded in “converting lead into gold” using the “Large Hadron Collider (LHC)”, which became a hot topic. Also, upon hearing “CERN“, some people might think of “the organization that created a time machine?” which appears in the popular game and anime “Steins;Gate“.
This time, we will explain what kind of research institute CERN is, which gained attention for its success in alchemy, and its relationship with Steins;Gate.
What is CERN?
“CERN” is an abbreviation for the “European Organization for Nuclear Research” and is the “world’s largest particle physics research facility” located near the border between Switzerland and France. It is pronounced “Serun” in Japanese and French, and “Saan” in English.
While the exact number of people present at the research facility cannot be determined because university professors and doctoral students from around the world visit, it is a large-scale research facility with an annual budget of approximately 100 billion yen, about 2,500 staff members, and approximately 10,000 users from 71 countries worldwide.
What kind of research facility is CERN?
The European Organization for Nuclear Research, “CERN“, is an international research facility dedicated to unraveling the “formation of the universe” and the “fundamental mechanisms of matter”. Among its activities, research in “particle physics” is progressing, which involves using tiny particles to explore the “smallest units of matter” and the “origin of the universe“.
A portal to the beginning of everything. ⚛️ #CERN pic.twitter.com/lsEhSzb2Md
— Pepsi Twist In My Sobriety (@ananives) July 2, 2025
At CERN, they are gradually trying to uncover the “invisible secrets of the universe” through experiments.
Research on the Matter Phase Immediately After the Big Bang
The European Organization for Nuclear Research, “CERN“, also conducts research to clarify what kind of matter existed in the universe immediately after the “Big Bang“, the great explosion that caused the universe’s creation. In particular, experiments reproducing a very high-temperature and high-density state, known as “quark-gluon plasma“, are gaining attention.
クォークはプラズマの内部です。ポータルの使用を可能にするもの。クォークは色です。通常のクォークもあれば、アンチクォークもある。それらが進化して衝突し「アンドロンガス」となる。テーブルを覚えていますか？プラズマからハドロンガスへ。
クォーク・グルーオン・プラズマもあります(ポータル) pic.twitter.com/NG1FzH5u0i— Kenshin_Zero(Rei)零🐉❤️🔥🔥 (@zero_kenshin) September 30, 2023
At CERN, “large accelerators” are used to “collide particles smaller than atoms at high speeds,” artificially creating an environment similar to that immediately after the universe’s birth, allowing reactions to be observed. It is said that through the research conducted by CERN, the truth about how matter changed and how the current universe came to be may soon be revealed.
CERNが開発したというBig Bang ARをやったら部屋でビッグバンが起きた pic.twitter.com/qSZS8g6mEW
— virt (@HikariInazuma) March 13, 2019
Relationship with SERN (CERN) appearing in “Steins;Gate”
In the popular SF game and anime “Steins;Gate“, which has “interference with the past” as its theme, a fictional organization called “SERN” (pronounced “Serun” in Japanese) appears, which is based on “CERN“. In the story, “SERN” is depicted as an entity that succeeds in developing a time machine and attempts to “dominate the world from the shadows,” which might have made some people worry that CERN in Switzerland also has some hidden agenda. However, in “Steins;Gate” (or “Steins;Gate”), while the pronunciation is the same “Serun,” it is written as “SERN,” differing from the real “CERN” by “C” and “S”. The “SERN” that appears in Steins;Gate is an “evil organization” that succeeded in developing a time machine and attempts to dominate the world from the shadows, but “CERN” in Switzerland is a “research institute” operated by the European Union. Be assured that “SERN” in Steins;Gate is a separate and unrelated entity.
CERN is open to the public for visits!
In this way, CERN, where talented scientists from around the world gather to research the “beginning of the universe” and the “formation of matter,” might seem unapproachable. However, in reality, there are “visitable zones” and “guided tours” available every day from Monday to Saturday, so even the general public can enter. Many positive reviews have been received from people who actually visited, saying things like, “I was thrilled to experience the cutting-edge technology!” and “I was able to experience the world of Steins;Gate and Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons,” indicating they were glad they went. Whether you are interested in “particle physics” or just want to stop by during your Switzerland trip, why not pay a visit?
＞ Click here for the official TripAdvisor “CERN Science Gateway” introduction page
