RIKEN BSI News No. 2 (Dec. 1998) - RIKEN Brain Science Institute (RIKEN BSI)



	Why a Retreat ?
	Science is the art of asking the right questions. Together, we recently explored the questions being asked at the Brain Science Institute. For three days at the end of October, everyone left behind the daily ritual of experimentation in the laboratory and gathered in the woods near Mt. Fuji. This period of withdrawal from mundane activities for collective meditation captured the true essence of the word "Retreat". Such private symposia are commonplace at universities and research institutes throughout the United States and Europe. They offer a valuable opportunity to discuss ongoing projects informally with friends and neighbors. It is easy to neglect the rich intellectual resources around us when we are caught up in the bustle of lab life. Feedback from respected colleagues provides the fresh perspective, constructive criticism, and unexpected collaborations that ultimately bring budding new ideas to fruition. The secret of scientific success at the world's top research institutions lies in these invisible interactions.
	Poster Session at BSI Retreat	The 1998 BSI Retreat was the first of its kind in Japan. Some may think it too early to hold such a meeting during our innaugural year. Yet, the interplay at Lake Kawaguchi clearly showed that we already have much to learn from our rapidly growing family of talented colleagues. Only time will tell if we are asking the right scientific questions as individuals. Our unique collective spirit to understand, protect, and create the brain as an Institute is, however, already taking shape.

	The Brain Science Exchange Forum Aims to Interact with Industry
	Considering the large social impact that may be exerted by research into brain science, interaction with private firms is essential. The means of such a collaboration will include the exchange of human resources and information, joint research as well as technology transfer and they are very important supporting influences for smooth and effective advancement of neuroscience.
	Labo. visit in the Brain Science Exchange Forum	To make this possible, the BSI and the Brain Science and Life Technology Research Foundation have co-hosted the 1st Brain Science Exchange Forum which was held on November 20, 1998 with 40 participants from 30 companies in pharmaceutical, chemical, telecommunication, electronics and automobile industries. This forum spent the entire day dealing with the introduction of research strategies and programs, visits to research sites and discussions, finishing with an evening social event.
	In the future, the BSI will actively support similar programs in order to promote interaction with industry.

	Laboratory for Neurobiology of Synapse Started
	On September 1, the Laboratory for Neurobiology of Synapse opened, as part of the Neuronal Function Research Group. Dr. Yoshihiro Yoshihara, from Osaka Medical College was invited to be the Laboratory Head. By employing a new technique for visualizing multi-synaptic neural pathways with WGA transgene, the Laboratory for Neurobiology of Synapse aims to elucidate new concepts and rules of the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the formation, maintenance, and plasticity of the functional neuronal networks in the brain.

	BSI 1999 SUMMER COURSES
	The BSI is offering an international summer program for predocs and postdocs keenly interested in molecular, cellular, systems, or computational neuroscience. Applicants may choose either a laboratory internship for up to two months with one of the 23 teams at BSI, or participation in an intensive two-week lecture course featuring a distinguished international faculty. Summer Internship (Plan A): July-September,1999 Lecture Course (Plan B): July 25-August 7, 1999 Application Forms: visit our web site (http://www.brain.riken.go.jp/braincenter/index.html).

	The 2nd BAC and Research Review Committee Meeting
	The Brain Science Advisory Council (BAC) composed of international brain science specialists from outside the Institute meets every year to evaluate the administration, research programs and the results achieved by the BSI to date and to advise on future direction and improvements.The 2nd BAC meeting is scheduled to be held from March 17 to 19,1999. In addition, nine specialists from inside as well as outside Japan, who sit on the Research Review Committee will meet for three days from February 24, 1999, and will critically evaluate the research processes and results of the three laboratories in the Brain Style Information Systems Research Group (Group Director, Dr. Shun-ichi Amari) in the field of "Creating the Brain".