Dr. Tonegawa to Director the Research Collaboration with MIT For the last two years, RIKEN BSI and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the U.S. have been carrying out collaborative research based on the R & D programs of both institutes in the highly prominent field of brain science. In parallel with these activities, a number of joint symposia and conferences have also been held. As a result of the success of this cooperative work, a basic agreement was reached last fall and the "RIKEN-MIT Neuroscience Research Center" was established on the MIT campus in an effort to intensify and consolidate brain science research. Dr. Susumu Tonegawa Both institutes had the opportunity to discuss the actual implementation process and further development of the research collaboration project when the President of MIT, Dr. C. M. Vest, visited RIKEN on January 18. The Center opened with Dr. Susumu Tonegawa as the Director, a role which is equal to that of a Group Director at BSI. He will retain his position as professor at MIT, as will the three Principal Investigators, Dr. Guo-song Liu, Dr. Earl Miller and Dr. Matthew Wilson. RIKEN intends to send a prominent research scientist from Japan, who will also be able to serve as MIT professor and thus contribute to the enhancement of the research system. Visit by President C. M. Vest(2nd person from the left on the rear) There are many other activities planned as part of this agreement, including proposals to exchange research staff between RIKEN and MIT and to hold joint seminars and meetings. This initial agreement is planned to continue for five years, but it may be extended subject to the mutual agreement of both parties, depending on the success of the project.