  |
 |
 |
The Laboratory for Neurode-generation Signal Started |
|
On September 1, the Laboratory for Neurodegeneration Signal started as the fourth laboratory of the Molecular Neuropathology Group, with Dr. Takashi Okamoto as the Head of the Laboratory.
Based on the assumption that apolipoprotein E4 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, this laboratory will pursue research in adherence to the concept that lipid metabolism abnormality causes a metabolic abnormaling in b-amyloid, which may in turn expedite Alzheimer's disease. To be more specific, the laboratory will attempt to approach the essence of Alzheimer's disease by focusing on how the metabolic mechanism of b-amyloid is affected by the membrane domain (caveolae) chiefly consisting of cholesterol and sphingosine glycolipids, which exist on the plasma membrane and have recently attracted much attention as the location of organization of signaling molecular.
|
|
|
The 2nd RIKEN BSI RETREAT Held |
|
The 2nd RIKEN BSI Retreat was held at the Oiso Convention Center, for three days from October 12 to 14. About 250 BSI members attended the event. The word "retreat" actually means assembly, and the aim of the event was to trigger intellectual interaction among researchers through frank discussions and constructive criticism exceeding the boundaries of the various research areas.
The retreat focused on the introduction of the research objectives by each laboratory head as well as the poster session in which participants held discussions on more than 170 presentations. The researchers also held actively cross-disciplinary discussions till late in the night. The last day saw very fruitful intellectual interactions with a special lecture given by the Group Director, Dr. Kensaku Mori., and panel discussion with the theme "Theoretical and Experimental Neuroscientists: How can we understand each other and work together?"
|
|
Regarding the tasks that lie ahead, we will further promote interaction and understanding among researchers in the three major research areas: "Understanding the Brian", "Protecting the Brain", and "Creating the Brain". To this end, the BSI will put forth all efforts to bring itself up to world class levels and to also yield results that are of higher quality.
|
|
Panel discussion at 2nd RIKEN BSI RETREAT
|
|
|
|
The 2nd International Symposium Held at the RIKEN-MIT Neuroscience Research Center |
|
The RIKEN-MIT Neuroscience Research Center, which has been established at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston U.S.A., held its 2nd International Symposium under the title "new frontiers in Brain Science" for two days from October 29 to 30.
Marking a full one year since collaborative research between BSI and MIT began, this symposium was aimed at promoting mutual understanding between both organizations so that more active sharing of research achievements and further collaboration could be achieved.
Lectures were given by six laboratory heads from the BSI, including Director, Dr. M. Ito, as well as four professors from the MIT-RIKEN Center, including Dr. Susumu Tonegawa. Another ten top-class researchers from other universities in the Boston area also gave lectures. The symposium was attended by a large audience who actively participated in the event by posing lively questions following the researcher's presentations. A poster session was also held for the purpose of promoting interaction among researchers in different areas. For the session, more than 50 themes were set forth by the BSI and MIT so as to provide stimulating topics for the researchers.
|
Lecture of Dr. Susumu Tonegawa at Symposium
|
|
In the future scope of this collaboration, the BSI and MIT will promote closer and more dynamic joint research to contribute to the advancement of brain science, by making full use of both organizations' potentials through exchange of human resources and sharing of research achievements.
|
|
|
The 2nd Brain Science Exchange Forum Held |
|
The "Brain Science Exchange Forum" regularly is held in BSI to promote collaborative research for the implementation of research results in basic fields. Following the 1st Forum last year, the 2nd Forum was held on November 15 with an emphasis on "Creating the Brain". It was attended by 30 people from 17 enterprises in such fields as information telecommunications, electronics, and automobiles.
Lectures were given by Director, Dr. Ito, and Drs. Amari and Matsumoto, Group Directors of BSI, as well as by Dr. Ebisuzaki, Director of RIKEN. In the afternoon a panel discussion was held on the theme "How and When Will a Brain Style Information System Make a Reality?" The participants included Dr. Iwano, Director of Tokyo Research Lab., IBM JAPAN Ltd., Dr. Koizumi, Director of Advanced Research Lab., Hitachi, Ltd., Dr. Tsujino, Chief Engineer of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. and Dr. Ichikawa, laboratory head of BSI, and there was a frank exchange of opinion among them. Later opportunities were given to visit some laboratories in BSI, and participate in an evening social event. Regarding the task ahead, BSI will broaden its sphere of research results and provide greater opportunities for interaction with enterprises.
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
