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The Laboratory for Cortical Organization and Systematics Started |
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On February 1 in 2000, the Laboratory for Cortical Organization and Systematics started as the 4th lab. of the Cognitive Brain Science Group. Dr. Kathleen L. Rockland, professor of Neurology, University of Iowa, was invited to be the first female Lab. Head in the RIKEN BSI.
The laboratory will apply a systems-anatomical approach to investigate cortical organization at the level of microcircuitry, area-to-area interactions and substructure of neuronal columns and other groupings. The main, but not exclusive experimental model, is visual and auditory association cortices of the monkey. Studies in monkey are important both for structural-functional correlations, and as an experimental model for human brain organization.
This laboratory will be highly interactive with the other 3 labs in the Cognitive Brain Science Group, which are using physiological and functional imaging techniques to elucidate higher brain functions and their structural substrates. Team research also relates to basic elements of functional and cognitive architecture, and interfaces with molecular and cellular, as well as behavioral investigations.
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World Brain Awareness Week |
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The ultimate goal of elucidating the brain's functions is to understand scientifically the reasons why humans are humans. Considerable contributions to society are expected to result from the attempt to achieve this goal since it will lead to us disease-free, better ways to deal with our aging societies, and eventually development of "brain-style" computers that are actually capable of thought.
However, in order to dramatically enhance the progression of brain science research in the 21st century, it is essential to foster a general understanding of both the expectations and aspirations related to brain science in society. It is also necessary to convey the intriguing and mysterious aspects of brain science to young people who thirst for knowledge, for they are expected to play a key role in brain science in the 21st century.
With this in mind, the "World Brain Awareness Week" campaign will be held on a global scale in places such as the U.S., Europe and Japan. The purpose of the campaign is to promote a general understanding of the meaning of brain science and its social importance by holding lectures and by opening up laboratories to the public. The campaign will be actively promoted in various parts of Japan. The Brain Science Institute will hold two events as part of this worldwide campaign: lecture program A will be presented to high school students in Musashino City on March 19, and program B will be given for the citizens of Wako City on March 25.
In addition, on March 19, Dr. M. Ito, the Director of BSI, is scheduled to appear on the TV Tokyo affiliated program "Isyoku-dogen (Good Food, Good Health) in order to appeal to the public about the importance of brain science. Then, on April 15, details of BSI's research activities will be made available to the general public as a part of the RIKEN Open Day.
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