RIKEN Brain Science Institute (RIKEN BSI) RIKEN BSI News No. 10 (Dec. 2000)



Neuronal Function Research Group Performance Evaluation

A meeting of the Research Review Committee

On June 12 and 13 of this year, the Research Review Committee met and carried out a five-year performance evaluation of the Neuronal Function Research Group, which is headed by Dr. Kensaku Mori. The Group, which consists of four laboratories, was originally established as part of the RIKEN Frontier Research Program in 1995. The Review Committee, which is comprised of experts from around the globe, is an integral part of BSI that serves to evaluate each lab's progress, research results and overall future potential using a strict set of criteria. The results of the review (Review Report) provide the necessary background information from which the next five year plan of each Group and its associate laboratories can be formulated. The Review Committee for the Neuronal Function Research Group was composed of 12 Reviewers: eight from abroad and four from Japan with Prof. John Hildebrand from the University of Arizona, USA serving as Chair. Prior to the meeting, a preliminary Mailing Review was conducted so that each Reviewer could familiarize themselves with the last four years of each laboratories research activities. The Review Committee Meeting began with concise thirty minute presentations by each of the Laboratory Heads in which past results and future possibilities were discussed and clarified. Enthusiastic discussions between the Laboratory Heads and the Reviewers followed. The following morning, the Reviewers spent time visiting each laboratory for more in-depth discussions with the researchers. That afternoon, a completed Review Report was submitted to the Director of BSI, Dr. Masao Ito. A summary of the Review Report is as follows:
・ The Neuronal Function Research Group utilizes contemporary cellular and molecular approaches to investigate the organization, function and development of mammalian neural systems. By means of these powerful tools, the research is able to provide significant insights that are critically important for the advancement of modern brain science. Thus, the Group is a vital and integrated component of BSI that fills an essential role and should continue the general thrust of its research into future.

  • Although the Review Committee strongly supports the organizational principals, goals and future endeavors of the Group, a reorganization of the laboratory during the next five-year research cycle is suggested.
  • Given that the current Group Director, Dr. Mori, will transfer to the University of Tokyo, a new Group Director should be recruited as soon as possible. The new Group Director should have a superior grasp of coordinating and integrating various molecular, cellular and system approaches in addition to having a distinguished flair for combining scientific depth with a cross-disciplinary outlook.
  • Consideration should be given to establishing a permanent position and encouraging increased research collaboration.
BSI Summer Program 2000 a Success
BSI Summer Program 2000 Participants

Lecture courses for the second BSI Summer Program were held over the course of two weeks, from July 4 to 15. Approximately 50 young researchers representing 13 countries and 19 nationalities, including Japan, attended along with a staff of 25 lecturers from Japan and abroad, 11 of which were from BSI. This year, the program was entitled, "How the Brain Works: Experimental and Theoretical Approaches," and its principal purpose was to provide each of the attendees with the fundamental concepts of brain functions, covering every aspect from synapses to systems from an experimental and theoretical point of view. The remaining hours of the program were used to provide attendees with ample time to visit laboratories, present research results and give their own self-introductions. This was done in an attempt to promote interaction among the attendees, lecturers, and BSI members. In addition to the lecture courses, internship courses were also offered during the program, in which certain researchers were able to participate in the activities of various BSI laboratories for a period of about two months. The significant result of this was that it allowed the attendees a unique opportunity to acquire new techniques and develop their skills while also helping to pave the way for future collaborations with BSI. This type of summer program can be commonly found at anyone of the first-rate universities or research institutions in Europe and the U.S. and is a way of educating and training young researchers in the latest developments of the field. In Japan, however, such programs are still quite rare, and as a result, there were a variety of challenges, especially with regards to planning and management. Nevertheless, a unique and successful program that reflected the best of BSI was put together. We hope to continue this program and continually improve upon it in order to contribute towards the advancement of brain science around the world. The Summer Program 2001 will be entitled, "Brain Dysfunction: Molecular
A conference at the BSI Summer Program
and Cellular Bases (working title)," and is scheduled to be held for approximately two weeks beginning June 26. For more information, please refer to the prospectus from this yearユs summer program or visit BSIユs website which contains additional details about the Summer Program 2001 (http://summer.brain.go.jp). We look forward to an exciting 2001 summer program and to receiving a great number of applications from many young and eager researchers around the world.
BSI Central Building Complete

BSI Central Building
The second phase of construction on the BSI Central Building was completed this past July according to schedule. Now, in addition to the first phase, which was completed last April, the fully completed BSI Central Building stands nine stories above ground with one underground level and contains approximately 27,000m2 of floor space. The newly constructed area has slowly been coming to life with new equipment and new laboratories moving in. In addition to laboratories, the newly completed area will support an Exhibition Room (Brain Box) and a Refreshment Room, both of which are currently being completed. With the completion of the Central Building, the BSI Complex now consists of three buildings "the Central, East, and West Buildings" with approximately. 300 people from 37 different laboratories involved in various research.
A New Group and New Laboratories Started

BSI started the Laboratory for Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders in Aging in the Psychiatric Research Group this September. In October, the Recovery Mechanisms Research Group and the Laboratory for Cell Recovery Mechanisms were established. In addition, this November saw the starting of the Laboratory for Perception Dynamics, which is in the Brain-Style Information Systems Research Group. The Laboratory for Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders (Head, Dr. Tadafumi Kato) will conduct research using cultured cells and brains from autopsies that have undergone cultivation tests, etc., with the aim of elucidating the causes of two major mental disorders manic depressive psychosis (bipolar disorder) and schizophrenia, which are serious, frequently occurring illnesses. The Recovery Mechanisms Research Group, in the field of protection, will conduct research on the differentiation of neural stem cells, which is the basic means for recovering neurons, along with research on elucidating the mechanisms of neuron death. The Laboratory for Cell Recovery Mechanisms (Head, Dr. Masayuki Miura), which was the first laboratory established in this research group, will conduct research on the meaning of neural cell death, as well as its molecular mechanisms. In addition, the laboratory plans to expand its area of research in order help patients recover from functional disorders related to the nervous system, and to also elucidate the causes of neurodegenerative diseases by extrapolating upon the obtained research results. The Laboratory for Perception Dynamics (Head, Dr. Cees van Leeuwen) will conduct research on the micro-dynamics of visual perception and its associated memory functions (for example, iconic and visual working memory), as well as on perceptual and classification learning.
RIKEN-MIT Neuroscience Research Center Steering Committee Meeting Held

The RIKEN-MIT Neuroscience Research Center's first Steering Committee Meeting was held on September 7 at BSI. In attendance were the three Committee Members; Dr. Robert J. Silbey, Dean of Science at MIT; Prof. Susumu Tonegawa, Director of the Center; Dr. Masao Ito, Director of BSI and Ms. Julie Norris, Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs at MIT. There was discussion of the current situation regarding joint research as well as talk about upcoming research plans. It was agreed at the meeting that from this point forward even greater efforts to promote joint research should made.
RIKEN BSI NEWS

RIKEN BSI HOME
RIKEN Brain Science Institute (RIKEN BSI)
Copyright All Rights Reserved.