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The
3rd BSAC Meeting |
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Prof.
Michel Cuenod handing the report to Dr.M.Ito,Director of BSI |
The 3rd meeting of the Brain Science
Advisory Council (BSAC) was held from April 12 to 14. The BSAC, composed of 19
experts of established academic standing from both inside and outside Japan, and
chaired by Dr. Michel Cuenod (ex-Secretary-General of the Human Frontier Science
Program) was organized to perform an overall evaluation of BSI.
The council highly evaluated the remarkable speed and efficiency with which BSI
incorporated the council's recommendations of last year into its management. The
council also made various recommendations-key points of which are summarized as
follows:
・ Taking account of the necessity of strengthening its institutional memory and
the insecurity of young faculty concerned about their futures, BSI should give
consideration to providing a limited number of permanent positions to exceptional
scientists.
・ Because of international concerns about animal welfare, BSI should 1) become
proactive in establishing policies and procedures for related experiments that
meet the highest international standards; and 2) include outside members in the
relevant committee that approves human and animal experimentation.
・ The BSI should consider innovative ways to attract graduate students and provide
them with a wide range of training experience. This could be made possible by
having BSI scientists obtain adjunct faculty positions in local universities and
having graduate students enrolled in those universities carry out their research
work at BSI.
・ In order to enhance its international character, BSI is encouraged to hire on
contract or in temporary positions staff who are comfortable speaking and writing
in English.
・ Efforts should persist in establishing mutually beneficial collaborations with
the Genomic Science Center and the Genetic Polymorphisms Research Center.
・ The council agrees with the concept raised by faculty members that BSI should
invest in its own bioinformatics facility.
・ Because of difficulties in attracting and accommodating foreign scientists,
quality of life issues need to be considered, including spousal employment, schooling
for children, and social integration.
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Science
and Technology Agency Director-General Nakasone Visits BSI |
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Minister
visit BSI(from the left:Dr.Kobayashi,
President of RIKEN,Director-General Nakasone,
Dr.Ito,Director of BSI) |
Hirofumi Nakasone, Director-General of the Science and Technology Agency, visited
BSI on May 25 as part of his visit to RIKEN. Dr. Masao Ito, Director of BSI, gave
a brief description of the present situation, goals and objectives of BSI. Afterwards,
Dr. Ito introduced some of the fMRI research projects and answered some of Mr.
Nakasone's questions about brain visualization systems that use high-technology
equipment and instruments. Following that, the Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience
outlined their research and presented their latest results. This was followed
by a lively discussion with the Lab. Head, Dr. Saido, on the possibility of conquering
Alzheimer's disease.
Finally, Mr. Nakasone was guided by Group Director Dr. Itakura to observe the
BSI Animal Facility, one of the largest in Japan. The visit and ensuing discussion
went over the originally scheduled time by almost ten minutes, indicating Mr.
Nakasone's deep interest and anticipation with regards to brain science.
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Group
Director Dr. Mikoshiba Awarded the College de France Medal |
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On
May 16, after giving a speech at the College de France, Developmental Brain Science
Group Director, Dr. Katsuhiko Mikoshiba was awarded the prestigious College de
France Medal. The College is one of France's premiere universities with a long
tradition of excellence and was established in 1530 by Francois I for the advancement
of science. Dr. Mikoshiba received the Medal for his research on IP3 receptors
and Ca channels, which are key molecules in cell functions.
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BSI Third Anniversary Commemorative International Symposium |
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This coming October will mark the third anniversary of BSI since being established
back in October of 1997. To commemorate this special occasion , an international
symposium entitled メBrain Science in the 21st Centuryモ will be held with BSI scientists
and top brain science researchers from around the world on hand. Details concerning
application procedures and program schedules, etc. will be announced at a later
date on BSI's web page (http://www.brain.riken.go.jp). We look forward to seeing
you at the symposium.
・ Symposium for general participants
Date: Thursday, Nov. 30
Time: 13:00 to 18:00
Location: Yakult Hall, Shinbashi
Admission: Free
Languages: Japanese/English (simultaneous interpreters will be available)
・ Symposium for specialists
Date: Friday, Dec. 1
Time: 10:00 to 16:00
Location: RIKEN Ohkouchi Hall, Wako
Admission: Free
Language: English
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