The National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB) is a government supported basic research institute in the field of biology. It aims to stimulate and promote studies of biology, by conducting first-rate research on its own, and by cooperating with other universities and research organizations. The Institute concentrates on , the studies of cellular functions, growth and development, homeostatic control, and gene expression and regulation in eukaryotic organisms, to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms underlying various living phenomena at the molecular level.
That the Institute has been active in science was evidenced by the fact that citation indices of papers published in 1981 1991 by the NIBB was highest among Japanese universities and institutes and comparable to those of leading universities in the United States (Science, 258, 562). We are justly proud of this and would like to maintain a high level of research activity at the Institute.
A new professor joined the NIBB in the past year. Prof. Tetsuo Yamamori (former Sub-Teamleader of the Riken) filled the position of Professor of Speciation Mechanisms. His research is aimed at an understanding of the molecular mechanisms for the evolution of information processing by the nervous system. During the past year, the Institute continued to be active in exchange of personnel: we newly appointed 9 research associates from other universities, while three research associates were promoted to associate professors at other universities.
The NIBB is an inter-university research institute and plays many roles as a national and international center for the study of biology. The Institute is responsible for conducting research projects in cooperation with research groups in different universities and institutes. As a part of such cooperative activities, the NIBB carries out Special Programs which are currently directed to "Adaptation and Resistance to Environment" and "Transdifferentiation of Tissue Cells". Based on such programs, the NIBB held the 32nd and 33rd Conferences in 1994, entitled "Stress-induced genes of plants with emphasis on their functions" (organized by Prof. Murata) and "Approaches to the cellular and molecular mechanisms of regeneration" (organized by Prof. Eguchi), respectively.
In addition, the Institute sponsors symposia and study meetings on current topics at the interdisciplinary level by inviting leading scientists in various related fields, both nationally and internationally. The NIBB also shares its research resources to make them available to biologists both from Japan and around the world. Through such activities, the NIBB is and will continue to be a national and international center to promote basic research in the biological sciences.
This report describes an outline of recent research activities of the NIBB and contains a list of papers published by the members of the Institute in 1994.
