INTRODUCTION

The National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB) is a government-supported research institute established in 1977. In 1988, Department of Molecular Biofunction in School of Life Science, the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, was established in the NIBB. The aim of the NIBB is the promotion and stimulation of studies in the field of Biology. As a Center of Excellence (COE), NIBB promotes not only the basic biology but also the modern biological sciences by conducting first-rate research on site as well as in cooperation with other universities and research organizations. Researchers at NIBB investigate cell structure and function, reproduction and development, neuronal and environmental biology, gene expression and regulation, molecular evolution of eukaryotic organisms and integrative and computational biology to elucidate the general and fundamental mechanisms underlying various biological phenomena. In 2002, there were many doctors who were appointed as scientific staffs in NIBB. On April 1st, Prof. TAKADA, Shinji, who had been a Professor of Kyoto University as well as adjunct-professor of the NIBB, was appointed as the Professor of the Center for Integrative Bioscience (CIB) and made a joint appointment for the NIBB. He was also joint-appointed as a Professor of the Graduate University of Advanced Studies and of Kyoto University.

Prof. MIYATA, Takashi was appointed as a Professor of the Department of Integrative and Computational Biology in the NIBB from Kyoto University on September 1st.

Dr. MOCHIZUKI, Atsushi who was a Research Associate of Kyushu University was appointed as an Associate Professor of the Department of Integrative and Computational Biology in the NIBB on September 1st.

Prof. NAKAMURA, Haruki of Osaka University was also appointed as a Adjunct Professor of CIB on August 1st in place of the former Prof. KANEHISA, Minoru.

Drs. MIZUSHIMA, Noboru, YAMAMOTO, Hiroshi, HORIGUCHI, Gorou (CIB), YAMADA, Kenji, HIYAMA, Takeshi and OGAWA, Hidesato were appointed as Research Associates of the NIBB in 2002.

Drs. JOHZUKA, Masaki returned as a Research Associate of NIBB from the University of California in place of Dr. KODAMA, Ken-ichi, a Research Associate of NIBB.

In congratulation, Dr. YOSHIMORI, Tamotsu, was promoted to a Professor of the National Institute of Genetics in March 1st, 2002. Dr. ITO, Kei, was promoted as an Associate Professor of the University of Tokyo in April 1st, 2002 and stayed in the NIBB as a adjunct-Associate Professor of the NIBB. Dr. HIDAKA, Masumi was promoted as an equivalent position of the Associate Professor of the BioMolecular Engineering Research Institute in Osaka.

Two adjunct Professors Dr. KAMIYA, Ritsu and MABUCHI, Issei and adjunct Associate Professors INABA, Kazuo and ABE, Hiroshi left NIBB in April 31st, 2002 just after the completion of their 5-year appointments. Three Research Associates left their positions in NIBB to become the equivalent positions in other Universities and Institutes.

The total number of personnels working at NIBB including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows has been kept at approximately 300 for several years.

As a COE of the biological research institute, NIBB is responsible for conducting research projects incooperation with various research groups. As a part of such cooperative activities, NIBB hosts International Conferences. The 47^th NIBB International Conference entitled “Protein Phosphatases in Cellular Signaling Systems” was held in March 13-15 (Prof. M. Noda, organizer) and the 48^th NIBB International Conference entitled “Molecular Mechanisms of Sex Differentiation” (Prof. K. Morohashi, organizer) in October 18-20. Those two Conferences were sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. In addition, NIBB continues to sponsor interdisciplinary symposia and study meetings on current topics by inviting leading scientists from around the world to the Institute. NIBB also provides a training course in biological sciences for young investigators. To assess our continuing improvement, the activities and future plan of the professor who have spent 10 years at NIBB was subjected to peer review by international scholars in related fields. Prof. NODA, Masaharu was reviewed on the 10-year Evaluation by the committee organized by the Director-General Dr. KATSUKI. The result was accepted by the Advisory Council of the NIBB held in June. We always welcome any suggestions concerning the research activities of NIBB.

KATSUKI, Motoya, D.Sc.
Director-General