Director-General

"Welcome to the world of basic biology"
Kiyotaka Okada, Director-General of the National Institute for Basic Biology

  The National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB), a brick-colored building overlooking the city of Okazaki, can be viewed from the windows of the Tokaido Shinkansen and the vehicles driving on Route 1. NIBB was established in 1977 and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2007. Our building is already well-known to the people of Okazaki, but our purposes and achievements are not yet widely known. Various questions might arise, for example: what kind of research is conducted in it? What kinds of people spend their days there, and what do they want to know about? Is there any chance to meet them to ask about their work? This brochure will answer these kinds of questions.
  I am often asked questions like: what is basic biology and how does it differ from biology and life science? Since entering the 21st century, our understanding of genes has progressed, and basic and applied research are closely bound together. There have been many cases in which the results of basic research using experimental animals have quickly lead to cures for human diseases because the genes of the experimental animals, such as drosophilas and mice, are quite similar to those of humans. In addition, the achievements of basic research using model plants, such as Arabidopsis, have contributed to the development of crops that can grow even in adverse environments and have allowed for increases in cereal yields. Dividing biology into basic biology and applied biology may seem of little significance, but it will remain the case that basic research will lead to applied research.
  NIBB sets as its most significant goals the study of the functions of the basic genes of living organisms and cells and research into the mechanisms that allow living organisms to fit into a living environment and obtain various shapes and abilities. NIBB researches the basic and universal mechanisms that have been unchanging throughout the evolutionary process and the reasons that various changes have occurred in unicellular organisms, animals, and plants. Our researchers uncover the billion-year history in living organisms and struggle to reveal the secrets hidden in them.
  NIBB, according to its role as an Inter-University Research Institute, promotes joint study between researchers and students from universities and institutes across Japan. Researchers from abroad have frequently visited NIBB, and our staff has supported their research effectively. Cultivating researchers capable of leading future research and fostering the education of the next generation are also a major role. As one of the campuses of SOKENDAI, NIBB has provided a favorable environment in which graduate students may conduct research.
  With these goals and roles in mind, NIBB has dedicated itself to a wide range of activities. We will provide not only the results of research, but also various kinds of information, such as pictures of events and living organisms. Your comments or suggestions are appreciated.