Neural Organogenesis Research Program, RIKEN BDR-Otsuka Pharmaceutical Collaboration Center
Launched in 2016, the RIKEN BDR-Otsuka Pharmaceutical Collaboration Center aspires to conceive novel and original results through collaborative research investigating disease mechanisms based on developmental, regenerative and systems biology approaches. In June 2020, the Neural Organogenesis Research Program headed by Hideya Sakaguchi was established to accelerate research specifically in areas of neurobiology and the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
Follow the heart
This time, we have Dr. Akane Sakaguchi from the Kimura Lab. I was surprised to learn that she makes decisions based on her intuition, which was different from what I expected judging from her neat appearance. I guess we could call her an intuitive person. She is doing research on the heart, and the way […]
Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscope
RIKEN–Hiroshima University Collaboration Research Facility
The focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) is a system which combines focused ion beams for processing or milling the surface of a sample and a scanning electron microscope for observing the surface of a material.
Research Highlights
Research highlights articles and press releases between July 2021 to October 2021.
Vol. 08 – Autumn 2021
Tangled roots of a tree?
This is a capillary network in the liver called sinusoids. The liver has a high regenerative capacity. It has been shown that when the liver is damaged, there is an increase in blood flow rate and …
Download PDF（1.0MB）
Everything is Done Manually
Ritsuko Morita, our interviewee this time, was introduced to us by Mika Yoshimura. The interview took place in January 2021, but since she was in the middle of submitting her paper to the journal Nature, we held off on releasing this interview until the paper was published.
Laboratory for Dynamic Structure of Biomolecules
In April 2020, the Laboratory for Dynamic Structure of Biomolecules, led by Team Leader Ichio Shimada, that is undertaking structural biology research using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was launched at the Yokohama Campus.
Quantitative Biology Building
Osaka Campus
The building was designed by the late Kenzo Tange (1913-2005), one of Japan’s leading architects, and was completed in 1987. The monument in front is a work by sculptor Yasuo Mizui, titled “GATE OF HOPE”.
Research Highlights
Research highlights articles and press releases between March 2021 to June 2021.
Constant Temperature and Humidity Room
RIKEN BDR-DAIKIN Collaboration Center in Kobe
A laboratory with four interconnected test rooms, where room temperature and humidity can be strictly controlled. The laboratory can be set to simulate not only an ordinary air-conditioned office room but also environmental temperature …
Vol. 07 – Spring 2021
Different fly species?
These are in fact all the same fruit fly species Drosophila melanogaster.
Their different appearances are due to one or multiple genetic mutations, which lead to black bodies, white eyes, etc. There is one wild-type (normal) fly and mutant flies with 20 different phenotypes. Can you identify them all?
Download PDF（536KB）
Read the online version
Applying Embryology to Dinosaur Studies
We are going to interview Dr. Egawa who is a dinosaur researcher. I can’t wait! But, why dinosaur research not at a museum but at RIKEN? Since RIKEN BDR is a biological research institute, rather than a geological one, I’m curious to find out what kind of research he is doing…
Nonequilibrium Physics of Living Matter RIKEN Hakubi Research Team
The RIKEN Hakubi Fellows program offers outstanding and talented early-career scientists the opportunity to lead an independent team to pursue creative and ambitious research with the potential for high scientific and societal impact. This time, we introduce a team led by Hakubi Team leader Kyogo Kawaguchi…
Research Highlights
Research highlights articles and press releases between December 2020 to February 2021.
Vol.06 – Winter 2021
Floating bubbles?
These are 3D alveolar (lung) organoids or mini-organs generated from culturing mouse alveolar stem cells in a culture dish. The organoids can produce different types of alveolar cells.
Download PDF (0.9MB)
Read the online version
In between Technology and Science
The person I interviewed this time was Dr. Takashi Niwa, who is a member of the Laboratory for Chemical Biology. I assumed his research is chemistry oriented, but at BDR where a lot of the research centers around biology, I wondered what he actually did. So I decided to talk to him to appease my curiosity.
Nanofabrication Equipment to Make Ultrafine Fluidic Devices
BioSystems Building, Osaka University
Instrument that emits electron beams on photosensitive material for nanoimprinting. A semiconductor processing technique used for LSI manufacturing is adapted for biological research.
RIKEN BDR-DAIKIN Collaboration Center
At the RIKEN BDR-DAIKIN Collaboration Center, one of two collaboration centers established at BDR with a partnering company, BDR scientists researching human fatigue and Daikin Industries, Ltd., a global manufacturer of air conditioning systems, have teamed up to share and exchange their respective knowledge and technologies…
Research Highlights
Research highlights articles and press releases between August 2020 to November 2020.
Vol.05 – Autumn 2020
Meadow of flowers in full bloom?
The initiation of cephalic furrow in the Drosophila embryo. This enigmatic structure appears only transiently and yet precisely during development.
Download PDF (0.9MB)
Clinical Translational Research Program
Two researchers with clinical knowledge and experience are leading respective teams under this program with the goal of advancing our understanding of diseases as well as developing applications for regenerative medicine.
Molecular Imaging Facility
MI R&D Center Building, Kobe Campus
We can observe what is going on inside the body without causing damage or harm, and visualize tissue organization, cell function, and molecular dynamics.
Behind the Scenes of Cutting-edge Research
She’s an expert on bioinformatics who analyzes a huge amount of data from a NGS. Her role does not usually get a lot of attention but as a woman who works in the male dominated field of information systems, she sparks my curiosity more than usual…
Research Highlights
Research highlights articles and press releases between March 2020 to July 2020
Computational Work to See the Structure of DNA
I had an opportunity to casually chat with him the other day about much broader topics including politics, religion and education. But, I wondered how this interview would go…