News & Media

Scientific Frontier Series

The Scientific Frontier Series provides an in-depth perspective on specific research fields from the broad spectrum of research conducted at RIKEN.

(Scientific Frontier Series Part 10) Synchrotron Radiation Elucidating Protein Structure: Protein Structural Analysis Accelerated by SPring-8
Scientific Frontier Series Part 10
Synchrotron Radiation Elucidating Protein Structure:
Protein Structural Analysis Accelerated by SPring-8

Produced in 2006; 14 minutes

Introducing the SPring-8 facility and its practical and effective application for three-dimensional structural analyses of complex protein molecules, which are involved in metabolic pathway and/or morbidity formation mechanisms.

(Scientific Frontier Series Part 9) Challenging the Gene Forefront with Original Technologies: RNA Leads the Way to a New World of the Life Sciences
Scientific Frontier Series Part 9
Challenging the Gene Forefront with Original Technologies:
RNA Leads the Way to a New World of the Life Sciences

Produced in 2006; 14 minutes

Introducing the recent outcomes achieved by the Genome Exploration Research Group of GSC. The group developed the method for preparation and analysis of the complete length of cDNA transcribed from RNA. It also succeeded in the complete decording of the mouse genome sequence, publishing the "mouse genome encyclopedia," the world's largest-scale data base, and identified hitherto unknown functions carried out by RNA.

(Scientific Frontier Series Part 8) Biological Resources Supporting the Life Sciences: Bioresources
Scientific Frontier Series Part 8
Biological Resources Supporting the Life Sciences: Bioresources

Produced in 2005; 14 minutes

Introducing the mission and the function of the Bio-Resource Center. The Center develops, preserves, and cultures experimentally useful bioresources including animals, plants, cells, microorganisms, and genome data bases, and makes the material available to research scientists.

(Scientific Frontier Series Part 7) Nanoprecision Machining and Micro-Fabrication: ELID Mirror-Surface Grinding Technology to Create the Future
Scientific Frontier Series Part 7
Nanoprecision Machining and Micro-Fabrication:
ELID Mirror-Surface Grinding Technology to Create the Future

Produced in 2005; 14 minutes

Introducing the fundamentals and application of the innovative grinding technology, ELID, which was invented by Dr. Omori.

(Scientific Frontier Series Part 6) Creating Highly-functional polymer Componds with Complete Control: Ultimate Catalysts Using Organometallic Complexes
Scientific Frontier Series Part 6
Creating Highly-functional polymer Componds with Complete Control:
Ultimate Catalysts Using Organometallic Complexes

Produced in 2004; 14 minutes

Introducing a 'catalyst designer' for the development of organometallic complex molecules. The video shows how effective catalysts were designed for the preparation of highly functional polymers.

(Scientific Frontier Series Part 5) Visualization of CellularActivities: New Fluorescent Protein Techniques
Scientific Frontier Series Part 5
Visualization of CellularActivities:
New Fluorescent Protein Techniques

Produced in 2004; 14 minutes

Introducing new technology for visualizing cellular action in vivo through fluorescence emitted by organelles

(Scientific Frontier Series Part 4) Elucidation of the Intracellular Transport System: Observing the Interior Phenomena of Living Cells
Scientific Frontier Series Part 4
Elucidation of the Intracellular Transport System:
Observing the Interior Phenomena of Living Cells

Produced in 2004; 14 minutes

The cell is the smallest unit of life. Inside the cell, many organelles function dynamically. What will be revealed when an electron microscope observes living cells?

(Scientific Frontier Series Part 3) Surface Reforming Using Ion Beams: Changing the Surface Changes the Material
Scientific Frontier Series Part 3
Surface Reforming Using Ion Beams:
Changing the Surface Changes the Material

Produced in 2004; 14 minutes

Ion beams are a way of arbitrarily altering the surface structure of materials. Ion beam spattering technology has been assisting semi-conductor manufacturing, and is now being applied to organic materials in the medical field. This video introduces ion beams, from fundamentals to frontier research, including an explanation of the principle of the ion beam generator.

(Scientific Frontier Series Part 2) Brain Science Study Using 'fMRI': Detecting Brain Activity Down to the Millimeter
Scientific Frontier Series Part 2
Brain Science Study Using fMRI:
Detecting Brain Activity Down to the Millimeter

Produced in 2004; 14 minutes

fMRI is a promising technique for visualizing the ever-changing activity of the brain. An introduction to recent brain science research using fMRI, accompanied by an explanation of the fundamental principle of the MRI technique which can view the inside of the body without cutting it open.

(Scientific Frontier Series Part 1) Accelerators for Creating RI Beams and the Principles Behind Them
Scientific Frontier Series Part 1
Accelerators for Creating RI Beams and the Principles Behind Them

Produced in 2003; 14 minutes

A layman's introduction to the operational system and principle of the Radioactive Isotope Bean Factory