RIKEN | Press Release

Home > Press Release > 2008

Press Release

2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
(2004-1997: In Japanese)

December	26	Protein network reshapes the ECM ^*
December	26	Eleven graduate course students from China, victims of the Sie-seng 512 quake, were accepted as research trainees at RIKEN for three months from Sie-seng University, Southwest Jiaotong University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences
December	24	An 'X-ray microscope' developed for the three dimensional observation of the inside of the cell succeeded in taking the first X-ray CT images of human chromosomes in the world
December	24	Joint research plan for the development of new mutant species with ion-beam irradiation
December	20	The color and the shape Differential silhouetting of the cell cycle specific to either S/G₂/M a new visualizing technology of the cellular proliferation process
December	15	Placental origins traced to Pou5f1 ^*
December	11	Tead plays a part in cell contact inhibition of proliferation ^*
December	10	RIKEN and Keio University concluded a new comprehensive partnership agreement towards the slogan, 'Creative intelligence, leading the world'
December	9	Tracks to the junction: Microtubules tethered to zonula adherens ^* Building new connections
December	3	TET Systems signs license agreement with RIKEN BioResource Center
December	3	The Asia-Africa Research Forum on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, supported by the MEXT project, was held under the title of ' Program of Founding Research Centers for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases '
December	2	Identification of genes for two enzymes essential for the removal of active oxygen in chromosomes, promising better understanding of the function of plant superoxide dismutase, and quenching harmful active oxygen
November	28	Regarding the mixing of a reagent into a beverage at the Harima Institute
November	27	Elucidating the structure of the gibberellin receptor that will be an initiator linked to 'the second green revolution', promising strategic regulation of plant growth
November	25	Success in emitting a new X-ray with a wavelength in the region of the 'water window', which will enable visualization in situ of living organisms, promising the development of a bench-sized coherent soft X-ray generator suitable for an 'instant shot' measurement of mobile organs
November	25	Development of a bird's-eye view' analysis technology for the entire metabolic pathways of animals and plants, performed through an integrated system of instrumental data, such as C-13 and hetero nuclear multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopies, with technology for 'coarse-sampling' of metabolic routes
November	23	'Intuitive thinking of professional Shogi-players' was clarified to originate from 'intuitive circuits' grown due to long term brain training
November	19	Successful reduction of speed and refrigeration to a temperature of 0.01 K of the RI-beam, which was accelerated to 40% of the speed of light, enabling the development of precision laser nuclear spectroscopy of the atomic nucleus for the construction of an 'ultimate atomic model of nuclei'.
November	19	The International Cancer Genome Consortium announces the launch of 8 Cancer Genome Projects
November	18	Holding the 4th XFEL Symposium, 'Japanese Technology Attracting the World's Attention, the Compact X-Ray Laser'
November	18	Elucidation of the regulatory mechanism of DNA recombination inducing genomic transformation, by controlling definitive choice to induce evolutional or non-evolutional transformation
November	18	Identifying differences between the right and left brain, indicating remarkable features of hippocampal tissue related to memory
November	17	Identification of 'a bad cell' causing respiratory tract hypersensitivity syndromes such as allergic asthma, a strategic target for radical treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases
November	14	Surface patterning: Hop to it Detection of the electric-field response phenomenon of a single molecule adsorbed on a surface, marking a great step towards manufacturing a molecular nano-device
November	14	Unearthing the diversity of plant chemicals Preparing a spectral library of tandem mass spectroscopy for plant secondary metabolites, collecting more than ten thousands spectra with Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant
November	14	Seeing molecules move in real-time A new methdology for the detection of the change in molecular structure in a time of 0.1 ps (pico second), providing powerful tools 'to elucidate the transition state of chemical reactions
November	14	Partners in crime Elucidating a miraculous entero-symbiosis which supports the highly efficient decomposition of wood by termites, showing a multi-symbiotic mechanism between protists and bacteria
November	11	The Center for Genomic Medicine Announces Five New Collaborative Projects with the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) Groups
November	11	Holding a 'Symposium on Intuitive Thinking of Shogi-players', the first result of the Shogi project
November	10	Smashing pictures Detection of dual reaction pathways for the initial methane oxidation process through the analysis of a visualized image of the scattered 'molecular species, answering the question of whether the reaction proceeds through insertion, or withdrawal, or both
November	7	Robots show that brain activity is linked to time as well as space From robotics to animal motor-control systems
November	6	Cerebral cortical tissue from ES cells ^* Rebuilding the brain
November	4	Launch of a business selling the pale yellow cherry tree, known as 'Nishina-Zao,' by Creative Hankyu Co. Ltd.
November	4	Clones from dead, frozen mice ^* Cloning: Back from the ice
October	30	Concluding a comprehensive agreement with Battelle Inc., for the promotion of the practical use of RIKEN's intellectual property, providing a wide "baton zone" through the first agreement with the research investment corporation
October	29	'RIKEN Symposium: VCAD System Research 2008, 'from Manufacturing to Cell''
October	29	Organizing a new GSC, a community of genome scientists, for the development of genome science, and to provide and share stored research information and a personnel base
October	28	Memory maintenance Clarification of the involvement of the activation of GSK-3beta, a tau-protein phosphorylation enzyme, in memory fixation, supporting the previous understanding of the essential need for intellectual stimulation to prevent the memory impairment accompanying senescence
October	25	Division of duties in heterochromatin assembly ^*
October	22	Developing a new liquid crystalline organic semi-conductor, characterized by efficient electronic transportation, on the basis of the molecular design to create amphiphilic molecules such as soap
October	22	Reciprocal communication Regulation of neuronal activity by S100B protein, secreted by the brain glial cells, supporting the presence of a signaling pathway, mediated by the secreted protein, from glial cells to neurons
October	21	"Advanced Science Institute Founding Commemorative Symposium", entitled "Vital Integration for Emergence and Innovation"
October	20	Island hopping Clarification of the regulatory mechanism of 'amyloid-beta' production system, a cause of Alzheimer's disease, to develop new drugs for the disease.
October	20	Nanoparticles get svelter in the heat The world's first nano-sized magnetic particle, expandable at low temperatures, which will enable the development of ultra-precision nano-machinery driven by magnets without risk of thermal expansion.
October	17	Understanding the flow rate of gas absorbed into black holes through observation of the rapid changes in the characteristic light emitted from black holes using both optical and X-ray telescopes
October	17	World's First Successful High Resolution NMR Measurement of Protein Using Oxide Superconductor NMR Device ^*
October	17	Elucidating the detailed mechanism of the transportation of substances through a membrane by 'transporters,' suggesting a common molecular mechanism of transporter family exists in human beings
October	16	Selecting ten new research subjects for external NMR facility users, who may utilize the world's first protein structure analysis facility, the 'NMR three dimensional structure analysis pipeline'.
October	15	On again, and off again: Fgf signaling in inner ear development ^*
October	10	An atom-by-atom approach to molecular conformational change ^*
October	10	Immune cell activation under the microscope Elucidation of molecular mechanism determining immune response susceptibility based on the identification of a micro-cluster of CD28, an auxiliary stimulus receptor of T-cell
October	8	Bonding for color Determining the crystal structure of a protein complex essential for the transportation of melanin dye, promising drugs development, e.g. for maintaining tan-less skin, suppressing white hair, etc..
October	1	The rewards of courtship When a bird sings a love song, the brain feels ultimate happiness, suggesting that the brain recognizes love as reward and making a chirp as no reward.
September	29	An 'opening' role A new role of junk RNAs in gene activation
September	29	Progress in crystallographic protein analysis through the improved crystallization technique which is associated with the transformation of protein molecules
September	26	Neutralizing spurious associations An attempt to understand the genomic structure of the Japanese people through an analysis of DNA base polymorphism of a hundred and forty thousand bases for each individual
September	24	Designing various sized nano-pore materials, the inner walls of which are hydrophobic
September	23	Identifying a cellular membrane receptor responsive to glucose which is involved in the maintenance of energy homeostasis
September	22	Principles proven: Transcriptional logic of the mammalian biological clock ^* Setting the cellular clock
September	18	Molecular basis of neural progenitor diversity ^*
September	16	New-found control principles for biological clocks ^*
September	15	Double trouble Identifying a new gene, CD244, causing rheumatoid arthritis
September	12	Launching the world's first free access to an integrated terahertz data base
September	11	First detection of cosmic formation of rare metals from iron
September	10	Developing a method for sophisticated genome function analysis at the single base level
September	9	The world's first large scale and complete length cDNA collection for conifers
September	9	The molecular machinery of drought response Characterization of chromatin state responding to environmental stress
September	9	A sweet success Identifying an emzymic gene for synthase that synthesizes a component of a natural low-calorie sweetner
September	8	Looping-the-loop Elucidation of the mechanism of differentiation of helper T-cells that govern immunity in thymus
September	8	How the body senses emergency Clarification of a receptor causing inflammation in response to tissue damage
September	5	Plant immunity: PUBs are bad for the health Identification of plant genes suppressing the self-defensive response to pathogenic infection
September	5	Knowing when to stop: New stability factor controls robustness of the dorsal-ventral axis ^* Balancing act
September	2	From genes to plant metabolism Establishment of a new synthetic route to a plant anti-oxidative flavonoid
August	29	Call for FY2009 proposals for the 'Integrated Collaborative Research Program with Industry'
August	28	The recession gene Finding a new transcription factor from high temperature thermophilic bacteria, whicn functions when faced with a life crisis
August	21	Clarification of the molecular mechanism whereby plants catch and respond to light through three dimensional structural analysis of the photon receptor domain of phototropin, a protein involved in blue light tropism
August	21	Hosting 'Next Generation Super-Computing Symposium 2008' from September 16 -17, 2008, at MY PLAZA
August	21	A balancing act Elucidating the involvement of increment of GABA suppression in the memory impairment accompanied by Alzheimer's disease
August	20	Application of cosmic X-ray and gamma-ray detection technology to other fields of science
August	19	The 'Synra Dome', a three dimensional full-digital dome theater, opens on Aug. 20, 2008 at the Science Museum in collaboration with the Japan Science Foundation, the Science Museum, and RIKEN
August	19	Development of a hybrid enzyme that incorporates a non-natural amino acid into proteins
August	18	Clues to diabetes susceptibility in a snip (SNP) Identification of a gene, KCNQ1, which causes adult diabetes, involved in 20 percent of Japanese adult type-II diabetes cases
August	13	Elucidation of the mechanism of formation of thalamus functional domains as an information mediator for the cerebral cortex
August	12	Catching the heart and lungs in action Development of a high-resolution in vivo-CT system for the measurement of small animals using high luminosity synchrotron radiation as a light source
August	12	Stop the loss Clarification of an inhibiting factor for the differentiation to osteoclasts in bone metabolism
August	11	An all-in-one chip Successful ultra-high resolution imaging with terahertz electromagnetic waves
August	11	Unmasking the branch inhibitors Identification of a new hormone involved in the branching regulation of plants
August	8	Pass the protein Elucidation of a mechanism involved in cerebral growth accelerated by experience after birth
August	7	X-ray lasers in focus Successful development of a new mirror which increases the intensity of XFEL laser light by up to 100 million times
August	6	Pairing up and settling down New insights into contact inhibition of cell movement ^*
August	5	Hypothalamic neurons from ES cells ^*
August	1	NEC Researchers Awarded with the 2008 Simon Memorial Prize ^*
July	29	Launch of a feasibility study of a vaccine to prevent and treat hay fever caused by cedar pollen
July	28	Smaller, cheaper and better A small X-ray free electron laser, useful for creating new science and technologies
July	18	Mapping multiplicity mathematically Development of a speculative methodology for the determination of the numbers of duplicated and deleted DNA sequences in chromosomes for the first time in the world
July	17	Learning by osmosis Success in recording brain activity in response to melody and word breaks
July	16	Making sense of the antisense Identification of ca. 7,300 new non-coding RNAs of Arabidopsis thaliana
July	14	Cthrc1 ties Wnt PCP factors together ^*
July	12	New germline specification gene found ^* Key determinant of sex cells found
July	12	Pinpointing susceptibility to knee arthritis Identification of a new gene, DVWA, which causes knee osteoarthritis
July	12	Incorporating a novel fluorescence protein to develop a high sensitivity membrane potential probe
July	11	How to halt immune cell activation Clarification of a new mechanism of suppression of excess T-cell activation through T-cell receptor complex degradation process
July	4	Development of a new high output LED, generating deep ultra-violet light with only 10 mW, which is the most appropriate light for sterilization; an important step towards producing portable semiconductor UV-germicidal lamps for hospitals or the home
July	3	Many tracers make light work Successful development of a new diagnostic apparatus enabling simultaneous imaging of several radioactive drugs in a single measurement using mice, for the first time in the world
July	3	Open access to a data base for molecular-based clinical medicine to achieve tailor-made medical treatment
July	1	Opening of a RIKEN research laboratory in Korea, which will function as a research network center for Asian countries
July	1	Open access to the world's first united gene map data bases of wheat and barley for the promotion of effective research and development
June	30	Blood cell type diversity in the early embryo ^*
June	30	Hosting of "Science and Music Night - A View of Life - Where Science and Art Meet"
June	28	Crosstalk in plant resistance Elucidation of the complex regulatory mechanism of plant disease tolerance, suggesting the presence of complex survival strategies against pathogenes and environmental stress
June	26	Color to the nanoworld The world's first metallic nano-lens that may provide advanced technology for nano-scale resolution imaging
June	25	QUMA tool for bisulfite sequencing analysis ^*
June	24	Fluorescence or flexibility Elucidating the molecular mechanism of photochromism of a fluorescent protein 'Drompa' with NMR analysis of its dark-structure, instead of X-ray structural analysis
June	23	How cells go pear-shaped ^*
June	23	Forced to insulate Development of organic Mott FET with field effect transition comparable to that of polycrystal silicon, to produce a new functional field effect transistor from novel materials
June	20	Identifying a second carbon nano-tube structure through SPring-8 synchrotron radiation, which looks like a helical ladder of a pair of graphite molecules, reminiscent of DNA's double helix structure
June	19	Liquid crystals line up to make self-healing photovoltaic device A new type of solar cell with a high performance photoelectric effect, adapting ideal molecular array of liquid-crystalline organic thin-membrane such as that of biological membrane structure
June	19	Clarifying the origin of vertebrates through success in decoding the genome of Branchiostoma belcheri
June	17	Elucidation of a part of the transport mechanism of ion-transport ATPase for the better understanding of osteoporosis and treatment of cancer
June	16	Breaking away: A new role for RhoA in EMT ^* Cutting loose
June	15	Untangling the roots of the germline ^* Cells traverse developmental divide via Blimp
June	12	Ice shadow behind liquid water, disproving the common notion that water indicates normal continuous phase transitions, shown by the presence of two electronic states in liquid water.
June	12	Attention to one side increases early response at the visual and auditory gates of the mind [ Click here to view video ] Brain gain
June	11	Open access to the SNP frequency information of 35 diseases, including cancers, heart diseases, and brain disorders, for the promotion of gene identification associated with diseases and drug adverse effects.
June	10	Uncovering hidden pathways Elucidating a new differentiation mechanism of osteoclast cells that absorb bone in living systems.
June	9	Hosting RCAI-JST International Symposium on Immunology 2008 focusing on "Regulation of immune homeostasis and diseases" from June 26-27 at the conference center in Pacifico Yokohama
June	5	Unsuspected neuronal specificity in GDNF function ^*
June	5	Improved model yields new insights into Hirschsprung's disease ^*
June	3	Elucidating a molecular mechanism of neuronal growth, promoting the development of medical care through neuronal regeneration
May	30	Novel ectodermal factor blocks mesodermal fate ^* Guiding the decision-making process
May	27	Crystal quest brings success Efficient protein three dimensional structure analysis in the world's top speed assisted by three types of automated crystallization robots, supporting the progress of the Structural-Biological Whole Cell Project.
May	23	Completion and open access to the general gene expression map of Arabidopsis thaliana, the first case of a model plant, as a part of the AtGenExpress project which makes available an on-line database for phenotypic patterns and functions of plant genes
May	22	Structural 'snapshots' of a protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease Elucidation of the mechanism of regulation of enzymic activity which causes Alzheimer's disease, indicating pocket cavity size for capturing amyloid precursors and the presence of water molecules as key factors.
May	16	Subtraction a plus for monoclonal antibody research ^*
May	15	Synaptic protein coupling Phosphorylation of Homer is involved in softening of the postsynaptic moiety accompanied by neuronal activity, a step forwards in the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of memory and learning
May	15	New view on an archetypical oxide Elucidating the riddle of Professor Mott, Nobel prize winner for physics in 1977: why is nickel oxide not metallic?
May	8	Elucidating a mouse sex discrimination mechanism by pheromones through visualized dynamics using fluorescent proteins for detecting the effect of pheromonic stimulation on olfaction-receptor cells.
May	6	Focus on phosphate Success in the development of high-performance procedures for the bulk identification of phosphorylated sites of plant proteins, which will enable the detailed observation of cellular information transmission systems.
May	5	Zeroing in on beta globins in the early embryo ^*
May	2	Antimatter trap to test nature's symmetry Success in manipulation of a cloud of unsteady anti-protons, a key step toward generating anti-hydrogen in quantity.
May	2	Getting to the bottom of lower-back pain Discovery of two new genes for susceptibility to hernias, THBS2 and MMP9, providing a new step towards the treatment of lower back pain and sciatic neuralgia.
April	30	Launch of the international cancer genome consortium for the integration of cancer genome transformed catalogues by RIKEN and the National Cancer Center in collaboration with thirteen other organizations around the world.
April	29	Why plants can resist their own deadly toxins Elucidating the mechanism of plants' tolerance of their own anti-tumor substance
April	25	Shroom3 recruits ROCKs to the apical junction ^*
April	25	Seven research subjects approved from external applicants for the utilization of the NMR facility, providing the world's best NMR three dimensional structure analysis pipeline.
April	24	Right on target Development of key technology to measure proton distribution in unstable nuclei, which had been thought impossible to measure, for the first time in the world.
April	23	New clues on organic superconductors Development of superconducting organic materials, probably generated by heterogeneous charge distribution, that will solve the riddles of electric conductivity that were unexplainable by the use of lattice or spin theory.
April	22	Closing the gap in understanding a broken symmetry Computation of the vacuum energy of the elementary particle world (Numerical simulation of the possibility of the spontaneous corruption of supersymmetry)
April	17	Successful detection of the ionization process of two and three photons with extremely short wavelength FEL light
April	16	Producing a new 'white-colored pink' species by treatment of pink seeds with carbon ion beam irradiation (Olivia Pure White is now on sale, a new species transformed from a stunted pink)
April	15	Launching a Global Alliance for Pharmacogenomics
April	10	A close relationship between T cells and phagocytes Choosing the right path
April	9	RIKEN and Hangyang University conclude a joint agreement in the field of fused nano-technology. (RIKEN has established a research center in Korea, which is expected to be the central site of an Asian network of research.)
April	7	X-rays play the right hand The world's first discrimination of enantiomers by specially devised X-ray diffraction measurement (Finding a mutually interactive diffraction principle between circularly polarized X-rays and chiral structure)
April	2	Call for applications for the joint research program with industry in fiscal 2008
April	1	RIKEN, in collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical, has begun the crystal structure analysis of membrane proteins, to contribute to the design of effective drugs.
April	1	Bugs helping bugs Success in genome decoding for symbiotic microorganisms living in termite intestines for the first time in the world, suggesting a new methodology for function analysis of microorganisms which are impossible to culture
March	31	Excited molecules reveal hidden story of mode-selective chemical reactions Watching chemical reactions molecule by molecule
March	28	PSC of RIKEN and DOWA Holdings Co., Ltd. will launch a joint developmentalresearch project on April 1, 2008 to search for and develop moss specieswhich accumulate heavy metals, such as lead, or rare metals. The projectaims to develop waste water treatment equipment to absorb these harmfulmetals through a special process using the moss.
March	27	Inhibitory synapses in the cerebral cortex are found to have different transmission efficiencies for sleep and awakening states, providing new clues to the mystery of sleep
March	27	Teasing out the structure of a crucial protein Complexes full of energy
March	27	MIT's Professor Susumu Tonegawa to be RIKEN BSI's Next Director
March	27	Without BIG-2, odor maps stink Wired for smell
March	26	Kyoto University, in association with RIKEN, will start a program for distribution of mouse iPS cells. Orders will be accepted from 17: 30 on March 26, 2008.
March	26	Tool-using rodents rake in rewards Rodents rake for rewards
March	21	On March 21, 2008, RIKEN and the Computing Science Promotion Foundation concluded a collaboration agreement to promote use of the next generation supercomputer as a part of MEXT's project for Developmental Utilization of Advanced High-performance General-purpose Supercomputer.
March	21	Easy multiferroics Professor Yoshinori Tokura, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, in collaboration with the FRS of RIKEN, has discovered a new multi-ferroic substance, composed mainly of iron oxide, that reveals strong dielectricity in a weak magnetic field of 300 gauss, and regulates continuously both the intensity and direction of strong dielectric polarization simply by changing the direction of magnetic field.
March	21	New evidence from mice study explains what happens when cell signaling goes awry Tracing lymphocyte development signaling pathways
March	20	Spring comes to the field ^*
March	19	Scientists achieve breakthrough in development of Web 3.0
March	17	The Research Institute for Electronic Science (RIES), Hokkaido University, and RIKEN have developed a new photon-activatable fluorescent protein which will change colors in response to light stimulus. This protein can be used for high-contrast marking and tracing of molecules in living cells. RIES and RIKEN have also developed an application that more efficiently and accurately measures the diffusion coefficient of a cellular component. These features were developed by Professor Takeharu Nagai and Research Associate Tomomi Matsuda of RIES, and Team Leader Atsushi Miyawaki of the BSI Advanced Technology Development Group.
March	17	RIKEN-JST team develops ceramic material with zero thermal expansion
March	14	The giddy round of molecular timing Shuji Akiyama, JST's Sakigake Researcher, in collaboration with RIKEN and Nagoya University, has elucidated how three clock proteins in the biological clock of algae repeatedly associate and dissociate, recording the passing of time.
March	14	Real-time observation of ultra high speed alteration process of optical disc material by SPring-8 for the first time in the world, suggesting new material design aiming for a speeded-up device from phase transfer optical recording materials
March	14	Global genetic risk for osteoarthritis RIKEN demonstrated that GDF5, a susceptive gene causing osteoarthritis,exerts the same influence irrespective of race, based on an internationalcomparative study in cooperation with 10 foreign institutions includingOxford University in England and Nanjing University in China. The result wasachieved by Shiro Ikegawa, Team Leader, Laboratory for Bone and JointDiseases, SNPC and Atsushi Takahashi, Senior Scientist, Laboratory forStatistical Analysis, SNPC.
March	13	RIKEN, in collaboration with the National Institute of Agrobiological Science (NIAS) and the Research Institute for Biological Sciences (RIBS) Okayama, has constructed an open access online database which collects analysed phenotypic expressions of transduced Arabidopsis thaliana through systematic-function-adding transformations so as to efficiently express rice full-length cDNA. The group members include Tetsuya Sakurai, Unit Leader of the Integrated Genome Informatics Research Unit in PSC, Minami Matsui, Team Leader of the Plant Functional Genomics Research Team in PSC, Hirohiko Hirochika, Field Leader of NIAS, and Kenji Oda, Head of RIBS.
March	10	Direct observation of atomic motion in a nano-scale cage ^*
March	10	RIKEN's new exhibition, 'Extracting Messages from Genomes: from the new continent of RNA to personalized medical care,' will be held from March 26, 2008 in the Science and Technology Exhibition Room of the 'Information Plaza' in the hall of the old MEXT building.
March	10	Huntington's disease takes protein prisoners
March	10	VCAD database of human body's physical properties
March	10	Dramatic gain in FEL power realized with external 'seed laser' Sowing the seeds for improved lasers
March	8	Cross purposes: Dual role for Src in control of cell-cell adhesion ^*
March	7	Space shuttle Endeavor (STS-123), which is scheduled to be launched at 2:28 am US Eastern Standard Time on March 11, 2008 (3:28 am on March 11 in Japan), will carry on board the hmg1 strain of Arabidopsis thaliana as part of a joint research project between the RIKEN Plant Science Center and Osaka city University. The Arabidopsis thaliana hmg1 strain is missing the HMG1 gene, which was successfully isolated in 2004 and is involved in plant sterol biosynthesis.
March	7	A RIKEN research group showed for the first time in the world that CAS1, aplant biosynthetic gene of sterols, cholesterol-like substances in plants,is involved in both polen and chloroplast formation. The group consists ofShunya Muranaka, Team Leader, and Yushi Suzuki, Research Scientist, of theMetabolic Diversity Research Team; Dr. Hubert Schaller of CNRS, France; andProf. Marc Van Montagu of Gent University, Belgium.
March	5	Rbsn-5, a new factor in pole plasm assembly ^*
March	3	Genetic control of key defences
February	29	A research collaboration agreement to promote a new program, 'Molecular Informational Life Science,' was concluded at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, on February 29th, 2008 between RIKEN, Kyushu University, Hokkaido University, and Osaka University.
February	28	Successful new application of SPring-8 beamline to structural analysis of hitherto undetectable mobile proteins and small water molecules
February	28	RIKEN and Peking University concluded a new agreement on strategic collaboration at Peking University, Beijing in China, on February 28th, 2008, to develop research and education in a joint graduate course of the university centered on nuclear physics.
February	27	X-ray images suggest new explanation for semiconductor charge bonding A vision of order
February	21	There have been more than 2,000 citations of an article written by RIKEN scientists on the crystal structure analysis of bovine rhodopsin, a protein. The article originally appeared in the August 4, 2000, issue of Science, the well-known American science journal.
February	20	ES cells show diversity ^*
February	19	The opening ceremony for the Wako-RIKEN Incubation Plaza was held onFebruary 19th, 2008.The Plaza, jointly sponsored by the Organization for Small and MediumEnterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan (SMRJ), Saitama Prefecture, Wako City, and RIKEN, is afacility for venture companies and small and medium enterprises to conductresearch and development in original products with scientific and technological support from researchinstitutions such as RIKEN.
February	19	Regulating the chemistry of learning
February	19	Of viruses, tolls, TREMS and interferons Interferon production mechanisms revealed
February	8	Advances in Cyclostome Research ^*
February	8	RIKEN has decided the second external users for the NMR instruments and the NMR three dimensional structure analysis pipeline of the Genome Sciences Center, which supports systematic stereochemical protein structure determination starting from sample preparation.
February	8	How cells switch from killers to helpers Assisted development
February	8	Color-coded mouse genes reveal hidden story on cell cycle Waiting for the light to change
February	7	Groundbreaking catalyst for next-generation rubber
February	6	RIKEN opens THz database to public
February	6	Anemic lab mice cured by own blood produced from stem cells
February	5	Understanding Crown Gall disease in plants Sights set on plant tumor trigger
February	4	RIKEN, AIST tie up in next-generation femtosecond laser processing system
February	4	Illuminating the genetic mechanisms of Lou Gehrig's disease New potential to curb a neurodegenerative disease
February	4	Clean stem cells light the way Breakthrough in photoreceptor differentiation from ES cells ^* Replacement rods and cones
February	1	Mutant yeast provides new insight into how reproductive cells can fail Keeping everything in order
February	1	You have your mother's nucleolus Critical role for maternal nucleolus ^* Mother's little helpers
January	31	Puzzle solved for possible new class of ultra-thin microchips
January	30	RIKEN calls for Research Proposals for the Prototype XFEL
January	28	Keeping germline transcription under wraps ^* A 'turn-off' that promotes reproduction
January	28	Tead4 triggers trophectoderm ^*
January	28	The difference a domain makes ^*
January	25	The technology that intercepts the nerve system and recovers is developed for the first time in the world.- Birth of reformation base technology that solves mechanism of complex nerve system - Longer circuit fast-tracks memory
January	18	RIKEN recently presented five young Nishina-Zao trees, a new variety of cherry tree that was developed at RIKEN, to Wako City. The planting ceremony was held on January 18, 2008 at the Wako City Hall.
January	16	Interior Structure of a Black Hole Computed Using Superstrings ^* Stringing it together
January	15	Opening of the RIKEN Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies
January	8	Neurorientation: Finding direction in mammalian neuroepithelial cell divisions ^* Splitting up cell fates during brain development
January	7	Looking beneath the surface A new microscopic apparatus that can observe a single bio-molecule in a living cell
January	2	Naked nanowires cover up Molecular cables get insulating sheath