Brain Research Institute
NIIGATA UNIVERSITY

2023

Message from the Director

In the Age of Generative AI
A Perspective from the
Director of Brain Research Institute

Osamu Onodera
We've entered the age of generative AI, where the accumulationand summarization of knowledge is no longer an exclusive
academic prowess or a special skill. Just as Google has
revolutionarily democratized access to past knowledge,
generative AI will democratize much of what was previously
deemed academic. This democratization will likely lead to asignificant transformation in the structure of academia, which
has been built with the primary purpose of acquiring pastknowledge, and in the mechanisms of professions that rely on
it. Reconstructing knowledge will no longer be an exclusive task
and will be open to all.
I believe this will bring about substantial changes in research
as well. The signiﬁcance of tasks such as literature reviews andcomparisons of previous studies will likely diminish. The futureis likely to see AI taking over in silico analysis using large-scaledata. In such a scenario, our role will be simply to collect data.
Collecting accurate data is fundamental to science, but this is
not what we have aspired to be as scientists since childhood.
Many of us, apart from a few scientists, may become mere data
gatherers. This will demand a new employment and education
system in the scientiﬁc community. However, there seems to be
little sense of urgency about this in the research community. We
need to urgently reassess science and research.
Scientific research is essentially the process of finding newthings from nothing. The process involves struggles. Dr. Martin
A. Schwartz, a professor at the University of Virginia at the time,
remarked in a 2008 essay that "Science involves confronting our‘absolute stupidity’.” He pointed out that research is immersion
in the unknown, commenting, “We can’t be sure whether we’reasking the right question or doing the right experiment until we
get the answer or the result.” The path can be frustrating andfull of errors, forcing us to face our own stupidity. He stated,
however, “That kind of stupidity is an existential fact, inherent inour eﬀorts to push our way into the unknown.” He added that“One of the beautiful things about science is that it allows us tobumble along, getting it wrong time after time, and feel perfectly
ﬁne as long as we learn something each time.” This statement
connotes a sense of pride as a scientist.
Much of our work involves reconstructing knowledge. But inthe age of generative AI, we must leave that to AI and continue
to selflessly challenge ourselves to do something truly new,
unknown to anyone, and yet seemingly foolish. This kind of work
doesn't come with a roadmap or an exit strategy. We challenge
because we don’t have them. I believe that a research institute isa place where people with a spirit to keep challenging gather.

1957

1967

1971

Research Facility of Neurosurgery,
School of Medicine is transformed
into Brain Research Institute.
Faculty of Morphology is renamed
Faculty of Neuropathology.

Research Facility of Neurosurgery
at School of Medicine, the origin ofBrain Research Institute is founded.

Brain Disorder Specimen Center is set up.

Schwartz emphasized in his essay that what a scientist should
do is to make a transition “from learning what other people once
discovered to making your own discoveries.” This essentiallyaligns with the old saying “standing on the shoulders of giants."
I believe that only a limited number of people who can truly
practice this kind of science as a profession. And yet, we needto do science education at a research institute as well. Regarding
education, Schwartz stated that “the faculty committee pushes
until the student starts getting the answers wrong or gives up
and says, ‘I don’t know’.” In his view, “The point of the exam
isn’t to see if the student gets all the answers right. If they do, it’s
the faculty who failed the exam.” He continued, “The point is to
identify the student’s weaknesses, partly to see where they needto invest some effort and partly to see whether the student’s
knowledge fails at a suﬃciently high level that they are ready totake on a research project.”
Brilliance and the spirit of challenge are traits that are difficult
to coexist with. Our institute aims to nurture brilliant scientists
who will continue to take on this challenge. We will continue toprovide an environment in which we put generative AI to full use
in order to make associations with past knowledge to reach newunderstandings.
In this new environment, the inquisitive mind combined with thepotential of generative AI will allow us to continue to explore
the unknown and constantly build new knowledge. In thatprocess, we experience failure, learn from it, and deepen our
understanding. This is what a genuine scientist is, and this is thegenuine power of learning.
This new challenge brings us redefine the role of scientists
and build new knowledge that will be passed on to the next
generation of scientists. The new knowledge will provide thebasis for them to take on another challenges.
Our mission as scientists is grounded in such approach andcommitment, which will be a beacon for prospective researchers.
The process allows us pursue the essence of science, search fortruth, deepen our knowledge, and develop our understandingof the world. This is the role that BRI is assigned to in the age ofgenerative AI. *Proofread by ChatGPT4.
Schwartz, M. A. “The importance of stupidity in scientificresearch.” J Cell Sci 121, 1771–1771 (2008).

1977

1995

New Brain DisorderSpecimen Center
opens. (531m 2 )

1996

1997

Ultra-high Magnetic Field
MRI Research Building
opens. (251m 2 )M o n b u s h o ’s C e n t e r o f
Excellence (COE) program
starts.

Reorganization results in BRI’s new structure of 3 big branches: Basic Neuroscience Branch(Depts. of Molecular Neurobiology, Cellular Neurobiology, Neurophysiology, and Developmental
Neurobiology), Pathological Neuroscience Branch (Depts. of Pathology and Molecular
Neuropathology), and Clinical Neuroscience Branch (Depts. of Neurosurgery and Neurology).
Brain Disorder Specimen Center is renamed Brain Disorder Analysis Center.

MEXT Joint Usage / Research Center

The Collaborative Research Center
for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
BRI has been certiﬁed as a joint usage/research center by the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT) since 2010. Its extensive collection of brain disease
resources and expertise have been open to the neuroscientists’c o m m u n i t y. B R I ’s d i v e r s e r e s e a r c h c o l l a b o r a t i o n s i nneuropathology and related fields have brought out a great
deal of achievement in relation to unravelling the pathologicalmechanism of brain disease. The institute has renewed its
MEXT certification of a joint usage/research center in 2022
as “the Collaborative Research Center for Neurological andPsychiatric Disorders.” BRI has the world-class collections ofneuropathological specimens and advanced imaging analysis
techniques. The institute is committed to tackling tasks such asneuropathological analysis on brain disorders like Alzheimer’s
disease, development of early diagnostic technique, andtranslational research on the treatment for reducing diseaseprogression. By utilizing the specimens of human brain disease
and the animal model resources along with the underpinning oftranslational research for clinical application, BRI’s collaboration
with researchers across the world oﬀers a prospect of reducing
the burden of intractable neurological disease.

MEXT Education and Research Organization Reform Project

21st Century Brodmann Areas Mapping
Integrating Molecular and Functional Information
The center for industry-academia-government collaboration and human resource development
to complete a “brain map” integrating molecular and functional information in the brain that willserve as a guidepost for a dementia inclusive society
Overcoming age-related diseases of the brain, such as
Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, is an urgent issue. In
order to develop treatments for these diseases, it is importantto establish diagnostic methods that can accurately estimate
prognosis at an early stage. To do so, we need a map that canserve as a guidepost to predict the progression of the diseasein the brain. This project aims to develop social implementationand human resource development in collaboration with industry,
government, and academia, starting with the creation of a newhuman brain map that will serve as a guide to understanding
the progression of brain diseases, and to give back to society
through a dementia inclusive society. To achieve this aim, we
are working on the establishment of cell dispersion technology
from human brain tissue, clearing technology and cell labelingtechnology for human brain tissue, and the creation of functionrelated maps of brain regions using functional MRI.

2002

2003

2006

Center for Integrated Human
Brain Science (CIHBS) Building
opens. (3,969m 2 ) 21st century
COE program “Virtual Universityof Neuropathology” starts.
Brain Disorder Analysis Center is transformed into 2 Centers:
Center of Integrated Human Brain Science and Center for
Bioresource-based Researches. The latter merges with
Genetic Research Facility of Niigata University and Animal
Testing Facility, School of Medicine.

2008

2009

Center for Bioresource-based
R e s e a rc h e s e x t e n s i o n i scompleted. (200m 2 )CIHBS PET Building opens. (416m 2 )2016

BRI renews MEXT’s certiﬁcation on the
Joint Usage/Research Center, whichis renamed “Collaborative ResearchCenter for Brain Diseases Utilizing
Neuropathological Resources”.

2022
BRI renews MEXT’s certiﬁcation on the
Joint Usage/Research Center, which isrenamed “The Collaborative ResearchCenter for Neuropathological andPsychiatric Disorders”.

BRI is certiﬁed as a Joint Usage/Research Center by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology (MEXT). (“the Advanced Collaborative Research Center for Brain
Diseases Utilizing Neuropathological Specimens”, start date: April 1, 2010)

Orga n iza t i on
As of June 1 2023

Basic Neuroscience BranchCenter for Bioresource-based Researches

Dept. of Brain Tumor Biology

Bioresource Science Branch
Dept. of Molecular Genetics

Assoc. Prof.

Nobuyuki Takei

Assist. Prof.

Yuriko Iwakura

Prof.

Takeshi Ikeuchi

Assist. Prof.

Masayasu Okada

Assoc. Prof.

Akinori Miyashita

Assist. Prof.

Kensaku Kasuga

Dept. of Cellular Neuropathology

Dept. of Comparative & Experimental Medicine

Prof.

Takayasu Mikuni

Assoc. Prof.

Motokazu Uchigashima

Prof.

Toshikuni Sasaoka

Assist. Prof.

Daisuke Satoh

Assoc. Prof.

Nanaho Fukuda

Assist. Prof.

Risa Iguchi

Assist. Prof.

Kanako Oda

Dept. of System Pathology for Neurological Disorders

Dept. of Animal Model Development

Prof.

Kazuki Tainaka

Prof.

Toshikuni Sasaoka

Prof.

Masaki Ueno

Assoc. Prof.

Manabu Abe

Assist. Prof.

Hitoshi Uchida

Brain Science Branch

Assist. Prof.

Tokiharu Sato

Dept. of Pathology Neuroscience

Assist. Prof.

Takahiro Inoue

Prof.

Akiyoshi Kakita

Assist. Prof.

Xinyi Liu

Assoc. Prof.

Mari Tada

Assist. Prof.

Rie Saito

Pathological Neuroscience Branch
Dept. of Pathology

Dept. of Molecular NeuroscienceProf.

Osamu Onodera

Prof.

Akiyoshi Kakita

Assoc. Prof.

Taisuke Kato

Assoc. Prof.

Hiroshi Shimizu

Assist. Prof.

Yuka Koike

Assist. Prof.

Asa Nakahara
Dept. of Molecular Pathology

Dept. of Neuroscience of DiseaseProf.

Hideaki Matsui

Visiting Professor

Koichi Wakabayashi

Assoc. Prof.

Ryuichi Hishida

Visiting Assoc. Prof.

Fumiaki Mori

Assoc. Prof.

Tomoyuki Yamanaka

Assoc. Prof.

Atsushi Sugie

Assist. Prof.

Godfried Dougnon

Assist. Prof.

Takayoshi Otsuka

Clinical Neuroscience Branch
Dept. of Neurosurgery
Prof.

Makoto Oishi

Assist. Prof.

Tetsuya Hiraishi
Dept. of Neurology

Endowed Research Branch
Advanced Treatment of Neurological Diseases BranchProf.

Osamu Onodera

Specially Appointed Assoc. Prof. Tomohiko Ishihara

Assoc. Prof.

Masato Kanazawa

Specially Appointed Assoc. Prof. Manabu Natsumeda

Assist. Prof.

Shintaro Tsuboguchi

Center for Integrated Human Brain Science
Dept. of Integrated Neuroscience
Assoc. Prof.

Yuji Suzuki

Assist. Prof.

Yukimi Nakamura
Dept. of Biological Magnetic ResonanceProf.

Hironaka Igarashi

Assoc. Prof.

Kosuke Itoh

Assist. Prof.

Masaki Watanabe

Dept. of Functional Neurology & Neurosurgery
Prof.

Hitoshi Shimada

Assoc. Prof.

Yoshihiro Murakami

Assist. Prof.

Masahiro Hatakeyama

Dept. of Cellular Neuropathology

Prof.
Takayasu Mikuni

Our goal is to understand the physiology andpathophysiology of the brain at the cellular andmolecular levels. We established “SLENDR”, atechnique based on in vivo genome editing, toimage endogenous proteins with high specificity,
resolution and contrast in single cells in mammalianbrain tissue (Cell, 2016). In addition, we recently
developed “vSLENDR”, a genome editing method
to target virtually any cell-types, areas and ages
across the brain, widely expanding the applicability ofgenome engineering technologies in the broad ﬁeldof neuroscience (Neuron, 2017). Using “SLENDR”
and “vSLENDR”, we will explore the cellular andmolecular mechanism underlying long-lasting
memory, and further investigate how the mechanism
is impaired in memory disorders to provide newtherapeutic strategies.

Dept. of System Pathology for Neurological Disorders

Prof.
Kazuki Tainaka

Current biopsy and histology have long relied on thinsectioned 2D images with several chemical staining
methods and speciﬁc immunohistochemistry. Facile
3D visualization of human brain tissue with singlecell resolution would provide a novel concept of
the neuropathological diagnosis and contribute ourunderstanding of pathological mechanisms based oncomprehensive and quantitative analysis of individual
biomarker. In this laboratory, we aim at establishinga novel 3D neuropathology by developing a highly
eﬃcient clearing protocol for human brain tissue andcombining with a rapid 3D imaging using light-sheet
ﬂuorescence microscopy.

Dept. of System Pathology for Neurological DisordersProf.
Masaki Ueno

Central nervous system injuries due to stroke or trauma
disrupt neural circuits and result in severe deficits
of functions. The brain and spinal cord have very
limited capacity to reconstruct the circuit once it isdamaged, and therefore none of effective therapeutic
methods have been developed so far. We previously
demonstrated that spared motor and autonomic
circuits are dynamically reorganized after injuries andinfluence the recovery process of functions. These
results suggest that controlling the rewiring of thecircuit would lead to make proper neuronal connections
that achieve functional recovery. The goal of ourstudy is to understand the process of rewiring and its
underlying molecular mechanisms and neural functions.
Toward this aim, we are analyzing neural systems ofboth normal and injured brain and spinal cord, using
cutting-edge techniques including, mouse genetics,
viral tracers,
optogenetics,
chemogenetics,
and 3D behavior
analysis. We
believe that thisstudy paves theway to develop
novel strategies toregenerate circuits
and restore neuralfunctions.

Dept. of Pathology / Dept. of Pathology Neuroscience
MissionTo provide the highest quality pathology services andscientific evidence focused on the advancement ofdevelopments in the ﬁeld of neuropathology.

Prof.
Akiyoshi Kakita

VisionAs an academic pathology department, we aim to deliver
a high degree of professionalism in clinicopathologicaldiagnostic services and neuropathology research, utilizing
comprehensive and innovative approaches and building
departmental competence to meet the needs of patients,
institutions, and society.
Our approach will involve taking full advantage ofopportunities to advance both the science and practiceof neuropathology through individual and collaborative
research, which hopefully will produce leading practitioners
and researchers.

We have reported clinicopathologic features of an autopsiedpatient with Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) type 17-digenic TBP/
STUB1 disease (SCA17-DI), which has been recently segregatedfrom SCA17, and demonstrated that failure of polyubiquitin chain
formation is associated with the pathogenicity of the mutant STUB1.

Dept. of Neurosurgery

Prof.
Makoto Oishi

Dept. of Neurology /Dept. of Molecular
NeuroscienceProf.
Osamu Onodera

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Niigata wasfounded by Professor Mizuho Nakata, “the father of
Neurosurgery in Japan”, in 1953, becoming the firstindependent Department of Neurosurgery in Japan. Since
then, the department has led the ﬁeld of preclinical researchand surgery for brain tumors, cerebral vascular disease, brain
trauma, and functional surgery. Also, the department is uniquein that it is aﬃliated with the Brain Research Institute, enabling
collaboration with many basic neuroscience laboratories
within the Institute. Answering clinical questions through basic
research and using the results to improve clinical medicine, isprecisely what Professor Nakata envisioned when he founded
the Brain Research Institute. It is our obligation to carry on thisspirit, and all staﬀ is dedicated to discovering new insight into
neurosurgical practice. Dr. Makoto Oishi has been appointed
as the 5th professor of the Department of Neurosurgery,Niigata University since June 2023, and we will continue toproudly develop our historic department for further clinical andresearch development.

The main research areas we are currently focusing on
include: (1) establishing brain tumor cell lines and intracranial
xenografts to develop the best strategies to treat eachtumor, (2) diagnosing brain tumors by detecting driver
mutations from cell-free DNA of cerebrospinal fluid, (3)inventing marker to detect venous
thromboembolism in glioma ,(4) identifying molecular makers
of human axonal regenerationand development, (5) developing
assistive surgical technology
to enable accurate simulation
for complex neurosurgery
cases and education of young
neurosurgeons, (6) collaboration C2PAC index in patients with
with Nishi-Niigata Chuo National venous thromboembolism(VTE) and without VTE
Hospital to elucidate the complex in patients with isocitrate
pathophysiology of epilepsy using d e h y d r o g e n a s e ( I D H ) ﬂavoprotein ﬂuorescence imaging. wildtype gliomas.

The Niigata University Brain Research Institute possesses
not only a basic neuroscience branch but also a clinicalneuroscience branch: Departments of Neurology and
Neurosurgery. Thus, the aim of our Institute is to overcome
brain diseases. We study a wide variety of brain diseases
by using genetic, biochemical, cell biological, histological,
and imaging approaches, in collaboration with otherdepartments in the Institute. In the past 50 years, we haveproduced favorable results of clinical and basic research. In
the beginning, we revealed Niigata Minamata and SMON
diseases, which are caused by toxic reagents, making us
to have profound connections with society. Up to now, weestablished entities of novel brain diseases and elucidated
their etiologies and disease mechanisms by genetic,
biochemical, and histological approaches. We have also
educated a large number of neurologists. Careful observationof patients by the excellent neurologists brought us fruitful
success in a new discovery. Our research is attributable tothe support of patients and clinicians, and we will keep tightconnection with them. Neurologists need comprehensive

knowledge of medicine and a wide range of social skills
including communication, leadership, and problemsolving
skills. We actively train young doctors to acquire theknowledge and skills to become a specialist in various ﬁelds
from a cutting-edge basic neuroscience to practical neurology.
We are professional for brain diseases and will ensure the best
possible support for our patients.

We conducted a multicenter, investigator-initiated clinical trialfrom 2020 to 2022 to evaluate a treatment for spinocerebellar
degeneration type 6 (SCA6), an inherited disorder that commonlyoccurs in Japan and for which the development of an effective
treatment is anticipated. The clinical trial has been successfullycompleted according to the planned timeline, and the results will be
published in due course.

Dept. of Biological Magnetic ResonanceProf.
Hironaka Igarashi

Continuous technological development represents an
indispensable component of the recent remarkableadvancements in the state of our knowledge ofhuman brain function. Magnetic resonance is a ﬁeld
which provides a number of versatile non-invasive
methodologies applicable to the analysis of humanspeciﬁc brain function. The Department of Biological
Magnetic Resonance focuses on the research,development and education of magnetic resonancetechnologies as well as the research and educationof human brain function based on integrated
knowledge of advanced engineering and non-linear
computational analysis.

Dept. of Functional Neurology & Neurosurgery

Prof.
Hitoshi Shimada

Recent development of in vivo imaging enable us
to track disruption of brain environment, such asabnormal protein deposition and neuroinﬂammationin addition to neuronal function. The aims of ourdepartment are to investigate the watershed between
healthy brain aging and brain diseases, and toreveal pathological bases of diverse brain disorders
using multimodal imaging technique including PET(positron emission tomography) and MRI (magnetic
resonance imaging). We will execute the clinicalimaging study contributing to ﬁnding out pathologicalbases of neuropsychiatric disorders, leading to theestablishing novel techniques of early diagnosis,
treatment and prevention, by collaborating withgovernment, industry, and academic researchers
inside and outside Brain Research Institute. As aleading laboratory in this field, we have ambitious
plans to cultivate human resources capable ofconducting translational study.

Dept. of Molecular
Genetics

Prof.
Takeshi Ikeuchi

Recent research and development of dementia has
drastically changed. Therapeutic approach to dementia
has shifted from symptomatic drugs to disease-modifying
drug. More attention has been paid in dementia topathophysiological diagnosis based on biomarker rather
than symptom-based diagnosis. Prospering in research by
virtue of paradigm shift, we have pioneered research thatwill bring revolution in clinical practice of dementia. Our
mission has two elements; one is biomarker development,
and the other is genome research of dementia. We attempt
to see through pathological changes occurring in the brainaﬀected with dementia using blood and cerebrospinal ﬂuid
samples from preclinical phase to symptomatic phase. We
have established large sample collection of genomic DNA
for dementia disorders. Whole genome/exosome analyses
have been applied in the genome analysis of dementia to
explore novel genetic factors in Japan. We have provided
a clinical sequence examination for physicians acrossJapan for genetic diagnosis of dementia. By this effort,
we will contribute to the realization of genome medicine
of dementia in Japan. Even though the environmental
surrounding of dementia research has been drasticallymoving, we keep pioneering the dementia research without
forgetting our mission that we will deliver a bright future topatients with dementia.

Dept. of Comparative & Experimental Medicine /Dept. of Animal Model Development

Prof.
Toshikuni Sasaoka

Dopamine is thought to play an important role in motor
control, memory, learning and motivation. We focus
on Parkinson's disease (PD), which is one of the mostcommon neurological diseases involving dopamine.
As PD model animals, we have created genetically
modiﬁed mice for dopamine receptors and their related
molecules. By analyzing the animal behavior and neuralcircuits of these model mice, we aim to elucidate therole of dopamine signaling on motor control, learningand memory, and develop a new therapeutic approachfor PD. We are also studying RNA-binding proteinsthat are responsible for neural circuit formation andfunctions. In addition, we are analyzing the eﬀects of invitro culture of early-stage mouse embryo on individual
development. In collaboration with the Department of
Animal Model Development, we are working on theregeneration of defective organsby blastocyst complementationand the development of a newembryo manipulation system
by using xenotransplantation of
marmoset germline tissues.

Our department is in charge of the management andoperation of the University-wide animal experimentation
facility, which provides an animal experimentation
environment using mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs,
dogs, pigs, Japanese macaques, marmosets, andkilliﬁsh for advanced animal research. We also support
research using reproductive technologies such as invitro fertilization, embryo transfer, embryo and sperm

cryopreservation. In addition, we create geneticallyengineered animals using genome editing technology.
These techniques are used to maintain the animal
experimentation facility in a Specific Pathogen Free
(SPF) environment, and contribute to eﬃcient researchthrough systematic animal production.

Dept. of Neuroscience of DiseaseProf.
Hideaki Matsui

Neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer's disease,
Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,
and Cerebrovascular diseases including stroke andcerebral hemorrhage, as well as Developmental
disorders and Mental illnesses, present significant
challenges in terms of treatment and management.
Many of these disorders and disabilities have a highincidence rate and are of utmost importance both inmedicine and in society.
Brain disorders may be perceived as highly complex
and unique to humans. However, various organisms
naturally develop brain disorders through aging orother processes similar to humans. For instance, ourlaboratory has revealed that African killifish exhibit
a disease state reminiscent of Parkinson's diseaseduring aging, leading to numerous insights that
contribute to the understanding of novel pathologicalmechanisms in this disorder. Cognitive impairment invarious animals is also occasionally reported in news
and scientific articles. Furthermore, α-synuclein, amolecular factor implicated in Parkinson's disease,is found in ﬁsh, and the amyloid precursor protein, amolecular factor in Alzheimer's disease, exists in ﬁshand insects as well.

In our laboratory, we integrate the study of various
research subjects, primarily focusing on small fish
species. We combine the cutting-edge neuroscienceand evolutionary approaches, leveraging theesteemed Brain Bank of our institute, and employing
research methodologies that cannot be replicatedby AI for the next 20 to 50 years. We strive to
unravel the evolutionary origins of brain disorders
and establish a fundamental understanding of thepathophysiology rooted in the comprehension of
the physiological functions of molecular factors that
underlie these disorders.
1. Conquering diﬃcult diseases.
2. Supporting individuals with disabilities.
3. Leaving a signiﬁcant mark on the history ofscience.
By shedding light on the essence of brain disorders,we aim to expand our research achievements toareas such as industry-academia collaboration, drug
development research, and preventive medicine,
making substantial contributions to the treatment ofbrain disorders and the promotion of healthy longevity.
Furthermore, we actively propose approaches tofoster coexistence with disabilities and aging.

Medical Practice and Education
BRI’s mission is to advance scientific research on the nervous
system of the brain. BRI has a historical background that hasdeveloped through the clinical care of neurosurgical cases in the
School of Medicine. BRI offering an integrated approach to its
research, along with clinical and educational activities, is therefore
a great strength. The research at BRI covers a wide spectrum from
Basic Neuroscience to Clinical Neuroscience related research tohuman brain disease. Pathological Neuroscience that bridges these
two areas and the integrated research of these three areas brings
greater progress, making BRI one of the most desirable institutes
for research on brain disease in Japan. In order to continue toengage in cutting-edge research, BRI is dedicated to training
competent researchers. BRI is also dedicated to research in theclinical area to advance medicine.

Niigata Junior Doctor
Training School

Niigata Nouken Seminarfor Neuroscience

BRI gave science talks in October 2022 as part of the master’s
program of “the Niigata Junior Doctor Training School”, a STEM
education program aiming at fostering the budding scientists.
42 pupils, from the 5th grade elementary school to junior high,participated in a lecture session by two BRI researchers. Alongsidewith that, two 6th-graders from the doctoral program visited BRI on
a regular basis and took part in trainings and experiments to workon scientiﬁc research projects.

Every year, BRI holds Niigata Nouken Seminar for Neuroscience,
formerly known as Summer Seminar. The 52nd meeting was held
online in March 2023. The event included self-introductions by
graduate students and newly joined researchers, a special lecturewith Dr. Yasuhiro Iba of Hokkaido University, and presentations by
Niigata Junior Doctor Training School pupils.

Global Partnerships

Science Education

Global partnerships can bring together complementary strengths
and deepen the impact of joint research. BRI is committed
to forming such partnerships and will further develop existing
partnerships. The institute regularly welcomes scientiﬁc visitors fromaround the world and signs MOUs and agreements with overseas
research institutions. BRI also annually hosts international symposia,
which feature fascinating lectures by distinguished scientists fromacross the world.

Partnering with the local Super Science High Schools speciﬁed by
MEXT, BRI scientists visit local highschools to give lectures on neuroscience. BRI is working to nurture the next generation of global
researchers by introducing the attractive world of neuroscience.

Brain Research Institute
NIIGATA UNIVERSITY

1-757 Asahimachidori,Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8585 Japanwww.bri.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/
Published July 2023