2. A SHORT HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTE
In 1960, many physiologists affiliated with the Physiological Society of Japan initiated a discussion on how to establish a central research institute for physiological sciences in this country.
In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the life sciences throughout the world, particularly in the fields of molecular biology, cellular biology and physiology, and in areas concerning information processing and regulatory systems of higher animals. In view of these developments, there was a consensus among physiologists in Japan that a new type of research organization must be created, in parallel with the laboratories in universities, to pursue new approaches in the life sciences.
Through discussions among the physiologists, the following characteristies of such a new institute were considered to be of utmost importance.
- Investigators from different fields should be able to collaborate on research projects in the life sciences with minimal restrictions.
- Research communication among scientists from many fields should be closely coordinated.
- Specialized, large-scale equipment required for multidisciplinary research, not routinely available in smaller laboratories of educational institutions, should be accessible, and proper training and maintenance should be provided.
A Committee for the Foundation of a Physiological Institute was organized by Drs. MOTOKAWA K., KATSUKI Y., NATORI R., TOKIZANE T., INOUE A., UCHIZONO K., and many other leading physiologists in 1965. Thereafter, in order to establish such an institute, considerable effort was made by scientists and related government officials.
The following time table describes the history leading to the foundation of the Institute:
| Nov, 1967 |
The Science Council of Japan officially advised the then Prime Minister, SATO Eisaku, that the establishment of an institute for Physiological Sciences was important, and urgently necessary for the promotion of life sciences in Japan.
The Science Council of the Monbusho (the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture) reported to the Minister of Education, Science and Culture that two institutes for scientific research of biological sciences namely, the Institute for Physiological Sciences and the Institute for Basic Biology, should be established as early as possible.
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| May, 1976 |
The Preparing Office and the Research Council for the establishment of Institutes for Biological Sciences were opened in the Monbusho. |
| May, 1977 |
The Institute for Physiological Sciences (Director-General: Prof. UCHIZONO K.) was officially established which, together with the Institute for Basic Biology, constituted the National Center for Biological Sciences (President: Prof. KATSUKI Y.). Constituents of the Institute for Physiological Sciences at the time of inauguration were as follows.
- Department of molecular physiology
- Division of Ultrastructure Research
- Department of Cell physiology
- Division of Membrane Biology
- Department of Information physiology
- *Division of Neurobiology and Behavioral Genetics
- Special Facilities for Physiological Research
- Technical Division
|
| April, 1978 |
In the second year the following laboratories were added:
- Department of Molecular physiology
- *Division of Intracellular Metabolism
- Department of Information physiology
- Division of Neural Information
- Department of Biological Control System
- Division of Neural Control
|
| April, 1979 |
In the third year the following laboratories were added:
- Department of Cell physiology
- Division of Correlative Physiology
- *Division of Active Transport
- Department of Biological Control System
- *Division of Cognitive Neuroscience
|
| April, 1980 |
The following were added in the fourth year:
- Department of Information physiology
- Division of Humoral Information
- *Division of Learning and Memory Research
- Research Facilities
- Division of Experimental Animals
|
| April, 1981 |
A new organization, Okazaki National Research Institutes, comprised of three independent institutes (Institute for Molecular Science, Institute for Physiological Sciences, and Institute for Basic Biology) was established.
Previously, these institutes had been managed independently. However, on 14 April 1981, they were administratively amalgamated into one organization, and thereafter referred to collectively as the Okazaki National Research Institutes.
|
| April, 1982 |
The following was added:
- Department of Molecular physiology
- Division of Neurochemistry
|
| April, 1984 |
The following was added:
- Department of Biological Control System
- Division of System Neurophysiology
|
| April, 1985 |
Prof. EBASHI S. was elected the Director-General of the Institute.
|
| Octo., 1988 |
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies was founded and in the Institute the School of Life Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences was established.
|
| June, 1990 |
The following were added:
- Department of Integrative Physiology
- Sensory and Motor Function Research Project
- Higher Brain Function Project
- *Autonomic Function Research Project
|
| Dec., 1991 |
Prof. HAMA K. was elected the Director-General of the Institute. |
| April, 1997 |
Prof. SASAKI K. was elected the Director-General of the Institute. |
| April, 1998 |
The following were added:
- Department of Cerebral Research
- Division of Cerebral Structure
- Division of Cerebral Circuitry
- Division of Cerebral Integration
A part of facilities in the complex of Physiological Research Facilities was reformed to the Center for Brain Experiment.
|
| April, 2000 |
Division of Experimental Animals was transferred to the Research Facilities as shown below.
Center for Integrative Bioscience
- Department of Strategic Methodology
- Department of Development, Differentiation and Regeneration
- Department of Bio-Environmental Science
- Research Center for Computational Science
- Center for Experimental Animals
- Center for Radioisotope Facilities
|
| April, 2003 |
The following were added:
- Department of Developmental Physiology
- Division of Behavioral Development
- Division of Homeostatic Development
- Division of Reproductive/Endocrine Development
- *Division of Adaptation Development
|
| April, 2004 |
Established National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS).
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB), National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) and Institute for Molecular Science (IMS) were integrated and reorganized into NINS by reason of enforcement of the National University Corporation Law.
In NIPS, Division of Neurochemistry in Department of Molecular Physiology was renamed to Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Division of Humoral Information in Department of Information Physiology was renamed to Division of Neural Signaling, Department of Biological Control System was renamed to Department of Integrative Physiology, and Division of Cognitive Neuroscience was renamed to Division of Computational Neuroscience, respectively.
The Administration Bureau turned into Okazaki Administration Office of NINS.
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Asterisk(*) denotes adjunct divisions.
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