1. Joint research projects to be proposed
(1) General collaborative project
(2) Planned collaborative project (NIPS)
Themes:
(i) Ultrastructure analysis of biological specimens by cutting-edge electron microscopy
(ii) Functional and morphological analyses of cells and tissues by multi-photon excitation microscopy
(iii) Development and supply of viral vectors and gene-transfer to primates
(iv) Multi-dimensional fluorescence imaging analysis with a multi-point scanning microscope
(v) Elucidation of the pathology of mental/neurological diseases by analyzing neural activity dynamics
(vi) Visualization of white matter fiber bundles and brain microstructure by analyzing brain imaging data
(3) Planned collaborative project (Center for Animal Resources and Collaborative Study)
Themes:
(i) Production of animal models
(ii) Analysis of behavior and physiological functions of mice and rats
(A) Evaluation of behaviors related to emotions, learning, and memories, and analyses of neural and muscular activities
(B) Non-invasive 4D cardiac function and capillary blood flow ultrasound imaging in mice
(C) Functional analysis of neuroimmune interactions in mouse models of diseases
(D) Multicellular activity measurement and manipulation in vivo
(E) Physiological measurements and analysis in vivo
(iii) Behavioral and neural activity analysis of macaque monkeys
*Some of the planned collaborative projects of the Center for Animal Resources and Collaborative Study (hereinafter referred to as the “Animal Resource Center”) were conducted as planned collaborative projects at NIPS until fiscal year (FY) 2021 and have been transferred to the Animal Resource Center.
(4) NIPS Research Meeting
(5) NIPS International Workshop
(6) Cooperative study by functional imaging
2. Research Term
April 1st, 2025, to March 31st, 2026
Details of the Call for Proposals
I. General collaborative projects
1) Outline:
A general collaborative project is a project on a research theme proposed by a representative researcher and conducted by multiple researchers. The representative researcher must be a researcher (or the equivalent) who does not belong to NIPS, and at least one or more NIPS professors or associate professors must participate in each project.
2) Other:
No project can be conducted for over 5 years on the same research theme. When making an application for ongoing projects, please indicate the updates from the previous year's proposal in your application.
II. Planned collaborative projects (NIPS)
1) Outline:
Planned collaborative projects are conducted on research themes designated by NIPS and are listed below.
Themes
(i) Ultrastructure analysis of biological specimens by cutting-edge electron microscopy
Using the most advanced cryo-electron microscopy techniques, such as those involving the phase-contrast method, we perform single-particle analysis of proteins and tomographic analysis of cells. We also use microtome-integrated scanning electron microscopy to reconstruct the three-dimensional ultrastructure model of specimens at a resolution of dozens of nanometers.
(Person in charge) Project Prof. MURATA (Division of Structural Biology), Prof. FURUSE (Division of Cell Structure), and Adjunct Prof. OHNO (Division of Ultrastructural Research)
(ii) Functional and morphological analyses of cells and tissues by multi-photon excitation microscopy
We perform intracellular signal transduction and functional analysis of cell morphology in vivo and in vitro using fluorescence microscopy with two-photon excitation or fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).
(Person in charge) Assoc. Prof. MURAKOSHI (Section of Multiphoton Neuroimaging) and Assoc. Prof. NARUSHIMA (Division of Homeostatic Development)
(iii) Development and supply of viral vectors and gene transfer to primates
In recent years, the performance of viral vectors has improved as a gene transfer technique in the central nervous systems of mice, rats, primates and the like. The Section of Viral Vector Development of the Supportive Center for Brain Research has developed novel high-frequency conventional lentiviral vectors and various serotypes of adeno-associated viral vectors that can be manipulated in a pathway-selective manner. The various viral vectors we have developed are and will continue to be used in projects. Furthermore, in order to clarify higher brain function, we will use viral vectors to introduce genes into primates such as macaques and marmosets to perform morphological, physiological, and behavioral analysis.
(Person in charge) Assoc. Prof. KOBAYASHI (Section of Viral Vector Development): preparation and provision of viral vectors
Prof. ISODA (Division of Behavioral Development): gene transfer into primates
(iv) Multi-dimensional fluorescence imaging analysis with a multi-point scanning microscope
We conduct joint research with our original multi-point scanning confocal/two-photon microscope. In particular, we quantitatively visualize and analyze various cell physiological functions, including circadian rhythms, with high-speed 3D, ultra-long-term, multicolor, and super-resolution observations.
(Person in charge) Prof. NEMOTO (Division of Biophotonics)
(v) Elucidation of the pathology of mental/neurological diseases by analysis of neural activity dynamics
We study the relationship between human and animal neural activity dynamics and the pathology of various mental and neurological diseases by combining unit recording, local field potentials (LFPs), electrocorticography (ECoG), scalp electroencephalography (scalp EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) in a multi-layered manner. In particular, we analyze neural activity dynamics such as vibration, synchronization, and fluctuation from the perspective of nonlinear dynamics and computational theory.
(Person in charge) Prof. KITAJO (Division of Neural Dynamics)
(vi) Visualization of white matter fiber bundles and brain microstructure by analyzing brain imaging data
We conduct collaborative research to visualize microstructures in white matter fiber bundles, cortical gray matter regions, and neuronal nuclei by analyzing human or animal brain tructural images acquired using MRI and other techniques
(Person in charge) Prof. TAKEMURA (Division of Sensory and Cognitive Brain Mapping)
2) Contact person: Before submitting any proposal, please consult with NIPS members indicated above according to your interest.
3)Others: No project can be conducted for over 5 years on the same research theme. When making an application for ongoing projects, please indicate the updates from the previous year's proposal in your application.
III. Planned collaborative projects (Animal Resource Center)
1) Overview
Planned collaborative projects are conducted on research themes designated by the Animal Resource Center and are listed below. Accepted projects will be conducted at the Animal Resource Center facilities.
(Themes)
(i) Production of animal models
We produce genetically modified rats and mice and develop model animals that are useful for physiological and neuroscience experiments.
Please note that as a general rule, the animals produced by these collaborative projects must be preserved as public bioresources, and details regarding the animals must be available to the public.Please therefore deposit produced animals in the National BioResource Project (rats: Institute of Laboratory Animals Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University; mice: Riken BioResource Research Center) within 3 years after completion of the project.
(Person in charge) Prof. NISHIJIMA (Section for development of advanced animal models, Animal Resource Center, Section of Multilayer Physiology, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior)
(Note) Until FY 2021, this theme was conducted at NIPS as a joint research theme titled “Physiological and neuroscientific analysis of genetically modified model animals.”
(ii) Analysis of behavior and physiological functions of mice and rats
We measure behaviors and physiological of mice and rats, including disease models.
This year we focus on mouse analyses. The items analyzed and the persons in charge are listed below:
(Analyzed items, persons in charge)
(A) Evaluation of behaviors related to emotions, leaning, and memories, and analyses of neural and muscular activities
Open field, light/dark transition test, elevated plus-maze, forced swimming, rotarod test, passive avoidance, fear conditioning, and Morris water maze tests, Barnes circular maze test, recordings of neural (single unit, local field potential, etc.) and muscular activities under awake states
(Person in charge), Assistant Prof. CHIKEN (Section for physiological analysis of animal models, Animal Resource Center, Section of Multilayer Physiology, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior)
(B) Non-invasive 4D ultrasound imaging of cardiac function and capillary blood flow in mice and cardiac function measurement using isolated perfused hearts
(Person in charge) Prof. NISHIDA (Division of Cardiocirculatory Signaling)
(C) Functional analysis of neuroimmune interactions in mouse models of diseases
(Person in charge) Prof. MURAKAMI (Section of Multiphoton Neuroimaging)
(D) Multicellular activity measurement and manipulation in vivo
We measure activities of brain cell groups under awake conditions, mainly using bioimaging techniques. Furthermore, by manipulating such cell groups with holographic microscopy, the causal relationships between such cell group activities and the subject’s behaviors can be demonstrated.
(Person in charge) Prof. WAKE (Division of Multicellular Circuit Dynamics)
(E) Physiological measurements and analysis in vivo
We measure electrical activities of brain nerve cells, mainly via electrophysiological analysis, and correlate the measurement results with bioelectrical signals from tests such as electrocardiograms and electromyograms.
(Person in charge) Prof. WAKE (Division of Multicellular Circuit Dynamics)
(iii) Behavioral and neural activity analysis of macaque monkeys
Using macaque monkeys as model animals, we will mainly evaluate social behavior and measure and analyze social-related neural activity.
(Person in charge) Prof. ISODA (Division of Behavioral Development)
2) Person in charge
Before submitting any proposal, please meet in advance with one of the members listed above, as appropriate based on your interest.
3) Overview of equipment used for analyzing metabolic physiology in mice and rats
Please refer to Annex 2.
4) Other:
No project can be conducted for over 5 years on the same research theme. When making an application for ongoing projects, please indicate the updates from the previous year's proposal in your application.
IV. NIPS Research Meeting
1) Purpose and Overview
The NIPS research meeting is a relatively small group meeting (about 100 people or fewer) for debating the creation of new academic fields and developing new technologies. At least one NIPS professors or associate professors must participate in each meeting. Travel expenses of participants will be partly borne by NIPS.
2) Duration
The duration of each research meeting cannot be longer than 3 days.
3) Venue
As a general rule, in-person and hybrid (both in-person and virtual) meetings must be carried out at a facility located within the Okazaki area of NINS. Virtual-only meetings may be accepted.
Please note that you can hold a meeting in the Okazaki Conference Center (OCC) of NINS (
https://sites.google.com/orion.ac.jp/occ/). For details on reservation procedures, please contact the Joint Research Section of the International Research Cooperation Division (r7133@orion.ac.jp).
In addition, to contribute to the research communities surrounding NIPS and to Japanese universities, we plan to annually adopt one proposal (or more if possible) for both a NIPS research meeting and a NIPS international workshop outside the NINS Okazaki area. Preferably the venue will be a university or other related institute. As a general rule, the research meeting cannot be held in conjunction with any other event, such as an academic conference or the like. Travel expenses for these research meetings will be handled in accordance with the rules for those held in the Okazaki area.
4) Others
If any research meeting is to be held on the same theme for more than 3 years, its significance must be reviewed. If you desire to continue the meetings for over 3 years, we expect a new development to be included in the proposal.
Please pay special consideration to gender equality when selecting participants in the proposed project.
We welcome meetings that allow participants to join online.
V. NIPS International Workshop
1) Purpose and Overview
To promote the internationalization and development of NIPS, we hold a NIPS International Workshop that invites several scientists from around the world. The Workshop is held in English. You can submit the same content as both a NIPS Research Meeting proposal and a NIPS International Workshop proposal. If both of the proposals are approved, the project will be held as an International Workshop. We plan to adopt one to three proposals for the International Workshop every year.
At least one or more NIPS professors or associate professors must participate in each workshop. The expected number of participants in a Workshop is 50 to 100. The International Workshops are relatively small events compared to the NIPS International Symposium, which is held once or twice every year.
2) Duration
The duration of an International Workshop cannot be longer than 3 days.
3) Venue
As a general rule, in-person and hybrid (both in-person and virtual) meetings must be carried out at a facility located within in the Okazaki area of NINS. Virtual-only meeting may be accepted.
Please note that you can hold a meeting in the Okazaki Conference Center (OCC) of NINS (
https://sites.google.com/orion.ac.jp/occ/). For details on applying for its use, please contact the Joint Research Section of the International Research Cooperation Division (r7133@orion.ac.jp).
In addition, to contribute to the research communities surrounding NIPS and to Japanese universities, we plan to annually adopt one proposal (or more if possible) for both a NIPS research meeting and a NIPS international workshop outside the NINS Okazaki area.
VI. Cooperative studies by functional imaging
1.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner
1) Research themes
For collaborative studies using our MRI scanner, we have defined the following two research themes. Under these themes, researchers inside and outside NIPS aim to comprehensively elucidate biological functions from the molecular level to the individual level.
i) Non-destructive, 3-dimensional observation of the inside of living organisms
ii) Continuous observation of morphological and energy states associated with biological activities (including brain activation tests)
Please note that our 7 tesla magnetic resonance device will be used for technical examination and development related to imaging and image processing for a while.
2) Overview of the MRI scanner installed at NIPS
Please refer to Annex 3. The dual fMRI/hyperscan MRI system (two Siemens 3T Verio scanners) for simultaneous measurement of two subjects is scheduled to be stopped at the end of FY2025. If applicant wish to use this system, please submit an application after discussing your research plan, etc. with your NIPS host researcher.
3) Before submitting any proposal, please consult with one of the NIPS members listed below based on your interest.
Prof. TAKEMURA (Division of Sensory and Cognitive Brain Mapping)
Project. Prof. FUKUNAGA (Section of Brain Function Information)
Prof. KITAJO (Division of Neural Dynamics)
Prof. ISODA (Division of Behavioral Development)
4) Other
When making a proposal, please select a theme that will enable the project to be completed within three years. If you are making an application for ongoing projects, please indicate the updates from the previous year's proposal in your application.