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| Top page > Greeting from the Director > Greeting from the Adviser-Advisor |
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I am slightly an eccentric scientist who had been studying the replication of the DNA (Genome) of microorganisms for 40 years and then suddenly changed the subject to the biology of insects. I came to BRH last year after retiring from research and education at Universities and since then, I have been studying the relationship between swallowtail butterflies and their host plants. BRH is a novel place, too, where I am allowed to pursue my research with the gusto of a boy who is crazy about insects. My studies have been purely academic and, therefore, have not been readily useful for clinical medicine or industry. Studies like mine have become less welcome even in Universities. Motives for research are: (1) provide type of fun that tickles a person’s curiosity, (2) give one pleasure in solving puzzles with one’s full knowledge, and (3) include an important theme. The first two motives are driven by strong personal interests, whereas the third motive must share a common value(s) with many people. Research that shows the practical side of a technique is easily appreciated. But the harder the practical use of the research becomes, the more difficult the understanding of the importance of that research becomes, and there are conflicting opinions in many cases.
Nature, from microorganisms to space, is filled with unknown things. The knowledge we have gained about nature is a very limited knowledge of a very small portion of nature. If you try to use nature recklessly, based on this limited knowledge of the nature as if you completely understand nature, various contradictions will occur. To value reality as if we don’t know anything about it, and to continue humbly questioning nature, are important. I believe that questions which nobody has ever thought of and which are new and not imitations of anybody else’s are all important themes. The total body of nature is formed by an interaction of numerous materials and living things in order to maintain and evolve the nature in harmony. Therefore, if you master a part of nature, it doesn’t matter which part you choose, you can come close to the universal law of nature.
In BRH, various studies have been conducted in relation to the environment, development, and evolution, as key words. Please visit BRH and let’s experience the interest, pleasure and importance of research together. Also, I would like to discuss with you why, now, in the time of progressing human genome research in the life science, I study Swallowtail butterflies and their host plants.
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JT BRH Adviser Prof. Hiroshi Yoshikawa
May 12, 2002
Born in Hyogo Prof. In 1933
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A Concert Hall for Science
My enthusiastic love for classical music has endured for more than half a century, albeit my never having received any formal education in music and my total incapability of understanding complicated music scores. On the whole, music in the original form created by composers is unapproachable for the general public. The only opportunity for most people to appreciate the beauty of music is solely provided by performers.
Likewise, science is in principle, not readily accessible to people outside the scientific community. It is clear that performers are equally essential to present the wonder and beauty of science. However, such talent is much more difficult to find and their professional authority much less firmly established in our society, compared to their musical counterparts. Therefore, the idea of creating a place where people could enjoy “performances” of scientific research presented through talk, art, music and contemporary auditory and visual technologies, was conceived.
I recall a statement by Dr. Maxine Singer, the President of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, at a meeting held in Japan, that if there is a common world-wide culture, science is its name. This sentiment is the motivating force behind the creation of the Biohistory Research Hall(BRH); to promote such a culture which is easily accessible to the general public. My hope is that what a concert hall does for music, our Research Hall is doing for science. |
Living Organisms are Full of Wonder
Undoubtedly, biology provides one of the most suitable“repertoires”for performances at the BRH, having such immense sources of wonder. The individual phenomena of each organism, from bacteria to mammals, and the inherent beauty of each species are fascinating and awe-inspring. If we could only be given more opportunities to appreciate them, these natural wonders would no doubt give much joy to mankind.
At the BRH, one of our special interests, among many others, focuses on the“changes of organisms with a lapse of time.”These changes include the transformation of fertilized eggs into adults as well as those incurred during evolution over a vast span of time. Through the ongoing effort of scientists, the exciting tales of each living organism are being told in increasing detail. We refer to these historical tales as“biohistory.” This way, concepts utilizing such key words as evolution, ontogeny, biodiversity, DNA, genetic code etc., can be integrated into a single historical story. The topics of our research activities are closely linked to the categories of Developmental Biology and Systematic Biology (based on DNA studies) in modern biological sciences. |
BRH Campaign
The displays in the BRH are open to public throughout the year. Our quarterly magazine, Biohistory, tackles diverse topics dealing with various aspects of biohistory, and is illustrated with color photographs. Our activities are conducted in collaboration with a variety of like-minded people, not only scientists, but artists, musicians, and writers, among others. Ongoing experiments in our research laboratories may be observed by visitors during “laboratory tours.” We organize a “summer school” to allow children to become familiar with modern biology, i.e., how to isolate DNA. Last summer, we started a new course to provide adult amateur naturalists with an opportunity to try PCR techniques in taxonomic studies.
The BRH is, despite its modest scale, a wonderful challenge. We welcome you to enjoy science with us. |
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Tokindo S. Okada,
Director General of the Biohistory Research Hall (1993-2001)
is a Professor Emeritus of Kyoto University and Vice-President
of the International Union of Biological Sciences (1991-present).
Specializing in developmental biology, he has served
as President of the International Society of Developmental
Biologists (1982-86), and has been awarded the Harrison
Prize from the Society (1989). He was Director General
of the National Institute of Basic Biology (1984-89),
as well as President of Okazaki National Research
Institutes (1989-91). In 1995, he received prestigious rank of "Person with Cultural Merit" from the Japanese Government.
(Photo: Kenzi Akagi) |
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Director General
