First, many scientists both in and outside Japan have continued to offer their generous assistance for the publication of our journal and organization of our exhibitions. One example was the photo exhibition of “The Cell,” for which ten biologists in the fields of cell and developmental biology kindly contributed photographs. Dr. Nobutaka Hirokawa (University of Tokyo) generously let us use many of his photographs including those of kinesin motor proteins. We also regularly ask scientists to describe their research in our quarterly journal Biohistory to allow non-specialists better access to the forefront of research progress. Many foreign researchers kindly spared time for interviews or discussions.
Our research project on the evolution of Carabinae ground beetles (event report) is fine example of collaboration between professional biologists and amateur beetle enthusiasts who often have a remarkable depth of knowledge on the insects. We organized a network through which we could exchange ideas and research results. It was these amateurs (though they are professional in terms of their enthusiasm and knowledge on the beetles) who went out in the field to collect insects from all over Japan.
Many people outside biology also participated in our activities in a variety of ways: Artists, graphic designers, musicians, and researchers in diverse fields, including social sciences and literature. Artists contributed their work for display in our exhibition hall. Korean artist Jae Eun Choi'swork using butterflies gives a fresh welcome to our visitors. Junko Mada made several artistic objects inspired by animals. Masashi Kimura, a scientific illustrator trained at the Smithsonian Institution was in charge of designing many of our displays in the exhibition hall. We also collaborated with the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra (conductor: Michiyoshi Inoue) to perform “science opera” in April, 1995 (event report). More performances with them are planned in 1997. Other people contributed articles and essays to Biohistory. |
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The Biohisutory Research Hall, where science meets art and where scientists meet people.
The exhibition hall seen through the glass balls in one of Junko Mada's art works.
[Photo: Naruaki Onishi] |
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 Nobutaka Hirokawa of the University of Tokyo at "The Cell" exhibition. The round black object is an art work by Jae Eun Choi, "Moment and Life" which is installed in the exhibition hall entrance of the Biohistory Research Hall. A butterfly that was placed inside can be seen through a magnifying lens in the center. |
| Many scientists from abroad helped us. |
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 Cornelia I. Bargmann [University of California, San Francisco, USA] |
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 Nicole Le Douarin
[CNRS, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Embryology, France] |
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 Walter J. Gehring [University of Basel, Switzerland] |
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 Simon Conway Morris [University of Cambridge, UK] |
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 James D. Ebert [Former President of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, USA] |
| [Photo 1,4 : Yoshiki Geka] |
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Collaborations
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