In the midst of the information flood of biological data, the role of the bioinformatics technology rises. This technology is expected to provide information to reduce the risk in the experiments and to help the designing of the experimental protocol. For this purpose, we mainly targeted a G protein coupling receptor (GPCR) and developed a computational pipeline which identifies these genes from genome sequences and performs their functional analyses. The applied results have been worked out into an integrated comprehensive functional analysis database (SEVENS). This core technology has become the trigger of collaborative researches, which continues today in a spiral evolutionary form. This flow is the dynamic form that continues advancing by the interaction between the research direction determined by three elements as a driving force and the direction of the life science fields progressing rapidly. The three elements are the core technique matured for a long term, the close cooperation with the experiment researcher, and the environment producing technical incubation.

View full abstract

The Geological Map of Japan 1:50,000 shows fundamental national land information of the subsurface materials of the district, and is multifariously used for resources development, disaster prevention, siting of industrial activities, environment protection, and as the geological standard of the district. It is important basic information for understanding natural environments scientifically and is essential information for the sustainable development of Japan. While geological maps mostly made by universities or companies are for understanding specifically interesting strata or rocks, the 1:50,000 geological maps made by GSJ, AIST comprehensively integrate research results of all strata and rocks in the district and explain the geological evolution of the district. There has never been any paper describing the process in developing the 1:50,000 geological map, which integrates geological research for the district. The author shows his own development process with the 1:50,000 geological maps as examples.

View full abstract

Since late 1990's, the reliability of temperature measurements at high temperatures was remarkably upgraded by establishing the national measurement standards for calibration of thermocouples up to 1550 °C, and by implementing the traceability system. The traceability system, structured as a hierarchical link of calibrations between the national measurement standards and practical measurements, was designed in consideration of various elements such as availability of the measurement standards and sharing the responsibility with accredited calibration laboratories. The optimized scheme for industries in Japan was established by promoting a balanced combination of conventional techniques held by accredited calibration laboratories and progressive technology, taking into account the spread of the progressive technology.

View full abstract

Point of care testing (POCT), the analysis of biomarkers at the patient's side, is a continuously expanding trend in the practice of laboratory diagnosis. Although some POCT devices for the analysis of blood glucose and/or several infectious diseases have been developed, many laboratory tests in almost all hospitals are contracted out to clinical laboratory companies. However, outsourcing of biomarker analysis is time-consuming, high in cost, and requires much blood and reagents. Consequently we are constructing a biomarker analysis system on microchips for the POCT device. In this paper, we show the core technology for the analysis of biomarkers on microchips, and describe the problems and its solutions in the application of microchips for POCT device.

View full abstract

It is of importance to establish the hydrocarbon flow standard which acts as the basis for vast dealings and taxation for hydrocarbons, enforcement of the policy on energy savings and high quality management of industries. As a result of investigation into calibration methods, reliability, and effectiveness, the specification of the national primary standard and the traceability system for hydrocarbon flow in Japan was designed. We took the technical initiative in establishing the traceability system using JCSS (Japan Calibration Service System) as basis of the national primary standard in the limited region of flow rates and various kinds of liquids. The national primary standard of high accuracy and safety has been developed. This project was evaluated through verification of international consistency by way of international key comparisons.

View full abstract

We propose clinico-informatics, as a research field for dealing with risks of information systems based on informatics. In this paper, we consider a model of technology transfer from the authors' experiences, i.e. transferring verification technology to industry in the various fields which involves information system development. A scenario for technology transfer is proposed with the methodology of field-science and we discuss roles of the techniques used in the scenario, for instance, fieldwork, interviews and participant observation.

View full abstract

For the purpose of assisting skill transfer training in small and medium manufacturing industry, an acquisition method of judgment skills of experienced factory workers on shop-floors of metal processing such as forging, casting and plating is proposed. Several software applications based on the method that have been developed and evaluated in the manufacturing factories are also presented. The future vision of skills and skilled workers in the manufacturing industry is also discussed.

View full abstract

The use of cryptographic modules is rapidly expanding throughout the world. Because of this, it is necessary to standardize a security evaluation scheme and to establish a public evaluation and validation program for these modules. Side channel attacks, which extract secret information from the cryptographic module by analyzing power consumption and electromagnetic radiation, are attracting a lot of attention. Research activity on such attacks has intensified recently. However, it is difficult to compare evaluation schemes proposed by different researchers because of differences in the experimental platform or environment. This makes it difficult for other researchers to repeat and verify the results. Therefore, we have developed cryptographic hardware boards and analysis software to serve as a common, uniform evaluation platform for side channel attacks. We have distributed this platform to government, industry, and academic research labs throughout the world in order to facilitate the development of an international standard.

View full abstract

We have just completed the second year of Synthesiology which was launched in 2008. Four issues each of Volumes 1 and 2 were published during the two years, including 49 research papers and 14 articles and interviews. We received various responses from the readers through the questionnaires in each issue. The editors of the journal held a round-table talk on the second anniversary to reflect on the past two years and to project what lies ahead.

View full abstract