I. GENERAL STATEMENT

　National Institute of Genetics (NIG) was established 49 years ago as a center for genetics research. Major contributions of NIG in the research in genetics, in particular, plant genetics, population genetics and molecular and developmental genetics, have made it one of the distinguished centers with worldwide recognition. In 1984, NIG was reorganized into an Inter-university Research Institute to promote collaborative activities. Together with seven inter-university research institutes, we founded the Graduate University for Advanced Studies in 1988. We are serving as Department of Genetics of the Graduate School of Life Science. This year, we have 32 graduate students and 10 special research students from other universities, including those from abroad. Eight students obtained Ph.D. this year. In addition, we have the Center Of Excellence (COE) program with which 5 foreign and 8 Japanese postdoctoral fellows conducted research.

　We have been carrying out several research-related services. The DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) is one of the three central data banks in the world that gather, annotate, store and distribute information on DNA sequences. In recent years, it receives data input not only from Japanese institutions but also from institutes in other Asian countries. Recent development of new technology using various model organisms has enhanced the importance of genetics as the bases of many branches of biological studies. We have established Genetic Strains Research Center and Genetic Resource Information Center that are designed to organize and support the use of genetic strains and resources. Our institute also stores and distributes various organisms with genetically characterized traits. Among them, services with Escherichia coli, mice and Drosophila are particularly significant. These service activities will continue to develop in the coming years. Our institute is uniquely suited for pursuing cooperative work with scientists of various disciplines by sharing the genetic resources.

　This year, we have started two new research groups, Divisions of Early Embryogenesis and of Brain Functions. Such complex biological systems have been new targets of genetics studies. Recent development of various molecular and developmental technologies are now enabling us to genetically dissecting these biological mechanisms. We would like to exploit fundamental and universal nature of genetics to tackle these difficult biological problems. We hope that such new activities will rejuvenate NIG in the 21^st century. 　In the past year we also saw a number of changes in the staff members of NIG. Prof. Takashi Imamura, Division of Human Genetics, and Prof. Hiroko Okino-Morishima, Division of Agricultural Genetics retired at the end of March. We would like to express our gratitude for their contribution to our institute. Newly appointed as professors are Drs. Hiroyuki Araki, Division of Microbial Genetics and Hiroyuki Sasaki, Division of Human Genetics. Dr. Toshihiko Shiroishi was also promoted as a professor of Mammalian Genetics Laboratory, and Prof. Yuji Kohara moved from Gene Network Laboratory to newly established Genome Biology Laboratory. Promoted as research associates are, Dr. Toshihiko Hosoya, Division of Developmental Genetics, Dr. Yoichiro Kamimura, Division of Microbial Genetics, and Dr. Takashi Tada, Mammalian Development Laboratory. On the other hand, the following members left NIG to take new positions to extend their career. Among them are Prof. Satoshi Horai (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Drs. Hong-Wei Cai (Japan Forage Seed Association), Hiroshi Hara (Saitama University), Yasuaki Shirayoshi (Tottori University) and Toshihiko Akiba (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery).

Yoshiki Hotta