Research Highlights

RIKEN is one of Japan’s largest research organizations, with more than 3,000 scientists involved in leading research in centers and institutes across Japan and around the world. Each week, RIKEN RESEARCH highlights the very best of this research from among the thousands of articles published every year by RIKEN researchers in all fields of science and technology, from chemistry, physics, materials and nanotechnology, to genetics, biotechnology, plant science and pharmaceutical research. The Research Highlights are timely and readable summaries of primary research, capturing the most important and significant aspects of the work and written in a style that is accessible to specialists and non-specialists alike. Concise, engaging, and informative, RIKEN RESEARCH highlights introduce readers to world-class scientific discoveries and the researchers who made them.

Weekly Research Highlights

Revealing the stars of brain adaptability

Published in The Journal of Neuroscience

Star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes are found to bridge the gap between global brain activity and localized circuits
Reacting to changing circumstances

Published in Immunity

An analysis of a subset of immune cells reveals how these cells rally defenses against infection while keeping potentially harmful inflammatory reactions in check
Periodic organization that runs deep and wide

Published in The Journal of Neuroscience

Confirmation of repeated patterns of neurons indicates a stereotypical organization throughout the brain’s cerebral cortex
Inside a plant’s pharma factory

Published in The Plant Cell

A newly discovered enzyme brings scientists one step closer to understanding how plants manufacture a molecule with potent medicinal properties
more research highlights »