Mission of RIKEN BRC | RIKEN BioResource Research Center

RIKEN BioResource Research Center (RIKEN BRC), as one of the frontiers of research infrastructure centers, contributes to advancement of life science and human welfare in the 21st century

The 5th Mid-to Long-term Plan of RIKEN BRC(7 years:2025-2031)

Mission and overview of RIKEN BRC

It is now well recognized that bioresources are indispensable in life science research. As one of core infrastructure centers in the world for research and development of science, technology and innovation, RIKEN BRC strategically and systemically receives deposit/donation, manages, upgrades and distributes bioresources and the associated information. RIKEN BRC conducts the following three Programs:

Bioresource Infrastructure Program focusing on five important bioresources of the world’s highest level and their associated information.
Key Technology Development Program in order to effectively, efficiently and sustainably conduct the Bioresource Infrastructure Program.
Bioresource Frontier Program in order to respond appropriately and timely to social and research trends and needs.

In addition, training courses for technology transfer and dissemination of technologies to the research community as well as public relations activities are actively conducted.

1Bioresource Infrastructure Program

RIKEN BRC receives, preserves and distributes cutting edge bioresources and information by comprehending accurately social and research trends and needs. RIKEN BRC is focusing on the following five bioresources and associated information:

Experimental Animal Division: mouse strains
Experimental Plant Division: experimental plants such as Arabidopsis and Brachypodium
Cell Engineering Division: cultured cell lines of human and animal origin including iPS cells
Gene Engineering Division: DNA materials of human, animal and microbial origin
Microbe Division: microbial strains including microbial strains of bacteria, archaea, fungi classified in Risk Group 1 or 2.
Integrated Bioresource Information Division: Information associated with the five bioresources

In order to promote the most efficient and effective use and application of these bioresources, we provide cutting-edge handling technologies and information. Furthermore, RIKEN BRC is developing its own quality management system specialized for operations of bioresource project, based on 19 years of experience in implementing the ISO 9001:2015 international quality management standards. This system is implemented across all resources, allowing us to provide the world’s highest quality level bioresources that ensure the reproducibility of research results.

2Key Technology Development Program

We execute research and development strategies to create the key technologies necessary for bioresource infrastructure. Specifically, we are developing techniques for cryopreservation, nuclear transfer, ICSI, and generation of mouse models and high-quality stem cell lines in mice. In addition, we participate in the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium and organize information related to gene function by analyzing mouse phenotypes. We also provide training courses that encourage the widespread use of these techniques.

Integrative Developmental Engineering Division
Mouse Phenomics Division

3Bioresource Frontier Program

Based on the strength of our five world-class bioresources, we conduct research and development projects that promote breakthroughs in the life sciences, through internal and external collaborations with academia and companies. Our projects will lead to the solution of academic, medical, and social issues.

iPSC-based Drug Discovery and Development Team
iPS Cell Advanced Characterization Research Team
Next Generation Human Disease Model Research Team
Transcriptome-Epigenome Research Team
Developmental Genome Plasticity Research Team

Through the implementation of the above programs, RIKEN BRC as a research infrastructure is committed to contribute to the advancement of life sciences.