Keiko Nakamura
    This is our second feature on observation. Dr. Hirokawa has read extensively in all areas of modern biology, with anatomy—whose primary principle is observing the body’s interior—as the starting point. He has achieved stunning success with his research, which represents the epitome of the modern biology. Particularly appealing is the foundation of his beliefs, which is that everything he observes in his work is beautiful. His research is neither engaged exclusively in studying genes, nor is it solely an investigation of proteins. He is asking what it means to be alive. He can see movement because he freezes time in an instant. The aim of observation is, as one might expect, time.
    One article in Research shows the reality of the natural world as shown by an insect that is playing a little dumb. It reexamines the preconceived notion that the predator’s eating habits control the number of his prey. It is also important in field work to observe the natural world in search of a good system and to discover it. Please pay attention carefully to the activity of the stinkbug that Dr. Nishida discovered.
    The second article in Research describes the work of Dr. Hirose, who inquired into the larger meaning of the structure of DNA in its operation. In the modern world, it is important to carefully observe form in the natural world. We were first able to see the operation of DNA when we patiently observed its compaction and unraveling.
Scientist Library features Dr. Yoshikawa, an advisor to the JT Biohistory Research Hall. At the base of his DNA research into the bacillus subtilis lies the spirit of a boy entomologist that has remained constant since his youth.
    We think that expressing the results of an investigation in a form that everyone will recognize, including this card, is a type of research. The question is how to express those results—with beauty, or so that they will be easily understandable. That is also necessary in science. In art, we consider a method for observing and expressing movement with a device used in paintings as a reference.
    There is a biohistory lecture for medical students. In this issue, it is the genome. The analysis of the human genome is complete, and advances are being made in medical treatment based on this knowledge. This work will not result in beneficial medical treatment unless the relationship between the human genome and oneself is kept in mind. Think of this while looking at the contrivance. We had a real sense that there are many hints for thinking about life within the word observation.