JAPANESE TOP Message from the Director Information Faculty list Research Cooperative Research Projects Entrance Exam Publication Job Vacancy INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Links Access HANDBOOK FOR INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS Map of Inuyama
TOPICS
BONOBO Chimpanzee "Ai" Crania photos Itani Jun'ichiro archives Open datasets for behavioral analysis Guidelines for Care and Use of Nonhuman Primates(pdf) Study material catalogue/database Guideline for field research of non-human primates 2019(pdf) Primate Genome DB

Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University
Inuyama, Aichi 484-8506, JAPAN
TEL. +81-568-63-0567
(Administrative Office)
FAX. +81-568-63-0085

Copyright (c)
Primate Research Institute,
Kyoto University All rights reserved.

Contact
Japanese

Message from the Director

Primatology is a research field, which aims to elucidate the subject of “what is human” or “what makes us human”. Our institute, The Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University (KUPRI) studies human and non-human primates from the wide perspectives of KURASHI (field), KARADA (body), KOKORO (mind), and GENOMU (genome). To pursue these perspectives, our organization consists of 10 research sections and 2 centers, each with their specific research subjects and missions. Through multidisciplinary research from the field to genome, we investigate “human nature” by the comparison of all biological aspects of human and non-human primates.

Our institute was established in 1967, and this year marks the 46th anniversary of its founding. Based on the many excellent accomplishments of our pioneering colleagues, we are at the beginning of the development of a new vision. By obtaining precise scientific knowledge of the many different non-human primate species, we can better begin to understand humans. The Order Primates began to evolve some 65 million years ago, and today there are about 250 species. We endeavor to elucidate the links among primate species by investigating the mechanisms of speciation and functional expression.

Collaborative research is an important mission of KUPRI. In 2010 we were designated as a Joint Usage / Research Center by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT), and are promoting education and research as a comprehensive research center of primatology. We provide the facilities, materials and the opportunity for both domestic and overseas researchers to conduct collaborative research in primatology, as well as promote and coordinate systematic collaborations. These activities are anticipated to provide a driving force and a hub of primatological development in Asia, forming networks among researchers internationally and multidisciplinary. Graduate level education at KUPRI is conducted within the Division of Biological Science in the Graduate School of Science.

For the future growth of primatology, the accumulation of semi-permanently preserved samples of cells, genes, tissues, skeletons, and whole body specimens, as well as our primate colonies, are very important and essential. We are also attempting to gain novel insights with new perspectives using iPS cells, the genome and so on.

We will continue to increase our effort for the ongoing development of primatology. Your support and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

1st April, 2013

Hirohisa Hirai, Ph. D.
Director of Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University