神原 秀記
Hideki Kambara

Hitachi, Ltd. Fellow　　
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Professor
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Visiting Professor

　Over the many years, understanding life at the molecular level via molecular biology has brought about great success. Following this trend, we have subsequently succeeded in analyzing the human genome and due to this, it has now become an era in which we are able to understand life further in detail with reference to the large amounts of genomic and proteomic information in hand.
　From the introduction of DNA sequencing to the various analytical tools and technology supporting these advancements, there is still a need for new analytical tools, devices and technologies. We know that from the large amounts of data in hand, these data only represents the average of a total cell population. Although we are still able to understand and learn new phenomenons of life, it is still challenging for us to further understand in detail the events that may occur behind these "averaged" data. A tissue, for example, comprises of a cluster of unique individual cells that are grouped together in which dynamic changes occur among the cells within the tissue. However, we still lack the ability to understand these details due to the lack of quantitative and qualitative technologies or techniques. Thus, the technologies and techniques that we newly seek are those that should have the capability to measure and analyze the changes or characteristics of the single individual cells within the cell population.
　In other words, technologies and techniques that can measure intracellular components of a single cell would not only provide information that can be feed backed to currently available knowledge but would also provide a huge impact to society. In conjunction to the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas：Lifesurveyor (2005 - 2009), basic technologies for single cell analysis have been developed and with the collaboration between domestic and international research groups, the international symposium "The International Workshop on Approaches to Single-Cell Analysis" was established.
　Therefore, in order to develop single cell technologies that would suit future needs including measurement, data analysis and the development of new materials, there is a need for the establishment of a starting point. We believe that this society provides that starting point allowing researchers of various backgrounds to collaborate and promote the sharing of knowledge between the different fields via symposiums etc. We hope that such a collaboration would lead to the establishment of new high-end technologies and the establishment of new research areas and fields.
　Finally, we look forward and welcome those who share similar interests to join us and spearhead the field of single-cell analysis.