The laboratory for Research & Development of Biological Databases is led by Professor Hideaki Sugawara to carry out research and development in the field of bioinformatics. The lab especially concentrates in the development of information system for the capture, accumulation, evaluation and analysis of data aiming at squeezing information and knowledge from factual data. The lab is the pioneer in the development of bio-Web services in Japan to integrate distributed heterogeneous biological information resources in the Internet.

By utilizing the accomplishment of the research and development, the laboratory also carries out such important international tasks as DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) and WFCC-MIRCEN World Data Centre for Microorganisms (WDCM). They carefully design modular systems which will be flexible, scalable and effective in daily use. We also participate in such projects as JST BIRD, Genome Informatics (namely GIB family), Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and OECD Biological Resources Centre.