This panel focuses on the fields relating to basic biology, including genome biology, developmental biology, evolutionary biology, ecology, and anthropology (for details, please refer to 6.1 in Chapter 6 of the Guidelines for Applicants). Young researchers who are pioneering/leading essential and promising research will be supported over the long term and provided with feedback along the way, including constructive criticism from the FOREST POs and advisors, as well as active interactions and information exchange within and among panels. The research areas covered by this panel are diverse but inextricably intertwined, so information exchange among the panel researchers will serve as a foundation for objectively evaluating research and developing it to a higher level. Also, gathering the best and brightest in different fields and networking with different panels is expected to help revisit vague ideas that were not brought to fruition, and provide opportunities for completely new collaborative and fusion research.

Basic science research, clarifies the nature’s disposition one thing at a time, is the driving force that accumulates human knowledge and propels society toward prosperity. Superlative research often originates from the intense motivation and flexible ideas of young researchers. It follows that strategic support for such research is extremely important for enhancing the fundamental strength of basic science in Japan. In order for young researchers to give shape to their free and highly original ideas as research themes and bring them to fruition, they need an environment in which they can have enough time to ruminate upon and work on their research. The members of this panel are committed to working together to ensure that the support provided by this panel will lead to the development of our young researcher's projects, and that the research and discussions conducted through the Fusion Oriented Research for Disruptive Science and Technology will help to improve basic science in Japan. We are looking forward to receiving ambitious research proposals from young researchers and to the opportunity to engage in free and vigorous discussions with you.