Message from Chairman of the Board

On April 1, 2026, I was appointed as the Chairman of the Protein Research Foundation. I believe that my responsibility for the Foundation is to preserve and further develop the Foundation, which was rebuilt under the leadership of Professors Saburo Aimoto and Toshiharu Hase, both distinguished scholars who built their academic careers at the Institute for Protein Research (IPR) at Osaka University.	Kenichi AKAJI, Chairman of the Board
The Protein Research Foundation originally began as an internal organization of the Institute for Protein Research at Osaka University and was established in 1962 as a foundation certified by the Minister of Education. Since then, the Foundation’s primary mission has been to support protein and peptide research at the Institute for Protein Research Osaka University.
However, after the Institute was designated as a Joint Research Center for Protein Research in 2010, the Foundation expanded its focus to support the nationwide community of protein and peptide researchers.
During this period, the Foundation’s peptide synthesis activities expanded substantially, and in 1977 its business division was established as an independent entity under the name of Peptide Institute Co., Ltd. Today, the Peptide Institute continues to play a pivotal role in advancing peptide research not only in Japan but throughout the international scientific community, while also making significant contributions to fundamental research in peptides and related fields of chemistry. In 2013, the Foundation transitioned to a General Incorporated Foundation in accordance with the New Public Interest Corporation System introduced in 2008. The Foundation’s achievements over the past six decade have been made possible through the dedicated efforts of its staff and leadership of its seven former presidents. As Chairman, I am committed to upholding the Foundation’s distinguished legacy while further enhancing its contributions to the scientific community. In particular, I hope to support and encourage the next generation of researchers in the field of protein and peptide sciences.
Research on proteins and peptides has advanced remarkably over the past half-century. This progress has expanded both basic and applied research across the field of life and materials sciences. In recent years, rapid progress in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technologies has further accelerated development in these fields. The number of academic publications related to proteins has increased dramatically, while funding agencies and organizations supporting this research continues to grow. Under these circumstances, I believe that the Foundation must continue to refine and modernize its activities to ensure that its support for protein and peptide research remains meaningful and impactful in the years ahead. At the same time, I firmly believe that protein research will continue to play an essential role in opening new academic frontiers and contributing societal development.
As Chairman, my foremost priority is to support researchers engaged in pioneering and challenging scientific endeavors. I sincerely look forward to your continued understanding, support, and cooperation towards the activities of the Protein Research Foundation.
We appreciate your understanding, support, and cooperation. April 2026
Kenichi AKAJI Chairman of the Board Protein Research Foundation