About

Mission and History of JSNAC

In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick presented the DNA double helix as a detailed chemical structure of the gene, which until then had been only a nebulous concept. The discovery marked the beginning of explosive progress in molecular biology, which studies life phenomena as complex chemical reactions. The technology for artificial alteration of DNA sequences developed into genetic engineering, which acted as a catalyst for the development of biotechnology, the technological application of life phenomena. It goes without saying that the following were cornerstones of all this: the discovery of the DNA double helix by Watson and Crick; research on the chemical modifications of nucleoside and nucleotide analogues by Alexander Todd, who received the Nobel Prize in 1957; the phosphodiester method, which won the 1968 Nobel Prize for Har Gobind Khorana, who had developed it; the development of DNA synthesis method by the phosphoramidite chemistry, followed by the development and growth of automatic DNA synthesizer based on the progress toward solid-phase synthesis.

Nucleic acids were established as chemical substances that control life in molecular biology through the practical application of the antisense method in 1978, as well as the discovery of ribozymes in the 1980s; the presentation of the concepts of SELEX and aptamers in 1990; the discovery of RNA interference and microRNA around 2000; and the completion of the sequencing of the whole human genome. Furthermore, nucleic acids, which are driven by complementary base pairing to form double chains spontaneously, appealed to biologists as well as numerous chemists who launched supramolecular research projects on the nucleic acids. These efforts unraveled nucleic acids’ supramolecular mechanism, and led to new designs of nucleic acids, as well as to research on nanobiomaterials for applications in medical treatments and biomaterials, and eventually to the establishment of the new field, called nucleic acid chemistry.

In the fall of 1973, the first Symposium on Nucleic Acids Chemistry was held at the Institute of Protein Research, Osaka University, as an opportunity for Japan’s nucleic acid chemists to meet and discuss their research findings. Since then, excellent research findings in great numbers have been presented at this annual Symposium, contributing significantly to the development of Japan’s nucleic acid chemistry research. The Symposium grew with each passing year and, in 2005, it became an international symposium attended by guest researchers on the front lines of the field overseas, in order to share Japan’s remarkable nucleic acid chemistry research, not only with the Japanese public but also with the world.

Since the dawn of nucleic acid chemistry, researchers in Japan have made significant contributions to the development of the field by delivering many outstanding research findings that enjoyed international accolades. The pioneering research projects acted as a springboard for further research by many talented nucleic acid chemists.

The International Roundtable on Nucleosides, Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids (IRN3), an international conference for nucleic acid chemists from around the world, is modeled on the Symposium on Nucleic Acids Chemistry in Japan. The academic community of nucleic acid chemists in Japan boasts high-quality work and a great membership, and enjoys attention as an exemplary organization. It plays a central role in the field of nucleic acid chemistry worldwide, as exemplified by hosting IRN3 in Kyoto.

The Symposium on Nucleic Acids Chemistry has attracted numerous researchers in diverse areas in the 40 years since its inception, and is beginning to go far beyond the conventional framework of biology. In other words, nucleic acid chemistry serves as the focal point for the pursuit of the truth about life, as well as for the exploration of theory and its application. To take an overall view of the pursuit and exploration while facilitating comprehensive discussions, a new organization should be established.

With this background, we proposed the establishment of the Japan Society of Nucleic Acids Chemistry (JSNAC). We anticipate that nucleic acid chemistry will achieve considerable development, while absorbing knowledge from different fields. We believe that the objective and mission of JSNAC are to keep delivering Japan’s outstanding research achievements to the world, thereby providing the growing field of nucleic acid chemistry with a launch pad for greater development. We hope the goals of JSNAC resonate with many researchers, and that they will decide to join the Society.