The workshop for media personnel, "2^nd Forefront of life sciences led by K computer!" was held on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. The purpose of this workshop was to widely inform press personnel of research achievements delivered by integrating this cutting edge supercomputer with life science, as well as of new science dreams arising out of such achievements. Four representatives tackling research subjects under Strategic Programs for Innovative Research Field 1 Supercomputational Life Science (SCLS), and two representatives tackling priority issues for the post-K computer, delivered lectures from the Tokyo Liaison Office of RIKEN and RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science (via teleconference).
  Six lecturers gave stimulating presentation of the research objectives, the achievements exclusively attained by the K computer, and the future application and evolution in industrial areas under the four research subjects: "Hierarchical integrated simulation for predictive medicine," "Analysis of the molecular dynamics of proteins and nucleic acids in cellular environments," "Innovative drug development enabled by the supercomputer" and "Large-scale analysis of life data," peppered with their own future initiatives and dreams. Also covered were the future prospects for the potential breakthrough achievements soon to be witnessed in the field of life sciences thanks to the projects of the post-K, which is expected to succeed the K computer, under the titles, "Integrated computational life science for individualization and preventive medicine" and "Drug development innovation enabled by the post-K."
  According to the results of the questionnaire survey conducted afterward, what impressed the participants were the research activities directed at understanding the diversity of abnormalities in cancer, the results of ATL,s large-scale analysis, and the cranial nerve system and musculo-skeletal system, indicating their wide-ranging interests in diverse research fields. The workshop sessions were held in Tokyo and Kobe in the presence of a number of press personnel. We appreciate their attendance and strong interest. For a summary of the lectures and non-classified presentation documents, please visit the website of SCLS (http://www.scls.riken.jp/information/material.html).

  SCLS comes to an end in March 2016. To present its final achievements, a symposium titled "- The K computer creates the future of science and society Supercomputational Life Science 2015 (SCLS2015)" was held in the Takeda Hall on the Asano Campus of The University of Tokyo, on Tuesday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 21, 2015. This two-day symposium was attended by 143 persons including those from educational institutions, research institutions, private companies and governmental entities, as well as general citizens.
  At the international workshop held on the first day, four researchers from overseas laboratories and four researchers from SCLS delivered lectures to present the research activities being conducted at the forefront of computational life sciences. At the achievement report session held on the second day, 15 SCLS researchers reported the latest research achievements attained through use of the K computer, such as analysis of intercellular molecular dynamics based on molecular dynamics simulation, prediction of binding of drug development candidate compounds based on high-precision binding free energy calculation, hierarchical integrated simulation, and exhaustive analysis of abnormalities in cancer, and received a great response from the attendees. The poster session was attended by 29 persons, and offered an opportunity for participants in the symposium to exchange opinions and information in a lively and active way.
  With positive comments such as "I realized that unprecedented achievements are being made at a pace which was unthinkable only five years ago," and "I believe that some of the software programs and approaches developed by them have sufficient potential for leading the world," we are pleased that this symposium provided a precious opportunity to think about the future of computational life sciences, whose importance is increasing as part of the further development of life sciences. Taking this occasion, we would like to extend our cordial thanks to all the lecturers and participants.