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Table 2.2    Basic Concepts and Activities of NIID 
Basic 
Concepts 
Activities 
Research 
¾
 
Basic and applied research on infectious and other intractable diseases associated 
with the immune system. 
¾
 
Molecular biological analyses of the etiological agents as well as the development 
and application of rapid diagnostic methods for important diseases emerging or 
re-emerging and also other traditional diseases 
¾
 
Vaccine development and applied research. 
¾
 
Development of vectors and safety evaluation of gene therapy 
Human 
Resources 
Development 
¾
 
Various group and individual technical training courses on AIDS, poliomyelitis and 
leprosy for overseas trainees. 
¾
 
Planning and execution of training programs for workers at domestic research 
institutes 
Health Care 
Services 
【
Surveillance Services
】
 
¾
 
Collection of reports on the detection of infectious agents from prefectural public 
health institutes and on incidents of infectious diseases from sentinel clinics 
throughout the country.    This information is made accessible to the public.   
¾
 
Conducting epidemiological investigations in the event of an epidemic or the 
outbreak of an infectious disease. 
¾
 
Exchange of information with infectious disease surveillance organizations in other 
countries. 
【
Reference Services
】
 
¾
 
Storing and supplying pathogenic agents 
¾
 
Standardizing the reagents, preparing and supplying reference materials required for 
the diagnosis and surveillance of infectious diseases 
¾
 
Organizing communication network systems in cooperation with prefectural public 
health institutes 
【
National control and other tests and research on the quality control of biological 
products and antibiotics
】
 
¾
 
National control tests to guarantee the efficacy, safety and homogeneity of biological 
products (various vaccines and blood products) for the prophylaxis, therapy and 
diagnosis of infectious and certain noninfectious diseases   
¾
 
Requested tests on biological products, antibiotics, disinfectants, insecticides, and a 
variety of viruses and sera 
¾
 
Production of reference materials, such prophylactics, diagnostic antigens, and 
anti-sera that are anticipated in accordance with future progress in research are being 
produced on a trial basis. 
Prepared by the investigation team 
 
Under assignment from WHO as collaborating centers, some departments of NIID 
have an important international role as top reference institutes for the Western Pacific 
area in the isolation and identification of pathogens, epidemiological investigations and 
diagnosis, the preparation and supply of standard materials, improvement of diagnostic 
antigens, preserving and supplying type cultures, education of technicians, guidance 
for prevention, and information exchanges (see Table 2.3).   
 

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