# Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University
**Wikidata**: [Q130394915](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130394915)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/institute-for-life-and-medical-sciences-kyoto-university

## Summary
The Institute for Life and Medical Sciences (LiMe) is a research institute located at Kyoto University in Japan. Established on October 1, 2016, it was formed by merging the Institute for Virus Research and the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences. Originally named the Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, it was renamed to its current title on April 1, 2022.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Institute for Life and Medical Sciences (current since April 1, 2022).
- **Japanese Name:** 医生物学研究所 (current since April 1, 2022).
- **Former Name:** Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences (active from October 1, 2016, to March 31, 2022).
- **Parent Organization:** Kyoto University.
- **Location:** Japan (Coordinates: 35.019° N, 135.774° E).
- **Inception Date:** October 1, 2016.
- **Predecessor Entities:** Replaced the Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, and the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University.
- **Acronym:** LiMe.
- **Website:** https://www.infront.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en
- **Affiliates:** Li Fan (Computer Scientist).

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Institute for Life and Medical Sciences established?
A: The institute was originally established on October 1, 2016, under the name Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences. It adopted its current name on April 1, 2022.

### Q: What organizations merged to form this institute?
A: The institute was formed by the merger of two previous Kyoto University entities: the Institute for Virus Research and the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences.

### Q: What is the institute's abbreviation?
A: The institute is also known by the alias "LiMe."

## Why It Matters
The Institute for Life and Medical Sciences represents a strategic consolidation of research capabilities at Kyoto University, one of Japan's most prestigious institutions. By merging the specialized focuses of the Institute for Virus Research and the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, the center aims to foster interdisciplinary approaches to complex biological and medical challenges. This integration allows for a convergence of virology, regenerative medicine, and medical biology.

The institute plays a critical role in the academic landscape of Japan, evidenced by its listings in the National Diet Library Authority and the Open Funder Registry. Its continued evolution—marked by its rebranding in 2022 to "Institute for Life and Medical Sciences" (or Medical Biology Institute in Japanese)—reflects an adaptation to modern research priorities. As a hub for scientific study, it supports a wide array of researchers, including those in computer science, indicating a broad, technology-inclusive approach to life sciences.

## Notable For
- **Structural Consolidation:** It unified two distinct historical research bodies (virus research and frontier medical sciences) into a single organization.
- **Nomenclature Evolution:** It has undergone specific renaming, shifting from "Frontier Life and Medical Sciences" to "Life and Medical Sciences" in 2022.
- **Dual Identity:** It operates under the acronym "LiMe" and maintains a specific Japanese identity (医生物学研究所) distinct from its literal English translation.
- **Global Recognition:** It holds distinct identifiers in international academic databases, including Ringgold ID 84090 and Open Funder Registry ID 100016845.

## Body

### Organizational History
The Institute for Life and Medical Sciences was officially founded on October 1, 2016. It was established to replace two pre-existing institutions within Kyoto University: the Institute for Virus Research and the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences. The creation of this institute was a reorganization effort to streamline research efforts in life and medical sciences within the university structure.

### Naming and Rebranding
The institute has operated under two distinct official names during its history:
*   **2016–2022:** From its inception until March 31, 2022, it was known as the "Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences" (Japanese: ウイルス・再生医科学研究所).
*   **2022–Present:** On April 1, 2022, the organization was renamed the "Institute for Life and Medical Sciences" (Japanese: 医生物学研究所). It frequently uses the alias "LiMe."

### Location and Facilities
The institute is situated in Japan as part of Kyoto University. Geographically, it is located at coordinates 35.01892 latitude and 135.7737197222222 longitude. It maintains a web presence for both English and Japanese audiences at `www.infront.kyoto-u.ac.jp`.

### Identifiers and Classifications
The entity is classified as a research institute. It is listed in several authoritative databases:
*   **Ringgold ID:** 84090 (listed as 'Kyoto Daigaku Virus Saisei Ikagaku Kenkyujo').
*   **Open Funder Registry:** 100016845.
*   **NDL Authority IDs:** 032630821 (current name) and 001254251 (former name).
*   **VIAF IDs:** Matches exist for both the current and former organizational names.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.infront.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/history/)
2. [Source](https://www.infront.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/access/)
3. [Source](https://www.infront.kyoto-u.ac.jp/access/)
4. [Open Funder Registry](http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100016845)
5. ROR release v2.5