This is the 8th international gel symposium organaized by Research Group on Polymer Gels, The Society of Polymer Science, Japan(SPSJ). This symposium will address the challenges by focusing on three target areas: 1) fundamental science of gels, 2) role and function of gels in material science and engineering, and 3) applications of gels. Beside coventional applications of gels in food and cosmetics, sensors, separation systems, and optical devices, applications in industry such as MEMS, display techniques, fuel cells, and in bio-science, such as drug delivery, biomedical implants, tissue engineering , and biomimetic materials are included. More than 20 excellent scientists will be invited from Asia, Europe, and America to the symposium. Besides, contributed oral and poster presentation will be programmed.