Life and Biological Engineering Field - Faculty Members and Research Themes

Research focuses on the functions, structures, and applications of biomolecules fundamental to life processes, particularly enzymes supporting material and energy metabolism, using enzyme science and enzyme engineering methodologies. Focusing primarily on enzymes related to amino acid metabolism and cofactor-containing enzymes, we investigate the substrate recognition and three-dimensional structures supporting the catalytic functions of multifunctional biological catalysts. Based on this information, we conduct protein engineering research. Additionally, we explore novel enzymes catalyzing industrially useful reactions and pursue their application research. We also investigate functional substances such as D-amino acids in foods, elucidate their biosynthetic mechanisms, and conduct applied research.

Research focuses on proteins related to neurons responsible for higher nervous functions. Investigates intracellular signal transduction mechanisms in neurons using biochemical, molecular biological, and cell biological approaches. Particularly elucidates the mechanisms of action of nerve growth factor (NGF) and related factors involved in neuronal differentiation and survival maintenance (apoptosis defense) at the molecular level using yeast two-hybrid system for protein-protein interaction analysis and cell engineering techniques with cultured animal cells. Additionally, studies intracellular signal transduction mechanisms of apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress and its defense, effects of environmental pollutants on neurons and their defense mechanisms, and epigenetic gene expression regulatory mechanisms involved in neuronal differentiation (neurite extension).

Microorganisms play important industrial roles as producers of various useful substances contributing to our social life, including antibiotics, anticancer agents, and other pharmaceuticals and their lead compounds. Our laboratory conducts research on improving industrially important microorganisms using genetic engineering techniques, and from vast environmental microbial genetic resources provided by next-generation DNA sequencing technology, identifies gene clusters involved in producing novel bioactive substances. We aim to directly connect these unexplored genetic resources to material production and industrial applications through efficient utilization of the latest genetic engineering technologies. Additionally, we challenge the creation of new bioactive substances that do not exist in nature by applying knowledge obtained through biosynthetic research on various bioactive substances using enzymology and genetic engineering approaches. Through these research activities, students acquire not only diverse technical skills in this field but also problem-solving abilities.

Conducts research exploring bioactive substances expected to become pharmaceutical and cosmetic raw materials, and aims to create new drugs. Develops molecular-targeted anticancer agents, gene therapy preparations, melanin production regulators including whitening agents, and drugs expected to improve brain nervous system disorders by utilizing pharmacological and molecular biological methods combined with organic chemistry and natural product chemistry techniques.

Conducts research exploring bioactive substances expected to become pharmaceutical and cosmetic raw materials, and aims to create new drugs. Develops seeds for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods by utilizing pharmacological and molecular biological methods combined with organic chemistry and natural product chemistry techniques.

Various epidemiological studies have shown that shift work is a high-risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases, but practical countermeasures have not been identified. To address such adverse effects of 24-hour society, our laboratory targets the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which is the central site of circadian rhythms, and works to elucidate the molecular neural mechanisms of circadian rhythms, develop compounds that regulate the period length of circadian rhythms and their synchronization ability to external environments such as light-dark cycles, and identify bioactive substances.

Conducts research to clarify the morphogenetic mechanisms of higher plants, that is, how plant shape is determined, and aims to apply this to increase crop production. Unlike animal cells, plant cells are covered by rigid cell walls. Therefore, the positional relationships between adjacent cells are basically fixed by these cell walls, and the dynamic changes in cell positional relationships seen during animal embryonic development do not occur. Consequently, when plant form develops, how cells divide and what shape newly created cells take (cell morphogenesis) are extremely important. The cytoskeleton, represented by microtubules and actin filaments, plays crucial roles in cell division and cell morphogenesis. Research focuses on the functions of various cytoskeleton-related proteins that control these activities.

Focuses on the process by which individuals with various organs develop from fertilized eggs and conducts research using fish such as medaka. Aims to clarify gene expression regulatory mechanisms in early fish development, elucidate disease mechanisms, drug discovery, and search for new disease markers. Also approaches fish strain development for food resources and resource depletion problems.

Numerous microorganisms inhabit the Earth, possessing diverse functions. These functions can be utilized across a wide range of fields, including environmental remediation, food, pharmaceuticals, and chemical products. In this laboratory, we explore and isolate useful microorganisms from diverse environments such as soil, oceans, and rivers. We analyze the genetic information of the isolated microorganisms. Furthermore, based on the obtained genetic information, we advance microbial breeding aimed at environmental purification and material production. Additionally, we are engaged in developing tools to more precisely understand and control the functions of environmental microorganisms, aiming to establish technologies that maximize the potential of microorganisms.

Conducts the following research to understand microbial functions and efficiently produce useful substances: (1) Research to cultivate lactic acid bacteria, which are also useful as probiotics, to concentrations one order of magnitude higher than conventional methods. (2) Research to make lactic acid bacteria efficiently produce polysaccharides with immunostimulatory effects. (3) Research to improve the efficiency of enzymatic saccharification, which is the rate-limiting step in bioethanol production from cellulose.

Microorganisms, as decomposers in ecosystems, are an indispensable group of organisms contributing to the purification of the global environment. On the other hand, they also cause infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Our laboratory aims to discover the unknown capabilities of microorganisms while developing safe and efficient methods for their utilization and control. Our primary research focuses on: (1) Developing microbial control technologies that suppress the growth and functions of microorganisms threatening human health; (2) Isolating bacteria that degrade environmental pollutants and analyzing the enzyme groups and genetic information involved in their functions; (3) Elucidating the mechanisms of genetic information changes (mutations) in microorganisms.

Our intestines harbor a diverse array of gut bacteria that form a microbial community known as the gut microbiota. This microbiota is deeply linked to health, influencing host metabolism and immunity, and it is increasingly recognized that nanoparticles and membrane vesicles released by gut bacteria play a role in its functions. Our laboratory is advancing research to contribute to health maintenance. We are elucidating the functions and release mechanisms of membrane vesicles secreted by gut bacteria and beneficial bacteria, and developing application technologies for functional foods and pharmaceuticals based on these vesicles.

Antimicrobial and sterilization technologies are used in various fields, but the types of target harmful microorganisms and application ranges differ. Using evaluation systems that utilize metagenomic analysis methods, we verify the effects of novel compounds and materials, elucidate mechanisms such as microbial drug resistance acquisition and biofilm formation, and aim to develop new antimicrobial and sterilization technologies to appropriately control them. We also conduct research to apply useful microorganisms to material production and environmental purification.

As represented by alcohol production (ethanol fermentation) and amino acid fermentation, compounds produced by microorganisms are indispensable for enriching human life. These compounds are produced through a series of chemical reactions within microbial cells called "metabolism". By artificially modifying these "metabolic" reactions using genetic engineering technology, we aim to increase production of metabolites and produce chemicals, fuels, and pharmaceutical raw materials that microorganisms do not originally produce. Additionally, microbial communities, which are aggregates of microorganisms, sometimes exhibit advanced functions that cannot be achieved by single microorganisms. By developing technologies to freely modify the constituents and functions of microbial communities, we contribute to strengthening the health promotion functions of intestinal microbiota and crop growth promotion functions of soil microbiota.

Food and nutrition chemistry as a research field is distinct from "bio" represented by microorganisms and DNA. In thesis guidance, students select themes related to food and health, particularly focusing on content and forms of essential trace minerals such as selenium and zinc in foods, functional analysis and oxidation prevention of lipids, and effective utilization of fishery waste. Students learn about functional analysis and nutritional effectiveness of minerals and lipids. In lectures and seminars, topics related to food and health are also addressed, with explanations of related sciences including epidemiology, statistics, animal nutrition experiments, and food culture.

Research focuses on "food", which is indispensable to our daily lives. In thesis guidance, students select themes related to food and health, with research subjects being proteins, lipids, and minerals that constitute food components. Students learn about analysis of health functions of these components, elucidation of functional expression mechanisms, and evaluation of nutritional effectiveness. Also conducts research on changes in flavor and texture during low-temperature aging and storage of foods. Lectures focus on explaining chemical structural changes of nutritional components occurring during food preservation.