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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Da-Hong WANG
- Research Field
Environmental Public Health, Environmental Biochemistry
- Keyword(s)
Environment, Assessment of Exposure Effects, Functional Foods, Disease Prevention, Biomarkers
- Research theme
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- Assessment of exposure effects of environmental substances
- Development of Functional foods
- Examining the psychological and physiological effects of the forest environment on humans
Outline of research activitiesWe are developing the simple and effective methods for screening oxidative stress-induced environmental substances, and the functional foods to control the toxicity of environmental substances. Furthermore, in order to understand the psychological and physiological effects of the forest environment on humans, we are conducting comparative studies using biological oxidative and antioxidant biomarkers as indicators.
- Desired cooperation
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- Health assessment of functional foods
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Hideya ANDO
- Research Field
Behavioral Ecology and Conservation Science
- Keyword(s)
Melanin, Ultraviolet light, Skin whitening cosmetics
- Research theme
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- Analysis of the mechanism of melanin movement within the skin.
- Evaluation of the inhibitory effect of melanin synthesis using cultured human skin cells.
- Study on the ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.
Outline of research activities- Desired cooperation
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- Screening of a skin lightening agent based on a novel mechanism.
- Research for an activator of mitochondria and for an anti-aging agent.
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Jun NAOHARA
- Research Field
Environmental analytical chemistry, Water processing technology, Ultimate analysis
- Keyword(s)
Advanced Oxidation Process, Toxic element, Ultraviolet rays processing, ICP-MS
- Research theme
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- Decomposition of environmental polluted material by AOP method.
- Ultimate analysis of the biospecimen and environmental sample by ICP-MS.
- Water processing technology development with the excimer lamp.
Outline of research activities· We establish a water processing technology with the excimer lamp which does not include mercury. We perform the characteristic evaluation of the new source of light and consider whether we are established as a substitute new technology.
· The element concentration of human hair living in the same area and element concentration in water to drink are measured by ICP-MS. We examine relationship between toxic element concentration in hair and water element concentration.
· The production distinction of the farm products by stable isotope ratio analysis and the trace element analysis and marine products is studied.- Desired cooperation
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- Technology development of the treatment of environmental pollution material.
- Ultimate analysis of the environmental sample and biospecimen.
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Ken-ichiro HAYASHI
- Research Field
Agrochemistry, Plant Science, Chemical Biology
- Keyword(s)
Plant hormone, auxin, Plant growth regulator
- Research theme
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- Metabolic pathway of plant hormone auxin.
- Design and synthesis of auxin derivatives
- Development of plant growth regulator
Outline of research activitiesWe have been working on the mechanism of inactivation of the plant hormone auxin. In one of our research projects, we have discovered potent plant growth regulator, designated as KAKEIMIDE, which is a potent inhibitor of the GH3 enzyme that inactivate auxin. Auxin degradation inhibitor in plants can regulate auxin levels in various plant species, including crops, and thus promote rooting of cuttings and fruit set and enlargement of fruits.
- Desired cooperation
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- Synthesis and evaluation of plant growth regulator
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Kohji ISHIHARA
- Research Field
Biocatalysis Chemistry, Enzyme Chemistry
- Keyword(s)
Enzyme, Fermention, Asymmetric Synthesis, Biomass
- Research theme
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- Search for Novel Biocatalysts and its Application to Medicine and pharmacology
- Molecular Biological Analysis of Useful Microbial Enzymes
- Development of Bio-refinery Technology with Biological Function
Outline of research activities- Desired cooperation
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- Screening for Useful Microorganisms
- Microbial Fermentation
- Enzyme Application Technology
- Development of Bio-refinery Technology
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Koji MATSUURA
- Research Field
Physiology, Microfluidics,Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
- Keyword(s)
Sperm selection, Early embryo cluture, Mechanobiology
- Research theme
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- Paper-based devices for sperm motility analysis (See below)
- Development of dynamic embryo culture systems
- Energy metabolism in mammalian sperms
- Microfluidic cell separation
Outline of research activitiesWe have demonstrated an inexpensive and easy-to-handle device for monitoring mammalian sperm motility made by patterning a piece of paper and measuring the activity of a specific enzyme. After applying semen to the hydrophilic center circle of the patterned paper, a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay data can be used to help estimate the percentage of motile human sperm (sperm motility) in semen based on the character that motile human sperm moved in and on the paper.
(Matsuura et al. 2014, 2017, 2019)- Desired cooperation
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- Clinical application of developed microfluidic devices for ART Mulicenter clinical studies
- Microfluidic device application for cell handling
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Masayuki HARAMURA
- Research Field
Mdicinal & Bioorganic Chemistry, Chemical Biology
- Keyword(s)
Peptide Chemistry, Chemical Proteomics
- Research theme
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- Design and synthesis of bioactive organic molecules.
- Development of a method for analyzing intermolecular interaction between proteins and bioactive small molecules.
Outline of research activities・Peptide-based drug design and synthesis:
Design and synthesis of bioactive small molecules from peptide hormons and proteins based on structure activity relationships.
・Chemical Biology Research:
Development of a method for discovery of novel drug target protein using small bioactive compounds as the probes.- Desired cooperation
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- Peptide based drug design and symthesis
- Discovery of novel drug target protein of small bioactive compounds
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Motonao NAKAMURA
- Research Field
Cellular signaling, G protein coupled receptor (GPCR)
- Keyword(s)
receptor, GPCR, signal transduction, molecular biology
- Research theme
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- Functional studies on the desease-related GPCRs
- Development of novel ligands for target GPCRs
- Fundamental study on the GPCR biology
Outline of research activitiesG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) utilize complex cellular systems to respond to diverse ligand concentration. Our recent work elucidated that this system functions through the phosphorylation status. Thus, we have been studing on the potential roles of this modification for the GPCR signaling. In addition, we are developping the novel ligands for desease-reated GPCRs to regulate. We hope that our studies provide an expanding conceptual view of the drug development for the regulation of GPCRs.
- Desired cooperation
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- Screening and development of bioactive ligands for GPCRs
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Nobuyasu MATSUURA
- Research Field
Bioorganic chemistry
- Keyword(s)
Natural products, Lifestyle disease
- Research theme
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- Development of remedy of lifestyle diseases from natural products
Outline of research activitiesIt is reported that a lot of natural products have unknown various function for remedy of life style diseases. For the purpose of the development of remedy for lifestyle diseases from natural resource products, the study of isolation and structural determination of active compound from plant extract have studied.
- Desired cooperation
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- Validation for experimental animal model
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Ryoji MITSUI
- Research Field
Applied Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Applied Enzymology, Microbial Ecology
- Keyword(s)
Symbiotic microorganisms, Enterobacterial metabolites, Fermented foods, Functional food materials
- Research theme
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- Analysis of the plant growth-promoting effects of bacteria symbiotically associated with plant Leaves.
- Metabolism of food components by enterobacteria and its applications
- Research to extend the shelf life of food by controlling microbial growth
- Development of industrially applicable microorganisms and microbial enzymes for the production of fine chemicals
Outline of research activitiesIn our laboratory, we explore the untapped potential of microorganisms that play important roles in agriculture, food processing, and human health, both inside and outside our bodies. Our goal is to discover useful microorganisms with novel abilities and develop technologies to enrich our lives sustainably.
- Desired cooperation
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- Screening of useful microorganisms and their utilization.
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Shogo IKEDA
- Research Field
Molecular Genetics
- Keyword(s)
DNA Repair, Fission Yeast, Lifespan, Functional Food
- Research theme
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- Molecular mechanism of DNA damage and repair.
- Role of DNA repair pathways in lifespan of cells.
- Evaluation of biological activties and functions of food ingredients.
Outline of research activitiesDNA lesions generated by the attacks of reactive oxygen species, carcinogens, ultraviolet, and ionized radiation are resposible for human diseases and aging. We characterize the DNA repair pathways, especially base excision repair and nucleotide excision repair, by molecular genetic approach using fission yeast as a model organism. We also study the role of DNA repair pathways in lifespan of non-dividing cells. Antioxidant activity, antimutagenic activity, and anti-aging activity of food and food ingredients are evaluated by using the DNA repair mutants.
- Desired cooperation
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- Development of the novel bioassay for food ingredient functionality, especially antioxidant activity and anti-aging activity.
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Takeru NAIKI
- Research Field
Biomedical Engineering, Biomechanics, Regenerative Medical Engineering
- Keyword(s)
Tissue Engineering, Muscle Hypertrophy, Blood Flow, Mechanical analysis, Ozone Water
- Research theme
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- Developmet the cultured thick and huge tissue
- Mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy with Kaatsu traning
- Development of high-performance technologies for hemodialysis
- Prolongation of antiseptic property of Ozone by freezing
Outline of research activitiesThe aim of the one of my research is to develop the cultured thick and huge musclular tissue. To do this, I am developing the blood vescle in cultured tissues by using selfaggregation technique.
I am studying the mechanisms of muscular hypertrophy by Kaatsu training (pressurized muscle training) in cellular level to develop the method to treat musclular atrophy etc. Also I am studying the effects of physical environments (temperature, air contact, and ultrasonic wave irratiation, etc.) around blood in extracorporeal circulation devices such as artificial carcdiopulmonary device or dialysis cdevice on blood coagulation to develop the high-performance extracorporeal blood circulation device.- Desired cooperation
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- Development of regenerative medical engineering techniques
- Development of bioengineering equipments including medical devices
- Elusidation of mechanisms of occurrence of circulatory or musculoskeletal disorder and development of method of treatment
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Professor
- Yoshiko MINAMI
- Research Field
Molecular biology, Biochemistry
- Keyword(s)
Protein, Cell, Metabolic pathway
- Research theme
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- Analysis of the indican metabolic pathway from an indigo plant, Polygonum tinctorium.
- Analysis of unique proteins from a true slime mold, Physarum polycephalum.
- Analysis of secretory pectolyase from the fungi, Aspergillus japonicus.
Outline of research activitiesI study the biosynthetic pathway of indican (a precursor of indigo). As an application, I attempt the mass production of indigo in E. coli.
I analyze the intracellular function of several unique proteins from a slime mold.
- Desired cooperation
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- Production and utilization of indigo dye.
- Research on the character of true slime mold.
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Associate professor
- Atsuhito KUBOKI
- Research Field
Synthetic organic Chemistry, Bioorganic chemistry
- Keyword(s)
Organic reaction, Enzymatic reaction, Bioactive compound
- Research theme
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- Development of Development of new synthetic methodologies of ο-quinones
- Studies on chemo-enzymatic processes for fine chemicals
Outline of research activitiesOur group is interested in developing new synthetic methodologies to enable synthesis of biologically active natural compounds and their derivatives in environmental friendly manner. As such manners, we have developed metal-free regioselective cycloaddition of highly reactive o-quinone to form 1,4-benzodioxane and a procedure for construction of benzene ring from o-quinone and terminal alkynes through cycloaddition and photo-decarboxylation. We have also reported concise synthetic route to KDO, a kind of carbohydrate, including elimination of cyclic sulfite as a key step. By collaborative research with a company, functional monomers for dental adhesive resin cements have been developed.
- Desired cooperation
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- Development of fine chemicals by analogue synthesis
- Partial modification of lead compound
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Associate professor
- Keita KANKI
- Research Field
Regenerative Medicine, Tumor Biology
- Keyword(s)
Regenerative Medicine, iPS cells, Liver, Cancer
- Research theme
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- Induction of functional hepatocyte from pluripotent stem cells. Regulation of cell differentiation mechanism in cancer cells.
Outline of research activitiesDevelopment of efficient protocol to induce functional cells from pluripotent stem cells is important for cell therapies. We aim to create highly differentiated somatic cells and functional tissues by using genetic manipulation, 3D-culture, and co-culture methods. We also investigate the regulation mechanism of differentiation in cancer cells which could be useful information for both cancer therapy and regenerative medicine.
- Desired cooperation
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- Artificial organ
- Bioreactor
- Cell source for regenerative medicine
- Cancer therapy
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Associate professor
- Midori FUTAMI
- Research Field
Protein engineering
- Keyword(s)
Protein chemistry, Funactional regulation of mammalian cells, Blood purification
- Research theme
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- Artificial regulation of mammalian cells by protein transduction technology.
- Development of plasma adsorption column using protein ligand.
Outline of research activitiesDenatired protein forms insoluble aggrigate. Chemical cationization of decatured protein s them water soluble. Based on this protein cationization method, we have studied two theme as described later. Left panel shows the outline of cationized protein transduction for living mammalian cells。Cationized protein efficiently adosorbed to negatively charged cell surface and uptaked by endocytosis. Right panel shows application of cationized protein for adosorbent of autoantibody. Denatured and cationized whole antigen immobilized on adsorber would be possible to capture antibodies with various epitope.
- Desired cooperation
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- Production of recombinant protein by the host of E.coli or mammalian cell.
- Protein analysis.
- Mammalian cell regulation.
- Development of plasma adsorption column using protein ligand.
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Associate professor
- Ryosuke TADOKORO
- Research Field
Cell biology, Developmental biology, Cosmetology
- Keyword(s)
Melanin, Organelle, Intercellular transport, Skin
- Research theme
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- Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying melanosome transfer during skin pigmentation
- Skin biology
- Cosmetics
Outline of research activitiesAnimals including humans have beautiful pigments on the body surface. In the pigmentations, melanosomes, specialized organelles for melanin generation, are synthesized in pigment cells called melanocytes and subsequently transferred from melanocytes to surrounding skin and hair keratinocytes. Although to understand melanosome transfer is important for developing cosmetics and pigment biology, molecular and cellular mechanisms of melanosome transfer have long been unclear.
I recently established a novel live imaging technique that enabled to directly analyze melanosome transfer in skin tissue using chicken embryos.I am going to elucidate the whole picture of the intercellular transfer of melanosomes by using the new technique.
- Desired cooperation
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- Cosmetology
- Skin biology
- Developmental biology, Regeneration engineering、Computer simulation
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Associate professor
- Takahiro HAMADA
- Research Field
Plant Physiology, Cell Biology
- Keyword(s)
Cytoskeleton, microtubule, RNA granule
- Research theme
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- Mechanism of microtubule regulation in plants
- Mechanism of environmental responses in plants
- Mechanism of small RNA in plants
Outline of research activitiesThrough advanced imaging techniques, biochemistry, and gene expression analyses, I work to understand the mechanisms of how plants adapt to changes in the environment.
(1) Mechanisms of Plant Motion and Growth Many people believe that plants do not move. However, the reality is that plants respond by sensing changes in light intensity, color, and temperature and moving. I focus on the behavior of microtubules in plant cells, which may be playing a key role in regulating plant motion and growth. This project tries to answer this classic, unanswered question in plant physiology, one that had been a focus of Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882), the Father of Evolution.
(2) Mechanisms of Plant Environmental Responses To adapt to environmental change, plants must survive and reproduce through seed production because they cannot physically leave the place where their seeds germinate. In particular, my focus is on how plants adapt to higher temperatures. As we face the challenge of climate change and global warming, understanding mechanisms of biological adaptation to higher temperatures is critical.
(3) Functions of Small RNAs on Plant Embryogenesis and Development Small RNAs play important roles to regulate plant embryogenesis and developments. I discovered a novel gene expression mechanism involving small RNAs. This project tries to further develop this new field in plant physiology.
- Desired cooperation
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- Advanced Agriculture
- Studies for plant monitoring and cultivation technologies
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Lecturer
- Masahiko INOGUCHI
- Research Field
Plant Physiology
- Keyword(s)
Plant tissue culture, Gene regulation, Morphogenesis
- Research theme
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- Stress responsive gene expression
- Emvironmental responses upon flowering and/or gravitropism
- Exploration for novel phytoregulators
Outline of research activitiesPlants can adapt to various environmental conditions by perceiving intensity and quality of light, direction of gravity, and so on. By elucidating such a stimulus-responsive mechanism, we will be able to modulate the growth of a plant to be optimized for an artificial condition such as in a space station or a plant factory.
We are studying on 1) the molecular bases for a wound-responsive gene expression, 2) the effect of light quality on root gravitropism, and 3) a novel plant growth regulator within a distilled extract from industrial waste biomass.- Desired cooperation
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- Improvement of crop traits under stress.
- Plant growth modulation under artificial environmental conditions.
- Exploring novel plant growth regulators from industrial waste biomass.
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Faculty of Life Science, Department of Bioscience
- Lecturer
- Msamitsu MIYANAGA
- Research Field
Environmental dynamics, Environmental ecology
- Keyword(s)
Aqueous Environment, Persistent Organic Pollutants, Fields Research
- Research theme
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- Measurement of environmental pollutants in western Japan area of sea
- Infulueence of a heavy metal to a creature
- Elution of organic matter and nutrient salts from the bottom sediment of Lake Kojima
Outline of research activitiesWe are investigating the dynamics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Seto Inland Sea and other areas of western Japan. In addition, clarifying the mechanism of contamination of Lake Kojima, we are conducting water quality surveys of Lake Kojima and elution experiments of organic matter and nutrient salts from the bottom sediment. We are also investigating the effects of chemical substances on the properties of aquatic organisms.
- Desired cooperation
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- Sampling and analysis in the dynamics survey of environmentally hazardous substances