Summary

In the Department of Biological Science and Technology, there are many groups who are analyzing life in various living creatures from microbes to animals/plants, from the molecular level such as gene expression and protein-protein interaction to changes in cell function and form, and phenotypic changes at the tissue/whole-body level, as well as developing technologies for regulating and imitating these delicate mechanisms and researching technology that will put this to practical use. There are also groups who are researching technologies for effective utilization of unused biomass, such as wood cellulose, and technologies for manufacturing drugs derived from biological materials. This research aims to bring together the diverse basic life science research results and abilities possessed by these groups and, establishing a number of subjects, collaborate in the research areas of medicine and medical treatment as well as agriculture and green technology to develop useful medicines, new medical technology, and new technologies in agriculture/fishery/forestry.

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Research topics

1. Basic Research and Application Research Using RNA Interference Method: Research and Development of Next-Generation RNA Medicines
   1-1　Outline

   In collaboration with the Department of Biological Science and Technology and the University’s Institute of HBS, this research will develop RNA medicines capable of suppressing cancer cells, treating autoimmune disorders, muscle diseases, etc. as well as target-cell-specific delivery methods and treatment techniques by regulating mRNA level of the gene(s) expressed in specific diseases, using an RNA interference method that controls the level of expression of mRNA governing gene expression in vivo.

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   1-2　Keywords

   RNA interference method, RNA medicines, drug delivery system, cancer, autoimmune disorder, muscle disease

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   1-3　Supervisors

   Chief researchers: Akihiko Tsuji, Hideaki Nagamune*, Hitoshi Matsuki, Hitoshi Hori, Takeshi Omasa, Toshifumi Tomoyasu, Nobutake Tamai, Yoshihiro Uto, Hideaki Maseda, Taro Mito, Keizo Yuasa, Atsushi Tabata, Akihiro Shirai (*Core promoter of RNAi research)

   Cooperating researchers: Yoshitoshi Nakamura, Chizuru Sasaki

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2. Research on Application of Technology for Production of Bioethanol from Cellulose Resources
   2-1　Outline

   This project aims to develop/produce new technology and high-added value substances in the field of green/new energy, such as bioethanol and bioplastic, compatible with a low-carbon, recycling-based society by integrating biomass utilization technology and developmental technology on enzymes/fermentation microorganisms from the Department of Biological Science and Technology, and also making use of the unused forestry resources (cellulosic biomass) abundant in Tokushima Prefecture.

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   2-2　Keywords

   Cellulose, bioethanol, biomass, steam blasting method, green

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   2-3　Supervisors

   Chief researchers: Yoshitoshi Nakamura*, Akihiko Tsuji, Takeshi Omasa, Hideaki Maseda, Chizuru Sasaki, Keizo Yuasa, Taro Mito, Akihiro Shirai (*Core promoter of biomass process research)

   Cooperating researchers: Hideaki Nagamune, Hitoshi Matsuki, Hitoshi Hori, Toshifumi Tomoyasu, Nobutake Tamai, Yoshihiro Uto, Atsushi Tabata