Smart Cell Engineering and Bioproduction Research Unit
Overview
Combining the latest research in engineering, agriculture, medicine, and pharmaceuticals to contribute to the SDGs, healthy life expectancy, and quality of life
Challenges that impact our day-to-day lifestyles are growing increasingly serious, including low energy self-sufficiency and high dependence on fossil fuels due to resource shortages, a declining working population and rising medical costs due to super-aging society with a low birthrate, and unstable food supply due to abnormal climate patterns. The Smart Cell Engineering and Bioproduction Research Unit is working to increase the efficiency and precision of breeding and species enhancement through the use of smart cells, create new biopharmaceuticals from biologically-derived materials, and develop functional health foods by enhancing the performance of materials derived from agricultural, livestock, and fishery resources. The Unit's three research groups, which bring together expertise from the engineering, agricultural, medical, and pharmaceutical fields, are conducting cutting-edge research aimed at contributing to the SDGs, healthy life expectancy, and quality of life.
Research Groups
Bio-Based Fuel and Chemical Research Group
This group is working to develop bioproduction processes using biomass with the aim of realizing a sustainable, low-carbon society. For example, we are working on technologies to produce biofuels and bio-based chemicals from renewable biomass rather than fossil fuels, as well as high-efficiency production of functional compounds with high levels of biological activity (pharmaceutical ingredients, dietary supplements, raw materials for cosmetics, agrochemicals, etc.). A particular research focus is the development of “smart-cells” (biological cells whose functions are precisely designed and controlled), which play a key role in bioproduction, and EGBRC is a world leader in creating microbial strains capable of producing high levels of useful substances and in building research platforms that contribute to smart-cell development. Our team is constantly striving to develop innovative technologies with the aim of achieve the breakthroughs required to implement these solutions in society.
Members
HASUNUMA Tomohisa (Professor), TAGUCHI Seiichi (Professor), ISHIKAWA Shu (Associate Professor), NASUNO Ryo (Associate Professor), ASAMIZU Shumpei (Associate Professor), HIDESE Ryota (Associate Professor), BAMBA Takahiro (Assistant Professor), KAMASAKA Kouhei (Assistant Professor), HIRAYAMA Hidenobu (Research Assistant)
Biologics Research Group
Biologics are structurally complex pharmaceuticals produced by harnessing the power of living cells and microorganisms (more precisely, animal cells), and in recent years biopharmaceuticals such as antibody drugs have been attracting growing attention. Recently, the focus of the group's research is shifting to antibody-drug conjugates, gene therapy drugs, cellular biopharmaceutical for cell therapy, and mRNA-based vaccines and drugs, which are cultured, refined, and analyzed in a similar manner and subject to regulations. We are also exploring peptide drugs and nano-technology as well as nucleic acid drugs, which are classified as synthetic drugs but to which similar research methodologies to those used in biologics can be applied due to their complex structures.
Members
UCHIDA Kazuhisa (Professor), YAMAJI Hideki (Professor), YUSA Keisuke (Invited Professor), Yoichiro Ito (Associate Professor)
Functional Food and Agrobio Research Group
This group conducts a range of research on functional foods, which are aimed at mitigating and preventing decreases in crop productivity due to extreme weather and increases in lifestyle diseases, both of which have become serious societal challenges. Our research aims to develop revolutionary technologies for producing agricultural products and functional foods that deliver true health benefits to humans, while paying due consideration to the diverse dynamics of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products and their processed materials at both the micro and macro levels.
Members
UNO Yuichi (Professor), SHIRAI Yasuhito (Professor), HONDA Kazuhisa (Professor), SAKAKIBARA Hiroyuki (Professor), MIZUTANI Masaharu (Professor), KANAMARU Kengo (Associate Professor), HASHIMOTO Takashi (Associate Professor), YAMASHITA Yoko (Associate Professor), FUKUDA Itsuko (Assistant Professor), KOYAMA Ryohei (Assistant Professor), HAYASHI Daiki (Assistant Professor)
Idemitsu Bioproduction Joint Research Group
This research group aims to develop smart cells that will serve as a platform for the production of specific compounds (such as oils and fats with potential applications in cosmetics and future energy sources, and bioactive compounds used in agrochemicals), targeting the year 2026.
Members
MATSUI Takeshi, (Professor)