Learn bioscience from the basics and pursue abilities that are useful to the world
Bioscience has a wide range of research subjects, and you can challenge various fields according to your interests and purposes. Students learn about plant physiology and biofuel production in the plant field, the basics of life phenomena and the use of microorganisms in the microbiology field, elucidation of neuropathological conditions of developmental disorders in the animal field, research on food functionality in the food field, the basics of life phenomena and the utilization of microorganisms in the microbial field, research that brings the latest knowledge and technology to science education in the biotechnology field, and research that addresses the creation and regeneration of materials in the chemical system field. We have prepared a curriculum which students can learn a wide range of things and we develop the ability to meet the needs of society while experiencing the latest life sciences.
Plant science field
Study the mysterious power of plants Utilizing instrumental analysis of plant hormones using a state-of-the-art mass analyzer, bioimaging system consisting of fluorescent microscopes and confocal laser microscopes, laser microdissection equipment, and plant experiment greenhouses, etc., students research on chemistry and physiological functions of plant hormones, adhesion of grafts such as tomatoes and restoration of cut plant tissues, disease resistance induction mechanism in plants, and basic research on biofuel production using microalgae. These studies, which make the best use of the characteristics of this department, have been published in academic societies and international academic journals in Japan and overseas, and have been highly evaluated by attracting attention from overseas research institutes.
Researching the functionality hidden in food At the Biomolecular Chemistry Laboratory, we research on health benefits such as improving the intestinal environment and stools from cocoa protein (protein contained in cacao beans), which is abundant in high-cocoa chocolate,s, and on the cancer-preventing effect and skin moisturizing effect of sphingolipids (glucosyl ceramide, ceramide, etc.) widely contained in plants. In addition, the Food Science Laboratory uses state-of-the-art mass spectrometric imaging to elucidate the food distribution of various functional components (A in the right figure visualizes the functional components of edamame), elucidate the pharmacokinetics after ingestion, and prevent the disease. Based on the new findings obtained from these studies, we collaborate with other universities, public research institutes, local governments and research institutes of major companies (Meiji Co., Ltd .: Biomolecular Chemistry Laboratory) as well as on-campus. We are aiming to develop high value-added foods and agricultural products.
Elucidation of neurological pathology of developmental disorders The birth of life is a veiled mystery. How do you make a body from one cell? Why are there males and females? In the animal field, we are trying to unravel the mysterious veil of "outbreak" using Drosophila and eels. In higher animals, the mind is born with the body. The mind creates "individuality". Where is "individuality" in the body? It's the "brain". The brain is also made of cells. How do brain cells create "individuality"? In the field of animal systems, we research to elucidate the mechanism of the brain that creates individuality by making full use of the latest genetically modified mice.
Elucidate the mysteries of microorganisms and utilize the power of microorganisms for society Elucidation of the mechanism of chromosome maintenance using yeast at the molecular level, we research on physiologically active substances derived from microorganisms such as actinomycetes, development of infection control methods using bacterial viruses, etc to contribute to society.
Research to return the latest knowledge and techniques to science education We are engaged in research aimed at developing new teaching materials and experiments and utilizing them for environmental conservation by applying new knowledge and advanced technologies to familiar subjects.
Research on the creation and regeneration of substances and the elucidation of bioactivity In the field of chemistry, we mainly research on chemical recycling that converts used plastics into new production raw materials, chemical synthesis and structure determination of organic natural compounds, chemical synthesis and structure determination of phytohormones and other organic natural compounds such as plant hormones, and elucidation of life phenomena by physiologically active substances derived from microorganisms and plants.
