Graduate School of Engineering

Biotechnology

The Ph. D. and Master's programs of Biotechnology has seven research areas. The faculty is responsible for education and research in advanced subjects covering the themes given under each research area.

1 Enzyme Chemistry
Extensive screening for novel enzymes catalyzing new reactions; Intensive basic studies to understand the enzymological characteristics; Molecular evolutionary approach to alter the properties of the enzymes, thus achieving industrial use of the enzymes.

2 Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing
The use of enzymes and/or microorganisms (biocatalysts) for the efficient production of useful compounds, such as pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediates, especially chiral compounds; Asymmetric bioreduction; Biosynthesis of isoprenoides; Protein engineering, and so on.

3 Microbial engineering
Screening of novel lead molecules for development of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals from actinomycetes and fungal secondary metabolites; biosynthesis of antibiotics isolated from actinomycetes and characterization of their biosynthetic genes.

4 Bioorganic Chemistry
Studies on structure and functionality of natural and unnatural-products that have important biological activity and reactivity; Studies on structure and reactivity of lignin and other woody biomass; Total synthesis of natural products to stimulate the development of new synthetic methodologies and strategies.

5 Food science and technology
Metabolism of vitamin D and its analog by cytochrome P450; Glucuronidation of dietary compounds including bioflavonoids; DNA microarray analysis of dietary compound-induced gene expression; Molecular neurophysiological analysis of fatigue.

6 Plant and Cell Engineering
Molecular breeding of plants for their manufacturing use in physiologically active compound production, biomass utilization, and phytoremediation. Basic studies on enzymes and metabolites in plants with knowledge in biochemistry, organic chemistry, plant biology, and so on.

7 Applied Bioinformatics
Development of methodology for applying bioinformatics in discovering novel natural compounds and improving their production. Design of artificial protein with novel structure and function by computational techniques of statistic and energy calculation.