Harmful chemical substances remain stable in the environment and have adverse effects on the human body, but there are various problems in effectively removing them from the environment, and research is still actively being conducted.
Research content
The aim is to identify and use microorganisms that remove chemical substances that remain in the environment for a long time, or to discover compounds from microorganisms that are even better than those currently in use.
Future prospects
We aim to elucidate the degradation mechanisms derived from organisms and use these mechanisms to create environmentally friendly substances.
Educational approach
Microbial functions, social implementation, social collaboration, production of useful substances
Educational activities
We explain how microorganisms live in relation to the environment, comparing the functions and roles of microbial communities living in various environments.
We also actively promote joint research with companies, aiming for research results that can be returned to society.
Goals for human resource development
We aim to develop human resources who can understand the principles of various phenomena occurring in microorganisms and also have the ability to consider applications.
Achievements in human resource development
We have supervised master's and doctoral students both in Japan and abroad, and many of them have gone on to careers in companies and universities around the world.
Vision for industry-academia collaboration
Microbial applications, social collaboration, microbial functions, industrialization
Social issues we are addressing
Through various analyses related to the microbial degradation of environmental pollutants, we propose knowledge and technologies that contribute to industrial applications.
Outcomes and progress on current challenges
So far, we have analyzed microorganisms that degrade environmental pollutants in Japan and abroad, and promoted the utilization of microbial functions for region-specific waste resource recovery, working on the social implementation of research results.
Technologies, research, and prospects applicable to future progress
By making full use of networks through joint research with various researchers both in Japan and abroad, we are studying how microorganisms can be linked to industrial applications.
