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A Guide to
Graduate School of
Bioscience and
Biotechnology
&
School of
Bioscience and
Biotechnology
http://www.bio.titech.ac.jp/
TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Contents
Foreword 2
Introduction 3
Undergraduate Programs 4
Graduate Programs 5
Academic Staff
1
Department of Life Science 7
Department of Biological Sciences 9
Department of Biological Information 11
Department of Bioengineering 13
Department of Biomolecular Engineering 15
Endowed Research Laboratories
17
Collaborative Organizations 18
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology & School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Foreword
T
he School and the Graduate School of Bioscience and
Biotechnology are world-class schools with the aim
of educating and training students who have the pioneering
spirits to explore the new realms of bioscience and biotechnology. The School and Graduate School were reorganized
into five Graduate School Departments in association with
two Undergraduate School Departments with the intention
of establishing a research oriented educational system in
1999-2000. Our school has admitted the International
Graduate Course for students from overseas countries and
provided them with the high level education of bioscience
and biotechnology. International graduate program will
provide opportunities to pursue advanced studies.
We have and hold always a high priority and activity at
the frontier of the research. It is our hope that the School
and the Graduate School, will maintain its high educational
and research standards of Bioscience and Biotechnology,
and continue to turn out professionals par excellence
through multi-disciplinary education and training of ambitious students rising to meet the challenges of the future.
Professor Mitsuo Sekine, Dean
2
Introduction
T
his faculty was established in 1990 with the intention of
contributing not only to education but also to research
in the integrated field of bioscience and biotechnology. In
1992, the Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
was established with two courses, followed by the launch of
the International Graduate Course in 1993. The Gene
Research Center, Research Center for Experimental Biology
and Radioisotope Research Center were completed as part of
the infrastructure in 1993, 1997 and 2001, respectively.
These three centers were reorganized in 2003 as the Center
for Biological Resources and Informatics. The School of
Bioscience and Biotechnology was reorganized in 1999 into
two departments: the Department of Bioscience and the
Department of Biotechnology. The Graduate School of
Bioscience and Biotechnology was also reformed in 1999.
Three Graduate School Departments were opened in 1999,
and two more in 2000. The Graduate School, School of
Bioscience and Biotechnology and Center for Biological
Resources and Informatics are well organized and located on
the Suzukakedai campus of the Tokyo Institute of
Technology.
In the latter half of the last century, remarkable progress was
made in the life sciences, exerting a profound impact on
industry and human welfare. Several features that define our
school and graduate school are as follows.
1. The Graduate School and School of Bioscience and
Biotechnology are home to more than 60 laboratories
working hand-in-hand in such diverse fields as chemistry,
biochemistry, medical science, pharmaceutical science,
agriculture and engineering. These close inter-relationships fostered by a community sharing a single building
help to enhance research activities.
2. Each department and laboratory is fully equipped with the
latest facilities, analytical instruments and computers, all for
the mutual use and convenience of laboratory personnel.
3. Each student can easily attend a variety of lectures and
seminars in the School and Graduate School, irrespective
of which department he or she belongs to. This provides
students with unparalleled exposure to the many facets
and interdisciplinary resources of bioscience and biotechnology.
4. A number of well-known guest lecturers from both within
and outside of Japan visit the campus to share their
expertise on various topics.
5. Thanks to the presence of numerous students and
researchers from abroad, the atmosphere at the School
and Graduate School is quite international.
In 2011, Educational Academy of Computational Life
Sciences (ACLS) was selected as the Leading Program for
Doctoral Education of Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science (JSPS), which will provide a 5-year integrated
training course with the aim of developing talented students
into future global leaders in interdisciplinary fields of life
science and information science.
School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Admission
Quota
1st year
M
Bioscience
Biotechnology
1st year
Total
75
75
＊
10
150
2nd year
F
133
133
（May 01, 2012）
29
29
3rd year
4th year
Grand
Total
Total
M
54
  58（1）
F
7
29（2）
M
  62（1）
66
F
7
19（2）
M
  75（1）
  71（1）
F
12（1）
18（1）
112（1）
36（2）
128（1）
26（2）
146（2）
30（2）
M
191（2）
195（2）
133
519（4）
F
  26（1）
  66（5）
29
121（6）
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
（May 01, 2012）
Master's Course
Doctoral Course
Admission
Quota
F
M
F
M
  29
17
11（3）   27（1）   6（4）   44（1） 17（7）
63（8）
 8
3
  1（1）
  6（1）
1（1）
  9（1）
  2（1） 18（2）
  4（3）
22（5）
Department of Biological Sciences
  26
12
  8（2）   20（1）   7（1）   32（1） 15（3）
52（5）
 9
4
  2（2）
  5（2）
1
12（1）
12（3） 21（3）
15（5）
36（8）
57（1）
 9
7
1
4
3（2）
10（4）
  2（1） 21（4）
  6（3）
27（7）
  8（3）
  6（3）
  4（1）
1
3
  2（2） 15（4）
  9（5）
24（9）
  7（3）
29（8）
Department of Bioengineering
  30
Department of Biomolecular Engineering
  30
Total
146
1st year
2nd year
M
M
F
  22（2）   9（2）
21
26
  6（1）   20（1）
26
  5（1）
25
F
Total
M
F
5
  43（2） 14（2）
9
  46（1） 15（1）   66（12）   7
  3（2）
51
  8（3）
55（5）
1st year
2nd year
3rd year
F
Doctoral
Course Total
Master's
Course Total
Admission
Quota
M
Department of Life Science
Department of Biological Information   31
Total
M
F
11
  8（1）
2
  4（2）
2（1）
10（2）
  3（2） 22（5）
103（2） 39（9） 113（3） 30（7） 216（5） 69（16） 285（21） 44
30（4）
12（6）
23（6）
8（4）
44（8）
21（9） 97（18） 41（19） 138（37）
Note:1. Figures marked with * represent the number of transfer students moving into the 3rd year. 2. Figures given in parenthesis represent the number of students from abroad.
3
217
（3）
261
（7）
162
640
（10）
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology & School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Undergraduate Programs
http://www.gakumu.titech.ac.jp/nyusi/prospectus/index_e.html
Standard Program
Japanese language is essential for all undergraduate programs.
1st year
2nd year
Course 3rd & 4th years
Life Science
Bioscience
Biological Sciences
School of
Bioscience and
Biotechnology
Biological Information
Biotechnology
Bioengineering
Biomolecular Engineering
Special Education Opportunities
Four-University Joint Education Course
This Joint Education Course was established in 2001,
with the aim to foster new types of graduates and to promote educational and research activities. The participating universities are Tokyo Tech, Tokyo Medical and
Dental University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
and Hitotsubashi University. This course provides stu-
dents with increased curriculum choices and a network
of personal contacts with the other three universities. Not
only does this course contribute to advances in academic
fields, but it also gives students the opportunity to
improve themselves in various ways.
Support Program for Distinctive University Education
The department started an educational program from
2005 for freshmen with the purpose of fostering the creativity of each individual student. Freshmen compete in
the development of bio-related educational materials for
elementary and junior high school students. They work
on their projects and finally compete by presenting their
products in the Tokyo Tech Bio-Contest. The program,
which is open to public, was selected as a "Distinctive
University Education Support Program-Good Practice" by
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology in 2006.
4
Graduate Programs
http://www.gakumu.titech.ac.jp/nyusi/igp/top.html
Standard Program
The International Graduated Course offers five departments as listed below.
Department of Life Science
Department of Biological Sciences
Graduate School of
Bioscience and Biotechnology
Department of Biological Information
Department of Bioengineering
Department of Biomolecular Engineering
International Graduate Course
Research in biological science and technology is now an
area of stiff competition worldwide. One of the important
challenges in this field is to foster human resources with
skills that are adequate for developing and using the various global standard core technologies. Regarding in the
large role that Asia has played in this development, especially in the field, it is of great significance that Tokyo
foster excellent students within our various and sophisticated educational programs by exposing them to the
advanced science and technology that underpins medical
and environmental industries and to other related areas
of bioscience and biotechnology. At the same time,
through enhanced exchanges between international and
Japanese students, we produce high-level researchers
Institute of Technology has played a leading role in fostering high-level human resources. Within such global
dynamics, Graduate School of Bioscience and
Biotechnology has launched a new program "International
Bioscience and Biotechnology Course" within our
Integrated Doctoral Education Program, with the aim to
and engineers who will play important roles as national
and global leaders. The program commences in October
of every year, and the students are selected on
December based on application documents and interviews. The contents relating to student education are
conducted in English.
Integrated Doctoral Education Program
Sophisticated young graduates of the Integrated Doctoral
Education Program can obtain a doctoral degree within
three to five years through this educational program that
includes long-term study experience in foreign countries
and a company internship program. Graduates of this pro­
5
gram enter into educational careers, research careers or
professional careers directly related to the subject area of
their doctoral degree. They have a wide variety of career
options, through which they can contribute to a more
sophisticated society.
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology & School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Educational Academy of Computational Life Sciences
Educational Academy of Computational Life Sciences
(ACLS) is organized to educate talented persons who will
become global leaders in the interdisciplinary fields
between life science and information science.
ACLS provides a 5-year integrated training course (combining master's and doctor's program) for interdisciplinary
and global education on computational life sciences.
The program is funded by Leading Program for Doctoral
Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
The graduate school's teaching staff of bioscience and
biotechnology, interdisciplinary science and engineering,
and information science and engineering cooperate
closely on this scientific educational program.
Graduate students who major in life science or information science can obtain various merits through joining this
educational program, including financial supports, mentoring service, as well as best training opportunities. Each
student can be affiliated with both the ACLS program and
his/her own major. A student who finish this 5-year
course can earn a special doctorial degree with the
diploma from ACLS.
Special Research and Educational Opportunities
Tokyo Institute of Technology - Tsinghua University Joint Graduate
School Program
Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University
(P.R. China) are carrying out a Joint Graduate School
Program of Master and Doctoral Courses. The main
objective of this strategic program is to train students
who not only have professional knowledge and techniques but are also versed in the two cultures, by using
three languages (Japanese Chinese and English). The
Bio-course (Bioscience and Biotechnology course) has
historically played a central role at the center of three
courses: Bio-course, Nanotech-course, and Decision
Science & Technology course. Faculty, students, and
industry representatives deepen their mutual understanding through symposia held in Beijing and Tokyo. This pro­
gram provides an ideal opportunity for promoting international relations and producing young scientists and engineers who will contribute to the industrial and cultural
development of the two countries as well as the rest of
the world.
Tokyo Tech-RIKEN International School
Tokyo Tech and the Institute of Physical and Chemical
Research (RIKEN) have collaborated and cooperated
together to create the Tokyo Tech-RIKEN International
School, the main purpose of which is to offer foreign
students an opportunity to obtain a Doctoral degree. Our
graduate school covers a doctoral course for Bioscience
and Biotechnology. Students who enroll at the Tokyo
Tech-RIKEN International School conduct their research
at both Tokyo Tech and RIKEN with their work supervised
by academic advisors from both institutions. Students in
this school will be adopted as International Program
Associates (IPA), subject to review and approval of both
the Tokyo Tech and RIKEN. The contents relating to
student education are conducted in English.
6
Academic Staff
Department of Life Science
Prof. Hiroshi
ICHINOSE
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Hirofumi TOKUOKA　E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Dopamine, Parkinson's Disease, Tetrahydrobiopterin
Research Interests and Objectives:
Monoamine neurotransmitters modulate higher-order brain function, such as coordination of movement, short-term memory,
motivation, sleep, and emotion. The objective of our study is to reveal regulatory mechanisms for the synthesis of monoamine
neurotransmitters, and to shed light on the causes of neuro-psychiatric disorders.
Assoc. Prof. Nobuhiro
HAYASHI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: P
rotein Science, Proteomics, Membrane lipid raft, Antibody, Myristoylation, Calmodulin, HIV Nef
Research Interests and Objectives:
Comprehensive identification of protein N-myristoylations in cell, and studies of communication mechanism between
membrane fractions and cytoplasmic fractions regulated by myristoylated proteins. Molecular mechanism of signal processing in membrane lipid rafts. Development of technologies for single molecule tracking. Development of bio nano-machines
using antibodies as their prototypes. Studies based on our developed High Performance Proteomics technique.
Assoc. Prof. Toshiya
OSADA
E-mail Address: [email protected]　Keywords: Olfactory and Vomeronasal Systems, AFM
Research Interests and Objectives:
We are interested in the olfactory and vomeronasal systems, which are chemical communication with odorants and pheromones. The major research interests are focused upon the molecular basis of detection and recognition of odorant and
pheromone, and the developments of vomeronasal neurons.
Prof. Satoshi
MURAKAMI
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Ui OKADA　E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Protein crystallography, Structural biology, Membrane proteins, Transporters.
Research Interests and Objectives:
We seek to understand molecular mechanisms of certain key biological processes, as well as membrane transport at the level
of protein structure, dynamics, and functional mechanism. We focus on the questions of how membrane proteins and
transporter proteins work at atomic resolution structure mainly by means of X-ray crystallography.
Prof. Hideya
YUASA
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Atsushi SHIMOYAMA　E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Carbohydrate Chemistry, Molecular Device, Luminescent Materials
Research Interests and Objectives:
Creation of functional carbohydrate derivatives
Development of luminescent materials.
Assoc. Prof. Akihiro
OHKUBO
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: B
ioorganic Chemistry, Carbohydrate Chemistry, Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Photodynamic Therapy, Gene
Therapy
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our research group is interested in development of new drugs for regulation of transcription and splicing by using carbohydrate and nucleic acid analogs. Additionally, we design and synthesize new luminescent materials.
Prof. Fumio
ARISAKA
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Shuji KANAMARU
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Bacteriophage Assembly/Protein Interactions
Research Interests and Objectives:
Mechanism of assembly and infection of bacteriophage.
Structural biology of bacteriophage.
7
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology & School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Prof. Mitsuo
SEKINE
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Akihiro OHKUBO
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: N
ucleic Acid Chemistry, Modified DNA/RNA, DNA Chip, Gene Diagnosis/Detection, Antisense/
Antigene Strategy
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our research group is developing new strategies for the synthesis of a wide variety of chemically modified oligonucleotides
that can serve as new tools for gene detection, gene therapy, and regulation of gene expression.
Assoc. Prof. Kohji
SEIO
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Organic Chemistry of Artificial DNA and RNA, Molecular Recognition of Nucleic Acids
Research Interests and Objectives:
We are studying the synthesis and development of new artificial nucleic acids, which include new DNAs and RNAs having
the precise hybridization properties, the dynamic fluorescence and the unique branched structures. These new molecules are
potentially useful for various techniques such as gene detection, SNPs analysis, nucleic acid drugs and DNA microarrays.
Prof. Toru
HISABORI (Chemical Resources Laboratory)
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Jiro NOMATA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Bioenergetics, Redox Regulation, ATP synthesis
Research Interests and Objectives:
We are studying the regulation of the various enzymes in photosynthetic organisms.
1. Redox regulation of plant proteins by thioredoxins.
2. Regulation of chloroplat ATP synthase.
3. Applied study using cyanobacterial metabolic pathway.
Prof. Susumu
KAJIWARA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Drug Discovery, Pathogen, Lipid, Transporter, Energy
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our laboratory has studied in the field of medical and environmental biotechnology and, in present, focuses on "drug
discovery for infection diseases", "mechanism of infection and growth of pathogenic microorganisms", "function analysis of
human multi-drug efflux pomp using microbial systems" and "bio-ethanol and bio-diesel production by genetic-engineered
yeasts".
Assoc. Prof. Yasunori
AIZAWA (Center for Biological Resources and Informatics)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: R
etrotransposon, DNA methylation, Intergenic RNA, Intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), signal
transduction
Research Interests and Objectives:
1. To screening and characterize novel protein-encoding genes found in the intergenic regions of the human genome.
2. To pursue molecular mechanisms in signal transduction by IDPs.
3. To elucidate regulation mechanism and functional consequence of epigenetic status on retrotransposons in the human
genome.
Prof. Ichiro HIRAO
(RIKEN)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: S
ynthetic Biology, Nucleic Acid Molecular Biology, Expansion of the Genetic Information, Nucleic
Acid Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our research focuses on using synthetic biology techniques to engineer biomolecules, especially nucleic acids, and cells. Our
main objective is to expand genetic alphabet of DNA by introducing an artificial extra base pair (unnatural base pair) toward
next generation biotechnology.
The Other Research Staff：Assist. Prof. Shinya KANEKO Assist. Prof. Takao SATO
8
Academic Staff
Department of Biological Sciences
Assoc. Prof. Nobuhiro
NAKAMURA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Molecular Cell Biology, Ubiquitination, Mitochondrial Dynamics, Sperm Development
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our research focuses on novel regulators of ubiquitination and their roles in the regulation of cellular and organelle functions
and morphology in mammalian cells.
Prof. Hiroshi
IWASAKI
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Yasuhiro TSUTSUI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: M
olecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Homologous Recombination and Recombination Repair,
Genome Integrity, DNA Damage Response
Research Interests and Objectives:
The mechanism of homologous recombination (HR) does not only contribute to the diversity of the genome, but is also vital
for repairing DNA and maintaining genome stability. In addition, when replication ceases for some reason (i.e. DNA damages
at the template strand), HR plays an important role in a resumption of replication. We are exploring the molecular mechanisms involved in these various functions of HR.
Assoc. Prof. Masaki
KAJIKAWA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Molecular Biology, Genetics
Research Interests and Objectives:
My research interest is the evolution of the eukaryotic genome. There are many copies of mobile genetic elements in the
eukaryotic genome. The mobilization/amplification of these genetic elements is considered to have a large impact on the
genome evolution. I am studying to elucidate the amplification mechanism of Long Interspersed Element (LINE), which is
the most abundant element in the human genome.
Prof. Tatsuo
MOTOKAWA
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Profs. Masaki TAMORI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Echinoderm Biology
Research Interests and Objectives:
Echinoderms such as sea lilies and sea cucumbers have stiffness-mutable connective tissues (SMCT) that change their
mechanical properties under nervous control. We are studying the molecular mechanism of the stiffness changes, the
characteristics of the nerves controlling SMCT, the biomechanics and energy consumption of SMCT. The behavior of
echinoderms is also in our interest: the directional preference and the walking mechanism of sea urchins are under study.
Assoc. Prof. Yuichi
HONGOH
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Molecular Ecology, Environmental Genomics
Research Interests and Objectives:
1. Revealing the ecology of uncultivable microorganisms and their interrelationships in environments by using molecular
tools. 2. Understanding symbioses between gut microorganisms and their animal hosts.
Assoc. Prof. Masayuki
KOMADA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Cell Biology, Ubiquitin, Protein Degradation, Membrane Traffic
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our group studies ubiquitin-dependent regulation of mammalian cell functions (e.g., growth factor receptor downregulation),
with the aim of discovering new therapeutic targets for human diseases such as cancer.
Assoc. Prof. Mikiko
TANAKA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Research Interests and Objectives:
Main aim of our research is to explore the fundamental body plan of vertebrates, especially in relation to formation of limbs.
9
The Other Research Staff：Assist. Prof. Akira KATO, Assist. Prof. Masato NIKAIDO, Assist. Prof. Hidenori NISHIHARA
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology & School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Assoc. Prof. Takashi
SUZUKI (Core Division of Advanced Research)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Developmental Neurobiology, The Drosophila Visual System, Axon Guidance and Synapse Formation
Research Interests and Objectives:
We study the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal circuit formation during development. We aim to reveal how axons
choose their specific synaptic-layers in the brain, and how specificities of synaptic connections are determined using
molecular-genetic, histological and biochemical approaches.
Prof. Hiroyuki
OHTA (Center for Biological Resources and Informatics)
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Mie SHIMOJIMA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Plant Biochemistry, Plant Molecular Biology
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our group studies on biogenesis, function and evolution of photosynthetic apparatus in a broad range of photosynthetic
organisms. We particularly have an interest in higher plant chloroplasts. Chloroplast is involved in not only photosynthesis,
but also various important processes in plants. We regard chloroplast membrane lipids have a significant importance in
chloroplast biogenesis and signaling, and currently focus our research on their function.
Assoc. Prof. Shinji
MASUDA (Center for Biological Resources and Informatics)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Plant Physiology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Photobiology
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our research interests are molecular mechanisms of how photosynthetic organisms respond to environmental changes such as
alteration of oxygen tension and light intensity. The evolutional aspects of the signaling networks controlling photosynthesis
gene expression in different species and environmental conditions are also our interests.
Prof. Takehiko KOBAYASHI (Research Organization of Information and Systems National Institute of Genetics)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Genome integrity, Senescence, Rejuvenation, Asymmetrical Cell Division
Research Interests and Objectives:
Organisms are alternating generations and maintaining their species. During the life cycle, though most of cells age to die,
germ and stem line cells are kinds of “immortal” cells, and maintain species and individuals. We study how those cells
“rejuvenate” and keep the integrity of genome.
Prof. Kan
TANAKA (Chemical Resources Laboratory)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Bacteria, Organelles, Symbiosis, Eukaryotes, Evolution, Cell Biology
Research Interests and Objectives:
Understanding of the symbiotic construction and evolution of eukaryotic cells. Regulatory architecture of bacteria and
organelles are also the main focus of our group.
Prof. Yoshinori
OHSUMI (Frontier Research Center)
Collaborating Staffs: Assist. Profs. Hayashi YAMAMOTO and Yasuhiro ARAKI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Autophagy, Protein Turnover, Starvation Response, Cell Growth
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our group studies membrane dynamics essential for autophagy and physiological significance of autophagy in various
cellular activities.
Assoc. Prof. Hitoshi
NAKATOGAWA (Frontier Research Center)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology, Membrane Dynamics, Autophagy
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our group studies molecular mechanisms of autophagy, especially focusing on those underlying the de novo formation of
double membrane-bound structures, autophagosomes, which sequester material to be transported to and degraded in the
lysosome or the vacuole.
The Other Research Staff：Assist. Prof. Kimitoshi DENDA, Assist. Prof. Toshiaki TANAKA
10
Academic Staff
Department of Biological Information
Assoc. Prof. Kazunori
TACHIBANA (Center for Biological Resources and Informatics)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Cell Biology, Developmental Biology
Research Interests and Objectives:
We use starfish oocytes, eggs and early embryos to study:
1. How is the meiotic spindle localized to the oocyte cortex?
2. How does fertilization start egg development?
3. How does pronuclear (genome) union occur?
Assoc. Prof. Yuki
YAMAGUCHI
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Satoshi SAKAMOTO
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genome Expression
Research Interests and Objectives:
Through a combination of biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology, we are promoting both basic and applied
research, particularly on (1) the regulatory mechanisms of genome expression, RNA metabolism, and epigenetics
and (2) the mechanisms of action of small-molecule compounds for drug discovery and development.
Prof. Akira
KUDO
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Profs. Keiji INOHAYA and Masahiro CHATANI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Organogenesis and Tissue Regeneration in Medaka
Research Interests and Objectives:
To reveal the molecular mechanism of organ formation and tissue regeneration, we performed the next projects
using medaka as an animal model.
1. Mutational analysis of organogenesis.
2. Molecular mechanism of regeneration.
3. Molecular mechanism of bone formation.
Assoc. Prof. Atsushi
KAWAKAMI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Developmental Genetics, Regeneration
Research Interests and Objectives:
Higher order of biological phenomena in multi-cellular organisms such as organ formation and regeneration are
supported by complex cascades of signaling molecules and their regulative pathways. Our research interest is to
elucidate molecular bases and networks that govern pattern formation, organogenesis and maintenance and/or
regeneration of tissues using small fish species like zebrafish and medaka fish as model systems.
Prof. Takehiko
ITOH
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Genome Informatics, Bioinformatics
1. Analysis of the data obtaining from new ultra-high throughput DNA sequencer
2. Bioinformatics analysis of the eukaryotic genome
11
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology & School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Prof. Ken
KUROKAWA
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Profs. Hiroshi MORI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Genome Informatics, Genome and Metagenome analysis, Bioinformatics
Research Interests and Objectives:
Origins and evolution of genome organization. Particularly interested in the correlation between genome infor­
mation and biosystem evolution. Elucidation of complexity and robustness in microbial community.
Assoc. Prof. Takuji
Yamada
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Genome/Metagenome analysis, Metabolic pathway analysis, Bioinformatics
Research Interests and Objectives:
Prediction and elucidation of genes and proteins function by computational analysis of genome and metagenome
data, toward understanding of cellular molecular systems.
Prof. Makio
TOKUNAGA
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Akihiro FUKAGAWA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Single Molecule Biology, Microscopy, Immune Cell Signaling, Molecular Systems Biology
Research Interests and Objectives:
We pioneer a new field of single molecule biology based on our original technique of molecular imaging. Using
the combination of single molecule quantification and "in silico" modeling, we aim to open up new frontiers for
understanding cells as molecular systems.
Assoc. Prof. Kumiko
Sakata-Sogawa
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: single molecule imaging, cell signaling, immunological responses, quantification
Research Interests and Objectives:
The focus of our research is to elucidate immunological responses and signaling processes with the technique of
single molecule imaging and quantification. We also study the dynamics and function of physicochemical field of
genetic activities.
Assoc. Prof. Motomasa
TANAKA (RIKEN Brain Science Institute)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Neuropsychiatric disease, Functional amyloid, Prion
Research interests and objectives:
1) Molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration and mental disorder
2) Structural basis of yeast prion strain and transmission barrier
3) Identification and characterization of novel functional amyloid and prion
Assoc. Prof. Masanori
Murayama (RIKEN, Brain Science Institute)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Neurophysiology, Local network activity, Dendrite, Somatosensory, Virtual reality
environment.
Research Interest and Objectives:
We focus on the causal relationship between behavior and neural activity at the single-cell, micro-circuit and
network levels. We are also interested in developing new techniques to discover novel neural activities that can be
used for understanding brain functions and animal behavior.
12
Academic Staff
Department of Bioengineering
Prof. Satoshi
NAKAMURA
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Rie YATSUNAMI, Assist. Prof. Wataru TSUKIMURA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Protein Engineering, Genetic Engineering, Directed Evolution, Extremophiles, Extremozymes
Research Interests and Objectives:
We are doing researches on extremozymes produced by extremophiles using genetic engineering, protein engineering and directed evolution.
Assoc. Prof.
Toshiaki FUKUI
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Izumi ORITA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Hyperthermophile, Biopolyester
Research Interests and Objectives:
Studies on hyperthermophilic archaea and microbial synthesis of biodegradable polyesters by recombinant bacte­
ria, using strategies based on genetic engineering, genome engineering, and metabolic engineering.
Prof. Yukihisa
HAMAGUCHI
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Sumio ISHIJIMA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Bioimaging, Cytokinesis, Flagellar Movement, Micromanipulation, Sea Urchin
Research Interests and Objectives:
1) Formation of the motile apparatus and force generation mechanism during cell division.
2) Analysis of three-dimensional movement of sperm flagella and its control mechanism.
Prof. Masaaki
WACHI
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Noritaka IWAI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Bacterial Cell Division, Antibiotics, RNase
Research Interests and Objectives:
Molecular and genetic analysis of bacterial cell division mechanism. Functional analysis of bacterial RNases.
Screening of new antibiotics.
Prof. Hisakazu
MIHARA
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Hiroshi TSUTSUMI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Peptide, Protein, Combinatorial Chemistry, Amyloid, Nanobiotechnology, Biochip
Research Interests and Objectives:
・Peptide Chip (Microarray): protein/enzyme detection, characterization, and cell analyses.
・Amyloid Peptide/Protein: peptides and proteins that control amyloid formation of proteins in fatal
diseases such as Alzheimer and prion.
・De Novo Design of Protein: design and synthesis of artificial proteins based on the first principle (amino acid
sequence) using combinatorial approaches.
Assoc. Prof. Tomoko
MATSUDA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Biocatalysis, Asymmetric Synthesis, Carbon Dioxide
Research Interests and Objectives:
Research interest is in promotion of green chemistry by investigating biocatalytic reactions using carbon dioxide;
for example, kinetic resolutions of racemic alcohol by lipase, asymmetric reduction of ketones by alcohol dehy­
drogenase, and carboxylation using decarboxylase.
13
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology & School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Prof. Yuichi
KOBAYASHI
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Narihito OGAWA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Asymmetric synthesis; Biologically active compounds.
Research Interests and Objectives:
Development of carbon-carbon bond forming reactions
Design of synthetic methods
Synthesis of natural compounds and analogues for biofunction
Assoc. Prof. Noriyuki
ASAKURA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Redox Proteins, Electrochemistry
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our goal is to understand and exploit the reactivities of redox-active sites and metalcentres in proteins. A major
development of our group is application of electrochemistry and spectroscopy for measuring redox proteins.
Prof. Yasunori
TANJI
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Kazuhiko MIYANAGA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Chemical/Environmental Bioengineering
Research Interests and Objectives:
Management of wastewater and excess sludge.
Application of phage and phage-function for engineering.
Characterization and controlling of microbiologically influenced corrosion.
Assoc. Prof. Toshiaki
KAMACHI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Bioinorganic Chemistry, Metalloenzyme
Research Interests and Objectives:
Elucidation of reaction mechanism of metalloenzymes.
Development of enzymatic reaction system using metalloenzymes.
Phosphorescence lifetime imaging for oxygen concentration.
Assoc. Prof. Shun-ichiro
OGURA (Core Division of Advanced Research)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Tumor imaging, Alternative therapy for tumor, Biomarker
Research Interests and Objectives:
1. Development of new diagnosis and therapy of tumor using aminolevulinic acid
2. Development of new biomarker.
Assoc. Prof. Junji
HIROTA (Center for Biological Resources and Informatics)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Molecular Neuroscience & Genetics
Research Interests and Objectives:
Olfaction, the sense of smell, is a crucial sensory modality for most animals. By combining molecular, genetic
and behavior analysis, we are trying to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying development of olfacto­
ry system.
Prof. Hiroyuki
KOJIMA (Ajinomoto Co., Inc.)
Keywords: Fermentative production, Genetics of Industrial Microbiology
Research Interests and Objectives:
We aim to contributes to human health and environment globally, through research and development of total
process of fermentative production of various kind of products.
The Other Research Staff：Assist. Prof. Hiroshi IKEDA
14
Academic Staff
Department of Biomolecular Engineering
Prof. Takafumi
UENO
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Nanobiomaterials, bioinorganic chemistry, Protein Crystallography, Protein assembly
Research Interasts and Objectives:
1. Construction of nanobiomaterials with protein assemblies
2. Catalytic reaction of metal ions in proteins
3. In vivo synthesis of protein crystals
Prof. Hideki
TAGUCHI
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Tatsuya NIWA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Biochemistry, Protein Science, Protein Folding, Chaperones, Yeast Prions, Amyloids
Research Interests:
1. Molecular mechanism and the cellular role of chaperone proteins such as chaperonin GroEL and DnaK/Hsp70.
2. Mechanism of yeast prion propagation and amyloid formation.
3. Global analysis of protein aggregates formation.
Assoc. Prof. Hiroyuki
OHTANI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Biophysical Chemistry, Laser Photolysis, Ultraweak Fluorescence, Bacteriorhodopsin,
Halobacteria
Research Interests and Objectives:
1. Time-resolved spectroscopy of biomolecular processes in the fs-ks time region.
2. Establishment of mechanical perturbation spectroscopy in nanoscale region.
Prof. Atsushi
MARUYAMA
E-mail: [email protected]
Keywords: Biomaterials, Bioconjugate materials, Drug/gene delivery systems, Cell-specific materials
Research Interests and Objective:
1. Design and evaluation of biofunctional materials for biomedical applications
2. Material design for manipulation of biopolymer structures and functions
3. Cell specific materials for DDS and cell engineering
Assoc. Prof. Yoh-ichi
TAGAWA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Developmental Engineering, Liver, Artificial Liver System, Embryonic Stem Cell
Research Interests and Objectives:
The liver, which plays a major role in metabolism and has many functions, is essential and necessary for living.
I'm working on regenerative medical engineering using embryonic stem cells, especially, embryonic stem cellderived liver tissue for applying to drug-metabolism assay and a bio-artificial liver system.
Assoc. Prof. Takeshi
HATA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Organic Chemistry; Organic Synthesis; Chiral Technology; Natural Product Synthesis;
Biologically Active Compounds; Biomolecules; Medicinal Chemistry; Chemical Biology;
Environmentally Benign Chemistry
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our research topics revolve around organic chemistry, particularly synthetic organic chemistry, involving asymmetric synthesis and organometallic chemistry. Their applications cover quite broad scientific fields that are
represented by the keywords listed above.
15
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology & School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Prof. Shinae
Kondoh
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Tetsuya KADONOSONO
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keyword: Molecular Oncology, Molecular Imaging, Nanomedicine
Research Interests and Objectives:
1) Molecular mechanisms of malignant progression
2) Imaging and targeting tumor hypoxia
3) In vivo optical imaging
Prof. Hirokazu
URABE
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Organic Chemistry; Organic Synthesis; Chiral Technology; Natural Product Synthesis;
Biologically Active Compounds; Biomolecules; Medicinal Chemistry; Chemical Biology;
Environmentally Benign Chemistry
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our research topics revolve around organic chemistry, particularly synthetic organic chemistry, involving asymmetric synthesis and organometallic chemistry. Their applications cover quite broad scientific fields that are rep­
resented by the keywords listed above.
Assoc. Prof. Toshiaki
MORI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Glycotechnology, Enzyme Engineering, Supercritical Fluid, Single-molecule Biochemistry
Research Interests and Objectives:
Bioorganic chemistry, glycobiology, and glycotechnology, especially focusing on the functions of glycoconju­
gates such as glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycanes by the glyco-chips.
Prof. Minoru
matics)
SAKURAI (Center for Biological Resources and Infor-
Collaborating Staff: Assist. Prof. Tadaomi FURUTA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: biophysics, computational chemistry
Research Interests and Objectives:
1. Photoactivation mechanisms of retinal proteins and PAS domains.
2. Quantum chemical approaches to structure-function relationships of proteins.
3. Biological role of trehalose as a protectant against environmental stresses.
Prof. Masaaki
KURIHARA (National Institute of Health Sciences)
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Organic Synthesis, Computer Chemistry
Research Interests and Objectives:
1. Design and synthesis of ligands for nuclear receptors
2. Design and synthesis of stabilized helical peptides and its application
3. Design and synthesis of protein degradation inducers based on a protein knockdown strategy
16
Endowed Research Laboratories
Advanced Free Radical Technology and Life Science
Prof. Masahiro
KOHNO
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Active Oxygen, Free Radical, Redox System, Biomarker, Magnetic Resonance
Research Interests and Objectives:
Mechanism of oxidative stress damage associated with reaction oxygen spices by introducing bioinstrumentation
equipment for genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc.
Assoc. Prof. Atsuo
IWASAWA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Control of Microorganisms, Infection Control Science
Research Interests and Objectives:
Studies on infection control by reactive oxygen species
Assoc. Prof. Yuriko
MATSUMURA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Antioxidant, Free Radical, Biomarker
Research Interests and Objectives:
Analysis of the oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species
Medical and Biological Engineering Creation
Prof. Hiroyuki
YANAI
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Technology Assessment, Translational Research, Medical Device Regulations
Research Interests and Objectives:
To brake the current stagnation and stimulate the strategic and efficient development and promotion of healthcare
technologies in Japan
Prof. Toshihiko
OZAWA
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Reactive Oxygen, Free Radical, Oxidative Stress, ESR, Anti-oxidants
Research Interests and Objectives:
1) Studies on biomedical mechanisms on reactive oxygen and free radicals using electron spin resonance (ESR)
spectroscopy
2) Development of new anti-oxidative substances
17
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology & School of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Donated Chair of Biomaterials Design for Regenerative Engineering
Prof. Toshihiro
AKAIKE
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Biomaterials, Regenerative medicine, Gene and drug delivery systems
Research Interests and Objectives:
Our research aims are to develop effective culture systems for various differentiations such as hepatocytes,
cardiomyocytes, and nerve cells of ES/iPS cells using biomaterials.
Assoc. Prof. Hirohiko
ISE
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Biomaterials, Cell biology, Glycobiology, Regenerative medicine
Research Interests and Objectives:
Development of effective cardiac differentiation for ES/iPS cells using biomaterials.
Elucidation and regulation of new cellular functions by using biomaterials such as glycoside-conjugated materials.
Assoc. Prof. Ichiro
HARADA
Email Address: [email protected]
Keywords: Mechanotransduction, Micropatterning
Research Interest and Objectives:
Mechanotransduction in cellular level. Development of the 2D/3D Micro-patterned culture substrate. A cell in a
tissue recognize physical properties of their circumstance, such as stiffness of extracellular matrices. To uncover
such cellular mechanosensing system, we develop the 2D/3D micro-patterned culture substrate to regulate and
measure cellular tractional forces. Then, application of these mechano-sensing mechanism and culture substrate to
the regenerative-medicine are conducted.
Dainichiseika-Donated Chair of Research Division for Innovative Biomaterials
(Center for Biological Resources and Informatics)
Assoc. Prof. Norihiko
ITO
E-mail Address: [email protected], [email protected]
Key words: Regenerative medicine, Alternatives to animal testing
Research Interests and Objectives:
- We are exploring the regenerative medicine for the sensory organs. Our goal is to recover the function of the
sensory organs by using the advanced stem cell technology.
- Animal testing should be banned as soon as possible. We are developing alternatives to animal testing by using
the technics for the regenerative medicine.
Collaborative Organizations
Center for Biological Resources and Informatics
The Support Division provides education, training and safety
management in the handling of radioisotopes and accelerators, the
most advanced instruments and loca-tions for radioisotope research,
recombinant DNA tech-nology, and experimental biology, and
maintaining labora-tory animals and plants.
Sections: Isotope Experiment, Gene Experiment, and Experimental
Biology.
The Research Division carries out leading bioinformatics research on
proteins, DNA and RNA.
Sections: Protein Informatics, Genome Informatics, RNA Informatics.
Frontier Research Center
This research center fosters the creation of new indus-tries based on
technologies developed at Tokyo Tech. Activities such as the
formation and promotion of collabo-rative research projects, technology transfer, and support for venture businesses in the field of
biotechnology, information technology, material science and environ-
mental technology nurture the industrial potential of our breakthroughs and talent. The Research Function for
Bioscience and Biotechnology is one of the center's most important
functions.
18
Suzukakedai Campus Map
3
Map
J3 Bldg.
13,520m2
J3
Ask Foreign Student Office for further information:
Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku Tokyo 152-8550, JAPAN
Fax: 81-3-5734-3443 Tel: 81-3-5734-2304
URL: http://www.gakumu.titech.ac.jp/nyusi/prospectus/index_e.html
2013.4.1