Exploration for useful marine microbes
We explore mainly for marine bacteria, as bacteria are so diverse and are thus supposed to show various functions. We utilize the microbes including their genetic resources.
Recent Topics
- Non-biodegradable plastic degrading bacteria
Huge amount of plastic garbage is now a big problem in the ocean. Thus, we are developing for a novel plastic-biodegrading technology using marine and terrestrial bacteria. At the moment, we are trying to biodegrade plastics which are highly resistant to bioremediation.
- Novel carotenoid-producing bacteria
Carotenoids have attracted great attention due to their beneficial effects on human health, e.g. their potential in the prevention of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. We have a potentially novel carotenoid producing marine bacterium, and are going to search for such novel carotenoid producing marine bacteria.
- Marine bacteria producing novel antibiotics.
Discovery of novel antibiotics are necessary for use against emerging multiple-drug-resistant bacteria. We obtained novel bacteria which were able to inhibit the growth of globally threatening multi-drug resistant bacteria. We are now trying to isolate antibiotics from them using their whole genome sequence.
- Metabolite analysis of a bacterium which dominated in a deep-sea environment.
One bactetium dominated in a deep-sea environment. We are now trying to elucidate why it was there by analyzing its metabolites.
- Marine bacteria producing oils which can be used as (bio)fuel.
We obtained such a bacterium.