FACULTY RESEARCH ACTIVITY 2014

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55Bioresource and Environmental ScienceBioresource and Environmental SciencePursuing plant genome engineering and bio-refineries, from the cultivation of biomass to its utilizationDivision of Applied BiologyResearch and development are proceeding throughout the world to explore the cultivation and utilization of renewable biomass resources. When working in the private sector, I was involved in a range of technical development projects covering everything from the development of recombinant technology for the cultivation of biomass to experiments in using biofuels at coal-burning thermal power plants. Currently, I am engaged in predicting the future of bio-refineries focusing on fiber and conducting research on plant genome engineering, which forms the basis for biomass improvement.Professor Ebinuma took his current position on April 1, 2013, after working as the deputy general manager of the Energy Business Department at Nippon Paper Group, Inc. His areas of research include plant genome engineering for freely altering plant genomes and the development of a next-generation bio-renery for the biomass industry.Using SDI and CSE vectors that I developed, I am developing plant genome engineering technology that will enable the free alteration of the genome through gene swapping and chromosome removal. I hope to make this technology a worldwide standard.Outlook for researchI train my students to tackle research and development projects that meet corporate needs based on my own research experience in the private sector.Outlook for students after graduationOpening up new domains for the use of silk and searching for uses in the medical domain, including as a material for regenerative medicineDivision of Applied BiologyI am carrying out research focused on the development of new technological uses for silk that go beyond apparel. Aiming to find uses for silk in the medical domain, my lab is analyzing the structure and properties of silk from a new perspective, and we aim to create new functional silk using chemical modification, protein engineering, and genetic modification technology.After graduating from Kyoto University Graduate School, Professor Tamada worked as a researcher at the Japan Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd., (now JSR) and at the National Institute of Sericultural and Entomological Sciences (now the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences), during which time he focused on research on the use of silk. He took his current position in 2013, and his area of specialization is biomaterials.The development of materials in support of regenerative medicine is also an important challenge. I expect silk to contribute to treatment as one such material, and I believe that our research will lead to the happiness of many patients.Outlook for researchI train students to leverage their research across numerous industries and academic domains, including engineering, agriculture, and medicine.Outlook for students after graduationCSE vector technology makes it possible to freely remove plant chromosomes. Swift realization of practical applications is expected as the resulting modied genome has great value as a breeding material.SDI vector technology allows insertion of a gene at a precisely targeted spot on a chromosome. It enables highly reproducible DNA analysis, and I am working to improve this technology and promote it as a world standard.Sponge material made from 100% silk protein (broin). We are currently carrying out research on materials for cartilage regeneration, spinal cord regeneration, and surgical dressings for dicult-to-treat injuries.A domestic silkworm (left) and cocoon (right). The silkworm is a protein factory that eciently produces high-purity silk proteins with low environmental impact.Hiroyasu EbinumaProfessorYasushi TamadaProfessorGenetic exchange by SDI vectorRe-introduce the desired geneIntroduce the target geneExchangeChromosome elimination by CSE vectorRecombinationIntroduce the target geneEliminationChromosomeaberration

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