Window to Japan
Based on the extensive tools in molecular genetics and instruments available at RIKEN Yokohama and on long-standing experience with the incorporation of unnatural amino acids in proteins such as antibodies, RIKEN will employ several teams headed by senior researchers to this field and make it a focus at its newly founded Center for Life Science […]
The team of Professor Osamu NUREKI at the University of Tokyo crystallized a “multidrug and toxic compound extrusion exporter” protein (MATE) within a lipid and solved its x-ray structure. The membrane protein is v-shaped and in the presence of a drug changes conformation to a bent shape, thus pushing a drug out of the cell. […]
After a ringtest comprising 12 Japanese organizations, flakes of ground beef, dried soybeans and mushrooms will be distributed as reference material, to be followed by brown rice. The program is in cooperation with JST. Nikkei Biotech, March 28, 2013
Retina Institute Japan, Fukuoka, develops an iPS-based cure for age-related macular degeneration. The IP is on exclusive license from RIKEN, and Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma buys for 1.500 million Yen (12 million €) on an exclusive third party agreement. Retina Institute Japan was founded only in February, 2011. Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma press release, March 28, 2013
The website offers information on stem cell stocks, including huan iPS cells, and is supported by the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare Nikkei Biotech, March 27 2013
Based on 6 months clinical studies with humans, it was found that patients drinking 100 ml per day of a drink into which 0.2 mg of ß-cryptoxanthin extracted from Satsuma mandarins was blended, uric acid content in the blood fell gradually and reached acceptable levels in hyperuricemia patients after about 4 months. The proposed mechanism […]
The vaccine is directed towards Torticollis spastica, a disease initiated by Clostridium botulinum toxin B. Eisai press release, March 26, 2013
A synthetic pathway was composed using genes from Clostridia and from Methylococcus capsulatus which utilize CO2 liberated in catabolism. Best yields were 113 g/L in 48 hrs Annual Meeting of JSBBA, Sendai, lecture 3C11p12
In collaboration with Sumitomo Rubber Industries, RITE researchers have used their principal host organism, C. glutamicum, which can be grown in a high-cell density resting mode, to engineer a new pathway leading to anilin. Anthranilic acid decarboxylase was sreened from Enterobacter cloacae and ctivity enhanced 2,5 fold by a combination of directed evolution and rational […]
Using overoxidizing bacteria such as Acetobacter, a simple fermentation procedure for the preparation of lactobionic acid from lactose was developed. Lactobionic acid is a mild acidulant and complexing agent and used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries Annual Meeting of JSBBA, Sendai, lecture 2B24a14