The recombinant seasonal influenza HA vaccine ASP7374 contains three different strains of antigens and has been produced by a cell-culture manufacturing method employing the Baculovirus Expression Vector System (BEVS). The vaccine was developed in collaboration with UMN Pharma. Astellas Pharma news release, May 30, 2014
Multicenter consortium including RIKEN solves genome of Klebsormidium flaccidum, a filamentous terrestrial algae
Genome analysis reveals how algae adapted to the terrestrial environment, an important step in plant evolution. Koichi HORI et al., Nature Communications, doi:10.1038/ncomms4978
About 300 Japanese researchers achieved more than 100 million Yen each in competitive funding in FY 2013, CiRA was number 1
Kyoto University’s CiRA (Professor Yamanaka and another 24 scientists ) received grants of over 5.7 billion Yen (about 40 million €), and 264 researchers (1.7 % of total sample) received over 100 million Yen (800.000 €). About 300 Japanese researchers achieved more than 100 million Yen each in competitive funding in FY 2013, CiRA was […]
Morishita Jintan obtains patent on oral vaccine against infectious diseases
The vaccine is based on encapsulated Bifidobacteria, and the patent was obtained both in the USA and Europe. Morishita Jintan news release, May 29, 2104
Hiroshima University group nominated „National Genome Editing Research Center“
The group of Takashi YAMAMOTO which is engaged in artifical nuclease and genome editing research including CRISPR technologies was nominated by the Ministry of Education as a national hub in this field. Nikkei Biotech news release, May 29, 2014
Japan Corn Starch Co. to establish a taste research institute
The company, a comprehensive starch manufacturer, will study the taste quality of various sugars and artificial sweeteners. Nikkei Biotech, May 28, 2014
Consortium around National Agricultural Research Organisation forms consortium to identify horticultural DNA markers
The consortium comprises the Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Yokohama City University and several research stations of MAFF. From 2014 – 2018, they will study strawberdry, peack, apple, carnation, chrysanthemum and tea with respect to DNA markers relevant for breeding. The implementation budget in 2014 is 60 million Yen. NARO news release, May 27, 2014
RIKEN group develops peristaltic pump for 100% glass-based microfluidics
Yo TANAKA and colleagues have developed a valve formed by heat-sealing the ultra- thin glass of 6 μm thickness in a circular chamber of 3 mm diameter and 50 μm depth. It works with aqueous solution as well as with methanol, ethanol and acetone at maximum flow rates of 0,8 microliter per minute. RIKEN news […]
National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS) to start open facility for modified silkworm breeding
NIAS has published a protocol for breeding studies in the open field based on recombinant silkworms transformed with green fluorescent protein (EGFP), and experiments will be started in a defined facility without containment in June. NIAS press release, May 27, 2014
Osaka University starts clinical trial on artificial retina
Researchers at Osaka University