Window to Japan
In view of Japan’s declining birth rate due to late marriage and birth rates decline, infertility treatment is important and “Assisted Reproductive Technology” (ART) has been positioned as an important therapy against refractory infertility. Progesterone is considered as luteal supplement, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals has obtained regulatory approval to sell 100 mg tablets from December, 2014. […]
About 10 % of this market is covered by drinks related to the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, e. g. drinks (in particular teas) which lower cholesterol level or improve the level of blood sugar. For 2015, the market research institute predicts a stable market for health foods and drinks. Fuji Keizai Co.: H · B […]
Similar to roses and carnations, chrysanthemums also lack a 5′-hydroxylase gene which is required to produce delphinidin from cyanidin. Researchers in NAROs Tsukuba Flower Institute introduced 5′-hydroxylase gene into chrysanthemums which was expressed in the petals resulting in delphinidin formation. In order to obtain a deep-blue color of the petals, other modifications such as allowing […]
Using genome editing technology based on TALEN and the CRISPR/Cas9 system, a group around Akutsu HOTTA succeeded to repair the dystrophin gene („exon 45 skipping“) in iPS cells derived from a DMD patient. JST news release, Nov. 27, 2014
Using RIKEN’s XFEL free electron laser facilities at SACLA, the group around Jian-Ren SHEN succeeded to determine the structure of photosystem II from Thermosynechococcus vulcanus at 1.95 A resolution, elucidating the precise mechanism of the water-splitting mechanism in photosynthesis. This finding is believed to be a milestone in developing artificial systems for the conversion of […]
A group around Takashi OSANAI at RIKEN Environmental Resources Science Center and Akihiko KONDO of Kobe University has clarified the role of a histidine kinase (Hik8) in Synechocystis cyanobacteria. The enzyme is involved in photoresponsive changes of metabolism, by preventing the degradation of SigE under dark conditions, and its overexpression led to less storage and […]
The HGP peptide has been successfully tested in model animals. It is produced by dermal papilla cells which secrete growth factors promoting hair growth. The Japanese hair tonic market is about 70 billion Yen. Pharma Foods news release, Nov. 21, 2014
The development of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of cerebral infarction and spinal cord injury are under clinical investigation or in phase II, and culture automation is under development. Nipro hopes to apply for approval after 4 or 5 years. Nipro press release, Nov. 20, 2014
Using cell culture and immunoprecipitation, the group around Professor Yoshihiro KAWAOKA succeeded to identify key factors of the human host (“the interactome complex”) which are required to make influenza virus virulent, and the mechanisms of infection. These finding are useful to develop new therapies against influenza. JST news release, Nov. 19, 2014
Intended to serve as a policy design for the improvement of energy efficiency in daily life and reduction of CO2 emissions, the study group led by the Matsuhashi Laboratory came to the conclusion that the energy consumption of private households could be lowered by about 25 % within 25 years, using a bundle of measures […]