MHLW: 12 locations now have permission for human cell culture processing technology, and 1748 more applications are being registered.
Nikkei Biotech, July 14, 2015
“Initiatives for Next-Generation Aviation Fuels”, Tokyo announces roadmap to use biomass-derived aviation fuel by Tokyo Olympics 2020
The business plan calls for optimizing technologies for aviation fuel production from municipal waste, microalgae cultivation, natural oil, waste food oil, non-edible and wood biomass until 2020 to an extent that a demonstration program can be installed during the Tokyo Olympics and Parolympics 2020. Key members of the consortium are the University of Tokyo, Boeing […]
Mandom Co. starts research program with Osaka University on regenerative medical technology for cosmetics
The target of the cooperation will be to develop functional cosmetics and regenerative medical technologies. The focus is on stem cell culture techniques and tissue reconstruction concerning skin and skin appendages. Mandom Co. news release, July 9, 2015
Collagen vitrigel in bandage films: a promising material for the treatment of skin injuries.
A team around Toshiaki TAKEZAWA of Saga University and the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences have developed a bandage material based on collagen vitrigel, containing no free water, which in animal experiments led to good healing properties without leaving scars. The development is done in collaboration with Yutoku Pharmaceutical Industry and Kanto Chemical Co. NIAS […]
RIKEN: endosymbiotic bacteria may help termites to degrade lignocellulose
A team at RIKEN’s Biorsource Center has succeeded in genome sequencing of an endosymbiont close to the Dinenympha genus whose DNA could be isolated from protists in termite gut. The genome shows sequences indicating the capacity to degrade lignocellulose. The authors presume that the endosymbionts support degradation of lignocellulose in termite gut to acetic acid, […]
Hokkaido Bioethanol liquidates business, not profitable without subsidies
The company established by various cooperatives and supported by Mitsubishi was established in 2007 in Shimizu, Hokkaido. Originally based on sugar beet as C-source, business was troubled by poor beet harvests and a growing reluctance to use edible raw materials for gasoline production. With growing operating losses and reduced public support, the shareholders decided in […]
RIKEN group finds candidate genetic mutations for long QT syndrome
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an arrhythmogenic disorder that can lead to sudden death. Using whole exome sequencing analysis of 59 LQTS and 61 unaffected individuals in 35 families and 138 unrelated LQTS cases, 92 candidate mutations in 88 genes for 23 of the 35 families were identified. RIKEN news release, July 3, 2015
Tohoku Medical Megabank announces completion of omics data of first 501 healthy Japanese
In the long-term program to investigate genetic and proteome information of the Japanese relevant for a personalized medicine, the Tohoku Medical Megabank system announced that they have introduced the omics data of the first 501 persons, healthy volunteers, into the relevant database. Nikkei Biotech news release, July 7, 2015
RIKEN installs 1020 MHz NMR
In a cooperation among JEOL, Kobe Steel, the National Institute of Material Science and RIKEN, the strongest NMR magnet provding 1020 MHz (24.0 Tesla) was installed at RIKEN Yokohama. The magnet is 5 m high and weighs 15 tons, it is cooled by liquid helium. Applications will be in complex proteins, polysaccharides and whole cells. […]
Jichi Medical School starts first gene therapy clinical study on AADC deficiency
The patient at Yamagata Medical University is a 15 year old boy, and a viral gene carrier for the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase gene (AADC) is used. 16 similar treatments in Taiwan are reported partially successful. Yomiuri Shinbun, July 2, 2015