The supplement contains glucosylceramide derived from pineapple, and the consumer agency permitted the claim that ingestion helps to protect skin from drying out. Hiroshima’s Maruzen Pharmaceuticals is specialized on health food and food additives and is also developing ceramides from rice and konac roots for treatment of dry skin. Nikkei Biotech news release, February 16, […]
Genomic Medicine Realization Promotion Council sets targets for genome-based medicine
The focus will be on R&D related to the relevance of genetic and environmental factors on diseases such as diabetes, carcinogenesis, dementia, myopathy etc. through clinical research. AMED should prioritize long-term fundamental research on prevention, and also on diagnosis and treatment of diseases where genomic medicine can be implemented within 1 – 5 years. Nikkei […]
Kagoshima University launches gene therapy study on soft-tissue sarcoma
The doctor-initiated clinical trials are led by Prof. Kenichiro KOI and are based on the constitutive expression of a survivin gene in cancer tissue, and an adenovirus-based vector. https://jmog.jp/治験概要説明資料_JMOG%20HP用.pdf
Hitachi High-Technologies and Promega develop small CE sequencer
In a new business tie-up, the two companies will develop a simple and inexpensive personal DNA analysis system based on capillary electrophoresis. Hitachi High-Technologies news release, February 15, 2017
Japan’s NISTEP sees China’s scientific research strength approaching that of Japan
According to an article in China Daily, an analysis by Japan’s National Institute for Science and Technology Policy comes to the following conclusions: 1. China’s economic situation is quite stable and its GDP will inevitably exceed that of the US. However, there are risks in China’s economic expansion such as corruption, tax evasion, lack of […]
MINO Ceramic Industry develops fiberless insulation material of high strength and thermal insulation, can be heated up to 1,450 C
Its thermal conductivity is 0.25 W/m · K or less. It can be used up to 1,450 ° C with characteristic strength 10 MPa or more and will be used in industrial furnaces where at present only 30 % of the energy above 800 C is used for the process. The development was done within […]
Hirosaki University applies for field test with epigenetically modified potatoes
The objective is to grow two new varieties of potatoes using siRNA for transcriptional repression of target genes on a closed field of NARO in Tsukuba. The knocked-out genes are related to storage stability of the potatoes, in collaboration with companies. The hearing on details of these experiments on February 13 was the first since […]
Daiichi-Sankyo closes subsidiary Asbio Pharma
As a consequence of a review of its global R&D structures, the company will close this subsidiary located on Kobe’s Port Island which was acquired from Suntory in 2005. The 150 employees will be distributed to other Daiichi-Sankyo’s subsidiaries. Nikkei Journal news February 10, 2017
Arkray launches seaweed research center in Hakodate
The center will focus on the industrialization of large seaweeds and producdts derived thereof, such as fucoxanthin, in collaboration with Hokkaido University. Arkray press release, February 9, 2017
University of Tsukuba establishes Functional Plant Innovation Research Center
The Tsukuba Functional Plant Innovation Research Center (T-PIRC) will consist of a center for genetic expereiments and a farm division for agricultural and forestry technology. The focus will be on genetic experiments with plants and trees. Tsukuba University press release, February 9, 2017