Japan’s leading gene test company which commands about 80 % of the Japanese genetic testing market has decided to switch its microarray supplier from Thermo Fisher to a customized array of Illumina which contains SNPs from over 500.000 people, including East Asians. Genesis Healthcare aims to construct a genetic information database of 1 million people […]
NEDO starts program on safety of carbon nanotubes (CNT)
With the advent of industrial production of CNTs in the ton range, NEDO is now supporting studies on the safety of CNTs and composite products. NEDO news release, May 29, 2017
Cell technology Co. starts cooperation with Aichi Gakuin University on regenerative medicine in dentistry
Cell Technology Co. has established a network with 1700 institutional dental care facilities in Japan for dental pulp cell storage. Stem cells from neural crests in permanent teeth are easily collected and have high proliferative power. The contract with Aichi Gakuin University is on using Cell Technology’s „dental pulp cell stock“ for regenerative medicine in […]
Tokyo University group develops soft robot prototype driven by a lightweight motor based on solvent evaporation
The motor is 80 mm × 25 mm in size and weights about 3 g. It generates up to about 0.1 N · m of rotational force (corresponding to a bending force of a little finger) and the maximum operating angle reached 90 degrees. The motor is filled with acetone which is evaporated by a […]
Kyoto University group develops novel uptake mechanism for antibodies
The group of Shiro FUTAKI at Kyoto University’s Chemical Research Institute has modified a spider venom peptide – hemolytic peptide M lycotoxin – which destabilizes cell membranes such as to allow endocytosis of antibodies. The mutant M-lycotoxin L17E does not destroy the cell but opens pores by which antibodies can enter the target cell without […]
Hitachi develops novel high-precision breast cancer detection equipment, ultrasound-based
In Hitachi’s new system, the patient puts her breasts into an attached container filled with water for scanning by ultrasonic waves beamed from 360 degrees. The screening is finished in one minute, provides high sensitivity (detected a 5 mm tumor in a clincial test) and various characteristics of a tumor, such as hardness and surface […]
NEDO starts next cooperative project on new materials based on cellulose nanofiber
After large-scale manufacturing was solved in the preceding project phase and by now is done at a level of 500 t/y by Nippon Paper, the new 3 years program will focus on safety of CNF products and on the development of novel products from CNF. Apart from several universities and research centers, company members are […]
Tohoku University’s Megabank (ToMMo) and Omron Healthcare will start lifestyle study based on 5,000 volunteers
The consortium which has ample personalized information on their volunteers available, through the Megabank project, aims to develop models for the onset of diseases such as hypertension by utilizing wearable and home healthcare devices, leading eventually to the development of disease prevention rules. The project is supported by AMED. Nikkei Digital Health, May 25, 2017
Peptidream Co. will develop special peptides with Microwave Chemical Co., Osaka
The focus will be on drug candidate substances combining the advantages of antibody drugs and low molecular drugs. Microwave Chemical Co. will contribute high purity and cost-saving manufacturing concepts. Peptidream news release, May 24, 2017
19 Japanese companies form Japan Microbiome Consortium (JMBC)
Some of the companies are Ajinomoto, Astellas Pharma, LSI Mediens, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Ono Pharmaceutical Industry, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, JSR, Shionogi Pharmaceutical, Shiseido, Daiichi Sankyo, Taisho Pharmaceutical, Dainippon Sumitomo, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, DNA chip laboratory, Japan Tobacco Industry, Fuji Rebio, Mitsubishi Chemical, Morishita Junkan, and Urban Innovation Institute, Osaka (secretariat). JMBC will address the analysis of […]