Works
The main mission of the genome breeding department at IBRC is to contribute to the improvement of crop production in Iwate Prefecture of Japan through basic researches. To this end, we are currently focusing
on three main research topics:
1.
Dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between rice and
blast that is one of the most distractive decease. Rice blast, caused by an ascomycete
fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is the
most severe disease of rice throughout the world. We are analyzing rice-M. oryzae
interaction.
Matsumura et al. (2006) Nature Methods 3: 469-474
Yoshida et al. (2009) Plant Cell 21: 1573-1591
Saitoh et al. (2012) PLoS Pathogens 8: e102711
Sharma et al. (2013) Plant J. 74: 701-712
2. Developing breeding materials, as
well as isolation and characterization of novel genes controlling important
traits in rice.
Abe et al. (2012) TAG 125:647-657.
Undan et al. (2012) Gene and Genetic Systems. 87: 169–179.
Tamiru et al. (2014) New Phytologist 202: 116-31.
3.
Establishing novel methods for mapping and isolation of important genes and QTLs by next generation sequencer for accelerated breeding of crops.
Abe et al. (2012) Nature Biotechnol. 30:174-8
Fekih et al. (2013) PLoS One. 8:e68529
Takagi et al. (2013) Plant J. 74:174–83
Takagi et al. (2013) New Phytol. 200:276–83
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Our group conducts basic molecular biological researches on horticultural plants. The works cover several aspects of plant science/biotechnology such as gene cloning, metabolic engineering, molecular marker, pathology and diagnosis. Our main target is “Gentian” that is the most important ornamental flower in Iwate prefecture, Japan.
Research Topics
1. Floral pigmentation in gentian
2. Flowering and dormancy in gentian
3. Genetic engineering of novel gentians
4. Application of tissue culture and MAS in gentian breeding
5. Development of diagnoses and related techniques
6. Kobu-sho disease in gentian
7. Understanding of plant immunity
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Gentian
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Metabolome
analysis using Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS)
Q-TOF-MS
is a tool for the simultaneous determination of a few thousand of intracellular
metabolites, including amino acids, organic acids, nucleotides, and sugars. The
metabolome data obtained from this analyzer enables us to know several in vivo
phenomena. The data can be also used for an evaluation of the important
characteristics of agricultural and marine products such as tastes, nutrient
amounts, colors, and functionalities.
In IBRC, metabolome method is used in the
studies of rice, gentian, basidiomycete, and krill. Furthermore, to accelerate
and enhance our studies, we create our own metabolite database and analysis
software.
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Molecular Breeding
Plant Pathology

The aim of our department is the development of a new way to promote health using bioresources of Iwate Prefecture. We study the bioactivity of the agriculture, forestry and fisheries products of Iwate
(e.g. Pacific Krill, Shiitake mushroom, and millet) by the methods of Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Physiology and Bioinformatics.
We publish the results to promote the food industry in Iwate, and in this way we add higher value to agriculture, forestry and fisheries products.
1. We found that Pacific Krill has
anti-obese effect, and revealed that anti-obese compound was 8-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (8-HEPE). We have studied a beneficial effect of
8-HEPE on metabolic syndrome.
2. Breeding of
shiitake (lentinule edodes) new
strain that keeps lentinan (immunomodulatoryβ-glucan) high content after
harvesting.
3. Variety of
millet cultivars produced in Iwate Prefecture are investigated for finding their healthy functions and active
ingredients.
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