News
2023.10.4 Wed
  • ALL

OU project “Producing Functional Chemicals via Microbial Fermentation” selected for the Green Technologies of Excellence Project

Producing microorganisms that can produce plastics and fuels from excessive CO2, which causes global warming…

Young researchers from 13 national universities and research institutes are set to begin such a dream-like research project, with a researcher from OU as its leader. As is evident from OU’s roots that reach back to Osaka Technical School with its department of brewage, the only one in Japan in the 1930s, OU has a long history of microbial fermentation research.

The project “Developing the design-build-test-learn cycle for Biomanufacturing Technology to Explore Various Microbial Functions” led by Professor HONDA Kousuke (International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech), Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI) at Osaka University) was selected for the Green Technologies of Excellence (GteX) Project sponsored by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

GteX aims to create revolutionary seeds of technology and nurture outstanding talent that will achieve green transformation (GX) to drive a transition to non-fossil energy by supporting R&D and human resource development at universities and other institutions.

With advanced technologies of participating research institutes, the research team will develop artificial microorganisms to produce useful substances via fermentation by examining and improving diverse metabolic reactions of microorganisms. They will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the stable supply of energies by manufacturing CO2-based raw materials for fuels, resins, and fibers through fermentative production of chemicals using these microorganisms. (Figure 1)


Fig 1. Overview of the project 

(Producing functional chemicals via microbial fermentation instead of fossil fuel-based chemical synthesis)

Participating research institutes

  • Osaka University
  • Kobe University
  • Osaka Metropolitan University
  • Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
  • Kanazawa University
  • Nagoya University
  • Kyoto Institute of Technology
  • Kyushu University
  • National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
  • The University of Tokyo
  • Nagoya University
  • Hiroshima University
  • National Institute for Materials Science

In addition to researchers in agricultural chemistry and biochemical engineering, researchers in mathematical analysis, electrochemistry, and public policy will join this team to conduct interdisciplinary research. From Osaka University, 7 early- and mid-career researchers, including the project leader, join this project. (All of them concurrently hold positions at OTRI, an organization established to create innovative areas of research.)

By taking advantage of high basic research ability of academia and taking in opinions from society and industry, the team will translate results in basic research into businesses as soon as possible. In addition, this project will nurture next generation researchers who can be active on the world stage toward solving global challenges by encouraging early-career researchers and graduate students to perform research overseas.

Comment from Professor Honda

Japan has led microbial manufacturing as shown in the discovery of microorganisms that make amino acids through fermentation and isomerization from glucose to fructose. Under this project, early-career researchers with wisdom and enthusiasm in the related fields will develop next generation biomanufacturing technology that leads green transformation.

Related Links

share !