Developing innovative technologies that harness the ecological functions of microorganisms.

Our research group aims to develop engineering applications by elucidating the abyss of life from a multilayered perspective based on microbial ecology. We will contribute to achieving the goal of “realizing the advanced bioeconomy society” as stated out in Japan’s bioeconomy strategy.

Microbial ecology is a field of study that aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the biosphere by uncovering the roles of microorganisms in individual ecosystems and their relationship to biogeochemical cycles, including natural environments such as oceans, rivers and wetlands, symbiotic environments with hosts such as humans, plants and aquatic life, and also artificial environments such as paddy fields, farmland soil and wastewater treatment processes.

Understanding the biosphere through microbial ecology is attracting attention from the perspective of applied research because it leads to the creation of technologies for efficient agriculture and fisheries production, effective use of waste and wastewater, and reduction of greenhouse gases, as well as bio-manufacturing technologies that make full use of microbial metabolic functions.