Exploring bioproduction abilities of diverse microorganisms

Bioproduction of valuable compounds is gaining attention as a practical solution to alleviate our dependence on fossil resources. The production and conversion of target compounds by microorganisms as cell factories is considered an important part of the solution, and particular attention has been drawn to valorization of underutilized resources by harnessing microbial functions. Our research team is investigating the application of bacteria (mainly Escherichia coli and actinomycetes) and the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae for bioproduction. We also aim to improve the production abilities and efficiency by exploring novel microbial and genetic resources. To generate microbial strains that produce a variety of compounds, our team employ techniques in genetic engineering, synthetic biological approach, evolutionary and metabolic engineering, and improving culture strategies.