Contributing to solving various social issues through advanced plant function regulation research

To address global social challenges such as climate change, energy issues, and food shortage, as well as to enhance agricultural crops and plant-derived materials for a healthier and more prosperous life, expectations for the effective utilization of plant functions are growing. Our mission is to elucidate the mechanisms that control plant functions, develop technologies for their effective use, and bring these innovations to practical application.

Plant functions are regulated by the control of gene expression, with transcriptional regulation by transcription factors playing a central role. We are improving analytical techniques related to transcriptional regulation and developing foundational technologies to elucidate the functions of useful transcription factors and other genes, as well as to create technologies for their practical application.

Furthermore, we are advancing the development of novel plant genome editing technologies and related techniques, such as gene introduction and regeneration methods, to create “custom-designed plants” tailored to diverse purposes. By leveraging our accumulated knowledge and technologies, we collaborate with private companies and other research institutions to promote multifaceted research and development in plant function control, aiming to implement these advancements into society.