Efforts to overcome global environmental problems and social issues are necessary, and biotechnology is one of the major basis for their solutions. However, in order to solve these difficult problems, huge advances in basic and applied biotechnology based on original ideas, creation of innovations through interdisciplinary research, as well as support for young scientists that will become future leaders of the next generations, are indispensable.
　The aims in this research area are to promote pioneering basic research, and to develop new technologies that will lead to create new fields and new value in biotechnology, and also to nurture young and motivated scientists capable of contributing to the solution of environmental problems in the future. We support pioneering research projects that are based on novel concepts in a wide range of fields, such as microbial or host-microbial interaction/symbiosis, ecological monitoring and engineering, bioremediation, sustainable biomaterial development, and metabolic engineering. We are also seeking a wide range of challenging research proposals that will lead to characterizations, findings and utilizations of new biofunctions.
　In promoting research, we encourage young scientists to communicate with fellow researchers, and would further support them to promote scientific networking for developing cross-sectorial research after having gathered with biotechnology as a common language. Another aim is to train human resources who can lead advanced research which would contribute to environmental problems, by providing support so that young scientists will develop wider and larger research frames towards the future, while exploring their respective research projects in the spirit of friendly competition.