Research supervisor and Advisors

Creation of Basic Technology for Improved Bioenergy Production through Functional Analysis and Regulation of Algae and Other Aquatic Microorganisms

Research Supervisor: Tadashi Matsunaga
   　Distinguished Professor,
　　　Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
   　Senior Researcher(Professor),
　　　Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering

Biological energy production from solar energy has been a human dream for a long time. Ethanol produced from corn and sugar cane by yeast has already been commercialized as a biofuel. However, the use of these sources for bioethanol competes with food production. Therefore, the use of non-edible crop components and wood waste has become an important research target. Recently, biofuel production using algae and other aquatic microorganisms has attracted attention, because these organisms cannot only be used to produce ethanol but also to produce biodiesel fuel and other hydrocarbons. Use of the marine environment is an important advantage because the oceans cover 70% of the Earth. This Research Area aims to create innovative technologies for bioenergy production through the functional analysis of algae and other aquatic microorganisms based on recently developed “omics” technologies, using marine and freshwater organisms and specifically focuses on the production of biofuels, including biodiesel fuel, light oil (alkane and alkene), ethanol, methane, hydrogen, etc., as well as lipids and sugars that can be converted to biofuels. For that purpose, as well as the collaboration among researchers from various fields, including marine biotechnology, phycology, microbiology, bioinformatics, marine biology, biochemistry, genetic engineering, plant physiology, chemistry, chemical engineering, etc., challenging projects with creative ideas from new and active researchers are necessary. This Research Area is jointly operated with multiple CREST and PRESTO researchers. This Research Area is expected to generate basic technology for the low cost production of biofuels. The use of fossil fuels including crude oil will be decreased with the use of new biofuel production technologies. Furthermore, the establishment of new metabolic pathways in algae and other aquatic microorganisms that lead to the production of chemicals, including precursors of plastics, may change the current dependency on oil among chemical industries. Active mutual information exchange of each research progress enhances synergy between these projects and promotes further achievements, like new technologies within five to ten years through large-scale pilot plant experiments upon completion of this Research Area.