Research themes
Biocatalysts such as enzymes and microorganisms have high catalytic activities under mild condition without generating by-products. When the enzymes and the microorganisms are used as catalysts in chemical processes, it becomes possible to develop environment-friendly processes with resource-saving and energy-saving. Aiming at the develop of such bioprocess, from the viewpoints of chemical reaction engineering and biochemical engineering we are engaged both in basic and applied researches, such as exploration of enzyme and microorganisms that are useful as industrial catalysts, development of industrial biocatalysts using gene engineering, protein engineering, and enzyme engineering, characterization of the biocatalyst, the design and development of bioreactors, and synthesis of functional polymers useful for the bioprocesses. Furthermore, we are also developing environment-friendly bioprocesses based on these researches. Especially, we are involved in development of organic solvent tolerant biocatalysts (enzymes and microorganisms), synthesis of functional polymers and particles, and the development of their bioprocess.
♦ Development of Organic Solvent-Stable Enzyme
♦ Development of New Functional Macromolecules
♦ Establishment of Three-Dimensional Culture System of Human Cell