English
Research area
Every organism on earth lives under various kinds of environmental stress.
We investigate the mechanisms of adaptation of plants, mainly microalgae,
to stress, using physiological, biochemical, and molecular biological techniques.
The research covers the microenvironment of functional proteins in the
cells and the phylogeny of microalgae. The following research projects
are being conducted at present.
members & research themes
Members: Prof. S. Fujiwara, Ph. D., Assist.Prof. N. Sato,
Ph. D.,
Res. Assoc. K. Okada, Ph. D.
Themes:
1) The effects of CO2 concentration on microalgae: The role of pyrenoid, which is a compartment in
chloroplast, in photosynthesis and the regulation of gene expression of carbonic anhydrase are being
investigated. The biotechnology of CO2 fixation in microalgae is also explored.
2) The phylogeny of microalgae on the basis of Rubisco genes (rbcL, rbcS): Haptophyta, including calcareous
microalgae, is the focus of this research. Genes responsible for calcification are also being sought.
3) Lipid synthesis in chloroplast and its role in thylakoid membrane: How the change in lipid composition
affects proteins responsible for photosynthesis is being studied.
Publications:
Res. Assoc. K. Okada, Ph. D.
Themes:
1) The effects of CO2 concentration on microalgae: The role of pyrenoid, which is a compartment in
chloroplast, in photosynthesis and the regulation of gene expression of carbonic anhydrase are being
investigated. The biotechnology of CO2 fixation in microalgae is also explored.
2) The phylogeny of microalgae on the basis of Rubisco genes (rbcL, rbcS): Haptophyta, including calcareous
microalgae, is the focus of this research. Genes responsible for calcification are also being sought.
3) Lipid synthesis in chloroplast and its role in thylakoid membrane: How the change in lipid composition
affects proteins responsible for photosynthesis is being studied.
Publications:
 SQDG contribution to PSII in various photosynthetic organisms |
 Signal transduction for FBA gene expression in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 |
 |
 Pleurochrysis haptonemofera |