Associate Professor OSANAI Takashi of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, School of Agriculture received the 25th Enzyme Application Symposium Research Encouragement Award from Amano Enzyme Science and Technology Foundation. The award ceremony was held at Amano Enzyme Jizendo Hall on Friday, June 21, 2024.
The award recognizes young researchers who conduct basic or applied research on enzymes that have an impact on industry.
Title: Elucidation of metabolic control mechanisms in microalgae and production of raw materials for food and chemical products
Associate Professor OSANAI has been conducting the elucidation of metabolic mechanisms of microalgae and research on carboxylic acids as raw materials for food and bioplastics. The Associate Professor found that, among microalgae, fermentation of unicellular cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 releases carboxylic acids to the extracellular space, and in particular that genetic modification of malate dehydrogenase, an enzyme in the citric acid circuit (TCA cycle), increases the amount of carboxylic acid produced. Cyanology Co., Ltd., a venture company launched by Meiji University, is also working with a number of companies to develop technologies for the use of carbon dioxide.