Symbiosis and Environment

Through understanding the symbiotic relationships between plants and microorganisms and utilizing these insights, we contribute to the production of crops and materials that reduce environmental impact.

Although symbiosis with microorganisms in the environment is essential for plants to survive, the mechanism is not yet entirely understood. This program aims to realize agriculture with less environmental impact by comprehensively analyzing the complex symbiotic relationships between plants and microorganisms as well as among different microorganisms as a single system. It also strives to use new, useful substances produced by microorganisms.

Research on Useful Symbiotic Bacteria

To elucidate the mechanism of symbiosis between plants and mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, we work on isolating and identifying useful genes involved in the infection process in the plants as well as the microbes. While working to understand the complex interrelationships among the environment, plants, and microorganisms, we are exploring new symbiotic microorganisms and collecting chemical communication molecules that mediate these symbiotic relationships.

Sustainable Agriculture with Disease-Resistant Crops

By isolating immunoreceptor genes critical for the plant immune system and designing synthetic biology to enhance plant immune functions, we aim to establish disease-resistant crops and cultivation techniques. We are also developing low-fertilizer and low-pesticide crop production methods that use symbiotic microorganisms. Furthermore, we work on developing digital twin prototypes for agricultural and aquatic environments based on field multiomics analysis.