Metabolic Genome Engineering

Maximizing capacities of plants and microorganisms for chemical synthesis in expanding the production and use of bioproducts

Departure from our dependence on fossil resources requires creation of bioproducts essential to our lives through innovative methods. Using genomic analysis data that are increasing exponentially as well as synthetic biology, genome engineering, and data science, the Metabolic Genome Engineering project will artificially maximize capacities of plants and microorganisms for chemical synthesis in developing and configuring sustainable production systems.

The project will promote the synthesis of useful substances from plants and microorganisms by taking on the challenge of developing smart organisms through designing metabolic pathways from the interactions of multiple cells, creating advanced forms of breeding of plants and microorganisms that make up the production systems, and synthesizing compounds that had been difficult to develop using existing chemical synthesis. There are many potential targets, including raw materials for the chemical industry, functional foods, drugs, and raw materials for cosmetics. Development of the technology base and partnership with the industry is expected to bring about further advances in this field.