Our strengths are "Screening and discovery technology of microorganism and enzyme" and "Seamless development capability from exploration to applied development (social implementation)".
By leveraging this strength to solve social issues, we aim to use microorganisms and enzymes to solve the most pressing issues related to "environment, resources, and life".
Specifically, We are working on the development of the following:
・ Plastics’ bio-recycling system for carbon neutrality
・ Enzymatic assay system

Strengths

Screening and discovery technology of microorganism and enzyme

We can help you if you have high screening themes which are abandoned.
We will use various innovative our know-how to discover novel microorganisms and enzymes that have never been seen before.

Seamless development capability from exploration to applied development (social implementation)

For application development, we will apply advanced improvements using the most advanced technologies in the world, ranging from gene discovery to artificial design of enzymes using the latest AI and big data.
Furthermore, we repeatedly make advanced enzyme to meet customer needs.
In some cases, we are willing to go back to the search and produce products that can truly be used in the field which can be practicable.

Technical information

In order to resolve social issues, we aim to use microorganisms and enzymes to solve the most pressing issues related to "environment, resources, and life," and are conducting research and development on the following two issues.

Development of plastics’ bio-recycling system for carbon neutrality

“Learning from nature's providence” We believe that the use of microorganisms and enzymes is in accordance with this principle. Plastics can be said that the major product of mankind in the 20th century. Petroleum, the main raw material of plastic, is also a product of nature. However, it has not been not considered decomposition and circulation from the beginning of the invention.Therefore, we aim to return synthetic polymers plastics to useful resources with the help of microorganisms and enzymes that are part of the natural cycle.

Specifically, we are working on the following:

  • Screening for microorganisms capable of degrading target resins (synthetic polymers) such as plastics and rubbers from the natural world.
  • Identification of enzymes from microorganisms involved in the degradation．
  • Analysis of the degradation products.
  • Analysis of changes in physical properties of resins

Enzymatic assay system

It’s important to know current conditions for both humans and the environment.
In recent year, it’s extremely important to develop a diagnostic kit to find illness in the early stage for humans.
It’s necessary to have a better kit for a long, healthy, and restful quality of life.
Our healthy life can be extended by the kit.
In the same way, the assay techniques are important to know current conditions for the environment.

Specifically, we are working on the following:

  • Quality assessment of mitochondria and chloroplasts

Lipids (fats and oils) that are closely related to normal cellular functions, such as cell youth, sperm vitality, and photosynthetic activity, are being identified. Among the phospholipids that make up cell membranes, acidic phospholipids such as phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and cardiolipin (CL) have been identified. We are developing a simple, easy and low-cost method to measure these lipids using enzymes.

FAQ

What is an enzyme?

Enzyme is a catalyst made from protein.
Catalysts accelerate chemical reactions millions of times.
Even our cells, thousands of enzymes make them alive.
For example, the stomach secretes the digestive enzyme pepsin, which breaks down meat and other proteins to help digestion.
In nature, fallen leaves eventually turn into soil through the action of microorganisms' enzymes.
In this way, Enzymes works for not only decomposition but also acceleration of chemicals reactions.

What is plastics degradation by enzymes?

In brief, plastic degradation means that breaking down large plastics molecules into small plastics molecules.
If we compare plastics with 100 train cars, it's something similar to separate cars into one by one or several cars.
In some disassemble cases, it may cause an additional modification(changes) such as additional flags put to train couplers or doors.
Plastics is that large molecular weight and huge molecular (high molecular=thousands of train cars) which is made by bonding chemically with monomer(single train car) which is small molecular and made from law material of oil.
If this high molecular is broken down, it will become a small molecular.
In some case, it returns to original monomer and in some other case, only a part breaks down and becomes medium-sized molecule(oligomer) which consists several monomers.
In addition, it may be converted into a molecule with a structure slightly different from that of the monomer (raw material). Enzymatic degradation of plasticss often

How does enzymatic plastic degradation differ from other recycling methods? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Since the enzymatic plastic degradation method can operate with normal temperature and pressure, this is very eco-friendly way comparing with other recycling methods.
This is a recycling method which is energy-saving, CO2 emission-free, no hazardous metals or solvents, little waste (by-products) and wastewater.
The disadvantage is that it is time-consuming and costly in many cases.
However, the latest example of enzymatic recycling for polyester (PET) completed 90% of degradation within just one overnight.
Initially, in case of polyester (PET), the enzyme could complete less than 1% of degradation in one day however improvement of the enzyme has made it practical.
This is case by case however enzyme recycling has many possibilities like this example.