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Plant Epigenetics Engineering Laboratory
Associate Professor / NISHIMURA Taisuke
- Developing new plant breeding techniques through molecular innovation
- “Epigenetics”, a control mechanism of gene expression
- Effective research demands independent experimental management
Associate Professor / NISHIMURA Taisuke
He places students’ learning and well-being as his highest priority, fostering a supportive research environment. He actively guides students in research work and provides valuable, constructive advice. Through frequent lab visits, he ensures students receive timely help and assistance when needed. He encourages independent thinking and discussion, helping students strengthen their logical and scientific skills.
Research Content
Rapid global population growth and climate change have increased the demand for sustainable strategies to improve crop productivity and food security. Epigenetics involves the regulation of gene expression without altering the DNA sequence and is studied to understand how plants control growth and respond to environmental signals. This knowledge is especially valuable for developing stress-resilient crops with improved traits. Arabidopsis and tomato are widely used model plants due to their well-characterized genomes, short life cycles, and relevance to crop research.
Observation of transgenic plants expressing GFP fusion protein using a fluorescence microscope.
A Day in the Lab
A typical day in the laboratory includes a well-structured and supportive academic routine, with seminars held twice a week that enhance learning and discussion. Communication in the lab takes place in both English and Japanese, creating an inclusive and globally oriented research environment. The laboratory actively supports internship opportunities for undergraduate students, including both domestic and overseas programs, helping students gain valuable research experience. The lab maintains an environmentally friendly, professional, and comfortable atmosphere, where senior and junior members strongly support and assist each other, and regular gatherings during the semester further strengthen teamwork and collaboration.
Group Photo
Thesis Subjects
- (M)Transcriptome analysis of an Arabidopsis pathogen epi-mutant with enhanced pathogen resistance and chromosomal assignment of responsible genes for the resistance
- (M)Optimization of screening conditions for Arabidopsis mutants exhibiting heat resistance and isolation of candidate epi-mutants
- (M)Study on Arabidopsis plants with various functional modifications of a candidate gene responsible for the enhanced shoot regeneration in epiRILs epi-mutant phenotype
The number of
PhD Graduates
0
Major employers of Graduates
- System-alpha Co., Ltd.
- SHIN NIPPON AIR TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
- Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions Corporation
- ITAGE Corporation
- Niigata Environment Hygiene Central Laboratory Company
- NAGASAKA APIARY CO., LTD.
- Toray Engineering Co., Ltd.
- KOKUYO Co., Ltd.
- Taikisha Ltd.
- NIPRO PHARMA CORPORATION
