Our laboratory investigates the bioproduction and bioanalysis technologies of amino acids and the bioremediation technologies for organophosphorus compounds. More specifically, we have isolated a lactic acid bacterium that can produce a large amount of D-aspartate, a valuable material for the production of antibiotics, and are developing D-aspartate production technology using the bacterium. We have also found various D-amino acid-degrading enzymes in microorganisms and are developing novel D-amino-acid detection methods using these enzymes. Furthermore, we have obtained bacteria that can degrade organophosphorus flame-retardant plasticizers, toxic environmental pollutants, and are developing a microbial removal technology for these flame-retardant plasticizers.