Japanese Top>Publication>NIAS news>No. 49
[NIAS Boad of Executive Directions] [Research Topic]
[Research Collaboations] [Awards & Recognition] [Meeting Report]
[Events]
NIAS Board of Executive Directors
The current executive directors of NIAS consist of President Hirohiko Hirochika, Vice-presidents Tsukasa Nagamine and Hiroaki Machii, and Auditors Wataru Kise and Mineo Hasegawa. The board also includes Research Director-general Mitsunori Kurihara, Research Director Kiyoshi Asaoka, Management Director-general Michihiro Ohyama, and Internal Control Director-general Fumikazu Kenmochi.
Establishment of a method to suppress the composition of the black pigment in insects.
The group of Mizuko Osanai-Futahashi (Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit) succeeded in suppressing black melanin formation in silkworm, fruit fly and ladybug, using the silkworm gene encoding arylalkylamine-N-acetyl transferase. Black melanin pigment is widespread on the body surface of insects. The overexpression of this gene causes dominant and distinct effect, which is easily distinguished by the naked eye, and can be utilized as a marker for transgenic insects in both larval and adult stages. Application of this novel marker should facilitate the use of transgenic techniques, and promote molecular studies and production of biomaterials in insects.
Identification of the gene controlling number of vertebrae in pigs.
The group of Satoshi Mikawa (Animal Genome Research Unit) identified the novel gene responsible for the number of vertebrae in commercial breeds for pork production. Additionally, an efficient method for genetic testing that could enhance meat productivity and control meat quality was developed. Pigs are known to vary in the number of vertebrae which is also associated with body size. This affects meat productivity and reproductive performance directly as well as some traits involved in growth and fat deposition. Elucidating the gene responsible for the number of vertebrae is therefore expected to make significant impact in pig production.
A delegation from the Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA) of Thailand led by Dr. Peeradet Tongumpai came to Japan from April 9-12, 2013 to visit several research institutes and get an overview of current trends in rice research. During their visit to NIAS on April 12, the delegation was welcomed and briefed by NIAS President, Dr. Hirohiko Hirochika. They also visited the Genebank and were given an overview of various research activities on management and preservation of plant genetic resources.
Several NIAS researchers were recognized for outstanding work and contribution to the advancement of science and agriculture. The 2013 MEXT Minister Commendation for Science and Technology was awarded to Takeshi Izawa (Functional Plant Research Unit). The 2013 Japan Prize of Agricultural Science and the Yomiuri Prize of Agricultural Science was awarded to Masahiro Yano, director of the Agrogenomics Research Center. Recognitions from various scientific societies include the 2012 Achievement Award of the Japanese Society of Sericultural Science to Keisuke Mase formerly of the Division of Insect Sciences (now with Nihon Univ), the 2013 Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology Fellowship Award to Toyomi Kotaki (Insect Growth Regulation Research Unit), the Japanese Tissue Culture Association Young Investigator Award to Ayumi Oshikata (Animal Immune and Cell Biology Research Unit), and the 2013 Japanese Society of Breeding Encouragement Award to Yusaku Uga (Rice Applied Genomics Research Unit) and Ken Naito (Biodiversity Research Unit). Awards for Best Scientific Paper were given to Shunsuke Adachi (Rice Applied Genomics Research Unit) by the Japanese Society of Crop Science for the paper entitled “Identification of chromosomal regions controlling the leaf photosynthetic rate in rice by using a progeny from japonica and high-yielding indica varieties”, and to Susumu Mochizuki (Disease Resistant Crops Research Unit) by the Phytopathological Society of Japan for the paper entitled “Localization of probe-accessible chitin and characterization of genes encoding chitin-binding domains during rice-Magnaporthe oryzae interactions”.
The Joint Symposium of NIAS and the Japanese Society of Sericultural Science was held on March 18, 2013 at the Tsukuba Norin Hall. The theme focused on next-generation technology aimed at harnessing the potential of insects. A lecture on the use of supercomputer and robotics in exploring the brain of insects such as silkworm given by Prof. Ryohei Kanzaki, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology of Tokyo University was the main highlight of the symposium.
Cultivation of transgenic crops for exhibition.
In order to increase public awareness on safety of GMO, the NIAS is maintaining experimental fields for exhibition of transgenic crops. This year, the cultivation of transgenic crops, which are grown worldwide and also used in Japan, including insect resistant maize and herbicide resistant soybean started on May 8 and June 4, respectively. The experimental fields are open for viewing to the general public.
Cultivation of transgenic rice in isolated fields.
Transgenic rice crops including rice with cedar pollen peptide, rice with cedar pollen vaccine, rice with multiple disease resistance, and rice with modulated flowering time response are grown in isolated experimental fields with controlled environment for biosafety purposes. Cultivation of transgenic rice was started on four separate occasions on April 24, May 29, June 12 and July 10, 2013.
NIAS Open House 2013.
The yearly NIAS Open House was succesfully organized on April 19-20, 2013 in conjunction with the Tsukuba Science and Technology Week. Various events, exhibits, lectures and demonstrations were held to give the general public an overview of researches and experiments being conducted in the Kannondai and Owashi campuses.
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