Department of Life Sciences aims to build the basic scientific theories related to the life sciences overall as well as a field of study related to the development, conservation, and management of marine bioresources, and to instruct the students through the practical education. Therefore, in this department, we carry out research and education in order to allow individual students to learn the research skills required for research in the life sciences, as well as to understand basic theory related to the life phenomena of bioresources at the ecosystem, community, population, individual, organ, cell, and molecular levels. This department is composed of the two courses of Applied Biological Chemistry and Marine Biological Science. The education and research carried out by each is shown below.
Courses
Applied Biological Chemistry
In our course, we clarify the physiological functions and structures of molecules produced by terrestrial and marine life, including animals, plants, algae, microorganisms and a wide range of other bioresources using the strategy of bioscience and biotechnology in order to effectively utilize their nutritional component or bioactive substances. Using these results, we aim to establish a new basic and applicable technological system for the development of new functional molecules or foods, or environmental technology. Furthermore, we carry out advanced research and education from the perspectives of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and bioengineering, with a focus on research into the gene expression mechanisms of animals and microorganisms, the physiological functions of plant and animal cells, bio-information sensing and processing technologies, improvements of food functionality and the maintenance of health and quality of life, as well as the development of technologies for using unutilized bioresources.
Marine Biological Science
Our research field is the hydrosphere, with a focus on the oceans but also including lakes and rivers and other freshwater areas. We also look at everything in them, from plankton to algae, crustaceans, shellfish, fish and marine mammals. We aim to understand the workings of these diverse life forms at the genetic, cellular, individual, community and ecosystem levels. The methods we use include genetic analysis, physiological ecological analysis, collective analysis, behavioral analysis, and marine observation technologies including Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Moreover, we also carry out research and education on the conservation of marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, and on methods to sustainably reproduce and effectively utilize marine bioresources such as fish, shellfish, algae and so on. We also aim to enrich human life by the stable use of bioresources through the appropriate management of them as a resource, and effective increase and farming methods for them.
Laboratories
Biochemistry and Biotechnology
In this Division, to utilize various bioresources in the wide fields such as foods, health, medicine, and environment, we aim at elucidating the mechanisms of varied vital phenomena of animals, plants and microorganisms, and the structures and functions of novel biomolecules, and furthermore establishing the theories and methodologies for applying the outcome of the fundamental researches to development of functional molecules and foods, and environmental technology. For the achievement of these objectives, advanced studies and professional education are carried out by conducting various researches, including "analyses of structures and functions of novel functional biomaterials and their utilization", "the mechanism of gene expression of varied organisms", "technology of biological information processing", and "technology of unused bioresources application".
Marine Biology
It is an important problem to maintain and increase marine bioresources such as fishes and algae, in addition to the conservation of marine ecosystems. This academic course aims to conduct education and researches in biodiversities, genetics, physiology, ecology, ethology and pathology of marine creatures at the level of gene, cell, individual, population and ecosystem respectively, for the establishment of new techniques in resource management, fisheries techniques, ICT applications for fisheries, and effective sustainable use of marine bioresources. In addition, Fisheries Technology Institute (a Cooperative Graduate School of Mie University) also performs education and researches for the elucidation of biofunctions and genome analysis of marine creatures and their effective use in the field of developmental genetics, breeding science, and nutrition and metabolism.
Marine Life Science and Molecular Chemistry
In marine life science and molecular chemistry field, we research various life phenomena of microorganisms, fishes, shellfishes, and algae in marine environments at the levels of a molecule, e.g., biologically active substances, protein, and gene or genome to clarify various kinds of physiological functions. Based on these investigations, we publish scientific and technological findings to support the development of functional foods, cosmetics, disease-preventive pharmaceuticals. In addition, these findings also contribute to the improvement of hygienic conditions in manufacturing process and increasing in the quality of healthy life.