RESEARCH (My project)
Bacterial Proliferation Model Emphasizing Mutualistic Specialization
Bacteria possess various functions such as proliferation, movement, bioluminescence, and secondary metabolism. However, conventional bacterial proliferation models have focused solely on the process of proliferation. Therefore, in this study, we introduced non-proliferation tasks into the model. This task involves the degradation of toxic substances by bacteria. Consequently, the collective benefit to the entire bacterial population can be achieved through this decomposition task.
Proliferation of Drug-Resistant Bacteria through Plasmid Transmission
Drug-resistant bacteria pose a global threat. While they emerge due to various factors, plasmid-mediated transmission is one of the key contributors. Within plasmids, drug-resistant genes are harbored, and the acquisition of such plasmids leads to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. However, the conditions under which bacteria newly acquire plasmids remain unclear. In this study, a simple mathematical model is constructed to examine the administration conditions of antibiotics.
Comparison of Microbial Ecosystems in Multiple Hot Springs
Nagano Prefecture's Jigokudani Onsen is the world's only hot spring where wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathe. Microorganisms in the thermal water environment hold value as genetic resources, making the establishment of novel genomes crucial for future biotechnology. Additionally, understanding viruses infecting microorganisms in the thermal water environment is of significant importance. These viruses exist in extreme environments, providing insights into how viruses behave in environments akin to the origins of life. In this study, by conducting metagenomic analysis on multiple sources within Jigokudani Onsen, we explore the ecogenomics of the thermal water environment. The metagenomic analysis encompassed amplicon analysis (16S and 18S rRNA genes) as well as shotgun metagenomic analysis.