Drug Discovery Sciences course

March 31, 2013

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¡¡To conduct laboratory and applied pharmaceutical research based on microbial genetic information, a research theme is selected from those listed below. Before its selection, all research themes are explained, and basic experiments are carried out.

1. Genomic analysis of microorganisms producing materials with useful biological activities and the functional analysis of unknown genes
2. Proteome analysis and transcription analysis of bacteria producing bioactive materials
3. Application of microbial genetic information for the production of materials
4. Analysis of genes involved in the biosynthesis of bioactive materials and analysis of the regulation of gene expression
5. Search for, and functional modification of the genes of enzymes useful for the conversion of materials

- Training sessions to learn basic computer operations and script language are provided concerning themes requiring gene analysis.

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¡¡Research themes are selected from those listed below concerning the creation of new drugs including anti-infectious drugs by the techniques of organic synthesis using naturally-occurring materials.

1. Determination of the relative and absolute structures of naturally-occurring materials with useful biological activities
2. Establishment of efficient methods for the complete synthesis of naturally-occurring materials with useful biological activities
3. Synthetic pharmaceutical research using naturally-occurring materials with useful biological activities as leads
4. Synthesis of macrolides with novel actions and the elucidation of their mechanisms
5. Development of non-naturally-occurring bioactive materials for the analysis of body and cell functions
6. Creation of novel functional molecules using naturally-occurring bioactive materials
7. Screening of microorganisms for naturally-occurring bioactive materials

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1. Search for materials with novel biological activities derived from microorganisms effective for the control of infections (viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasite infections, and the animals transmitting them)
2. Search for novel bioactive materials derived from microorganisms effective for the treatment of important diseases (including cancer and lifestyle-related diseases)
3. Clarification of the intracellular target molecules of bioactive materials produced by microorganisms
4. Analysis of cell functions and the mechanisms of their control using bioactive materials produced by microorganisms

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¡¡The following research themes are addressed with bacteria and actinomycetes as primary targets.

1. Isolation and classification of unknown and unculturable microorganisms
   Research is carried out to develop simple methods for the detection and isolation of rare microorganisms and methods for the selection of useful microorganisms by detecting genes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.
2. Evaluation of culturing for the production of bioactive materials
   Culturing conditions such as temperature, ventilation rate, and nutritional conditions are evaluated and applied to the search for bioactive materials. Exhaustive analysis of secondary metabolites is also conducted, and the isolation and purification of produced materials are attempted.
3. Research on genes that control morphological differentiation by the genomic analysis of actinomycetes

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¡¡Regarding the use of traditional Japanese and Chinese medicines and Kampo medicines, research themes are selected from those listed below for the clarification of their pharmaceutical actions and action mechanisms on the molecular level and the identification and application of pharmacologically active ingredients.

1. Research concerning the comprehensive analysis of pharmacological actions, pharmacologically active ingredients, and combined effects, and the action mechanisms of Kampomedicines
   1) Analysis of the pharmacological effects of Kampo medicines mediated by regulation of the mucosal immune system
   2) Analysis of the pharmacological effects of Kampomedicines on infections including influenza viral infection
   3) Analysis of the pharmacological effects Kampomedicines on disorders of brain functions and psychiatric and neurological disorders
2. Clarification of the structures of polysaccharides as pharmacologically active ingredients of traditional Japanese and Chinese drugs and the mechanisms of their activities
3. Development of systems for evaluating the pharmacological effects Kampomedicines and the search for drug materials with new concepts from naturally-occurring materials such as traditional Japanese and Chinese medicines