Microbial Genomics; Environmental Bioinformatics
“Advanced Biosciences” seminars (Arakawa, Kanai, Kuroda, Kono, Sugimoto, Suzuki, Soga, Naito and Hirayama) are operated along with Academic Project “Advanced Biosciences” for graduate students.
All members, including faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduate students are involved to research projects.
The seminar(s) to be taken will be announced when students are notified of their permission to enroll."
Please check our website for more details. https://www.iab.keio.ac.jp/en/index.html
Microorganisms (such as bacteria and viruses) play crucial roles in various environments, including the human body, buildings, sewage, air, soil, and plants. However, some microorganisms act as causes of infectious diseases, posing a threat to human health. In this study, our goal is to understand the evolution and diversity of microorganisms using bioinformatics and genome sequence analysis techniques, with the aim of applying this knowledge effectively across diverse fields, including medicine, agriculture, and engineering.
The increase in microbial infections can be attributed to factors such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogens, as well as social factors like urbanization and human mobility. If no measures are taken, it is predicted that by 2050, infections caused by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogens could result in 10 million deaths worldwide annually, so-called a 'hidden pandemic.' To prepare for the next pandemic, it is crucial to monitor the status of urban microbiomes and share data.
We have been collecting microbiome data in various cities and periods (e.g., before, during, and after the Olympics and Paralympics). We submit this data to public databases that can be accessed by anyone without restrictions. These datasets are expected to be effectively utilized in understanding the diversity and dynamics of microorganisms.
The findings of this research are expected to contribute to various fields, including biodiversity, public health, forensic science, architecture, and urban planning.