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Breeding Biology Lab (Associate Professor Toshiki Uji)
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A lab that uncovers how the red algae used for nori reproduce, and links this to breeding technology.
AboutAbout the lab
Understanding seaweed reproduction to lay the foundation for breeding
The Uji Lab studies the mechanisms of seaweed reproduction, focusing on laver (amanori) red algae, the raw material for nori.
Seaweeds are thought to sense changes in their surrounding environment and regulate the switch from growth to reproduction, but the mechanism is still unknown.
To enable sustainable seaweed production, the lab works to clarify reproductive mechanisms and to develop technologies that form the basis of breeding (variety improvement).
The lab also studies the reproductive mechanisms of Gracilaria (ogonori), a red alga used as a raw material for agar.
Key terms
- Red algae
- A group of seaweeds with red pigments. They include Pyropia yezoensis, the raw material for nori, and Gracilaria, the raw material for agar
- Gametophyte
- The generation in a seaweed's life cycle that produces germ cells. In Pyropia yezoensis, it is the leafy part we eat as nori
- Promoter
- A region of DNA located upstream of a gene that determines when and how much the gene is expressed
- Genome editing
- A technology that cuts an organism's DNA at a targeted site to modify a gene as intended
ResearchResearch themes
To produce seaweed sustainably, it is necessary to understand seaweed reproductive strategies and then carry out seaweed bed conservation and aquaculture and stock enhancement. Focusing on laver red algae, the lab studies the mechanism that switches reproduction and the techniques for investigating gene function.
*Illustrative imageSubstances that promote sexual reproduction in nori
The lab found that ACC, the precursor of the plant hormone ethylene, promotes sexual reproduction in gametophytes of Pyropia yezoensis (susabinori). It has also shown that ethylene itself does not act, but its precursor acts as a hormone, and that ACC increases resistance to oxidative stress.
*Illustrative imageIntroducing genes into nori cells
Using the particle gun method, which fires DNA-coated gold particles into seaweed cells with cell walls by gas pressure, the lab succeeded in introducing genes into P. yezoensis cells. By using promoters derived from P. yezoensis and modifying DNA sequences to suit it, the introduced genes can now be expressed stably.
*Illustrative imageGenome editing in seaweed
Applying the gene introduction technique it developed, the lab is developing technologies to strongly express or suppress useful genes, as well as genome editing technology that can easily modify targeted genes. The goal is to make breeding possible in a short period and to create varieties suited to specific uses, such as fast growth and functionality.
MembersFaculty
- Associate ProfessorToshiki Uji
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Nara-034 hg” H. Grobe / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Substances that promote sexual reproduction in nori: “Neopyropia yezoensis” Anonymous Powered / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Introducing genes into nori cells: “Pyropia sp. - Kristiansand, Norway” Ryan Hodnett / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Genome editing in seaweed: “Nori seaweed farming 1” Miketsukunibito / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Mizuta Lab (Breeding Biology Division)): “Laminaria digitata (at low tide)” Hans Hillewaert / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Ura Lab): “Mesocentrotus nudus” Dmitry Ivanov / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Marine Animal Reproductive Biochemistry Lab (Aquaculture Biology Division)): “Erwin National Fish Hatchery eyed rainbow trout eggs 24 March 2022” Ryan Hagerty/USFWS / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Breeding Biology Lab (Assistant Professor Kazuki Sugawara)): “CSIRO ScienceImage 952 Undaria pinnatifida Japanese kelp” division, CSIRO / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
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