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Genetics and Breeding Lab
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A genetics and breeding lab that reads plants' genetic information and links it to the development of new cultivars.
AboutAbout the lab
Understanding genetic information to make better use of plants.
The Genetics and Breeding Lab studies plants' genetic information and the mechanisms of life.
It works with fruit trees such as apple and pear, vegetables such as tomato and cucumber, crops such as barley and potato, and ornamental flowers such as petunia and torenia.
In breeding, which produces new cultivars, it is important to clarify the molecular mechanisms behind their characteristics.
The lab's research ranges widely, from observation and modes of inheritance, to gene discovery and identification, gene expression, and protein interactions.
Key terms
- Self-incompatibility
- A trait in which the pistil recognizes and rejects pollen from the same individual, avoiding mating between close relatives
- FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization)
- A method that uses fluorescently labeled probes to light up where a target DNA sequence lies on a chromosome
- Genomic selection
- A breeding method that predicts future traits from DNA information and selects promising individuals at the seedling stage
NewsLab news
A Project Assistant Professor and a master's student received an Excellence Presentation Award at the 149th Meeting of the Japanese Society of Breeding
Associate Professor Minamikawa received the Young Scientists' Prize in the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
A doctoral student received an Excellence Presentation Award at the 148th Meeting of the Japanese Society of Breeding
A doctoral student received a Best Presentation Award at the 76th Annual Meeting of the Chromosome Society of Japan
Associate Professor Minamikawa received the Chiba University Advanced Academic Award
ResearchResearch themes
The lab seeks to understand plants' genetic information and life systems, aiming for a world that can make better use of plants. Its research is built on three pillars: self-incompatibility, chromosomes, and breeding that uses genome information.
*Illustrative imageMechanisms of self-incompatibility
Self-incompatibility is a phenomenon in which the pistil recognizes and rejects pollen from the same individual. It is thought to promote outcrossing and maintain the genetic diversity of a species. Using Rosaceae fruit trees such as pear and apple, as well as petunia, as materials, the lab investigates which genes act, and how, in the pollen and the pistil.
*Illustrative imageChromosome research in horticultural plants
Observing chromosomes reveals classification and diversity through their number and shape (karyotype). Using FISH, which makes DNA fluoresce so it can be seen, and GISH, which visualizes the genome, the lab detects the distribution of repetitive sequences and chromosomal mutations such as translocations and inversions.
*Illustrative imageSupporting genome sequencing with FISH
In genome sequencing, the goal is to assemble the sequences that have been read into chromosome-length sequences, but regions that are hard to read remain, so misassemblies can occur. The lab uses FISH analysis to check the actual arrangement on the chromosomes, helping to find and correct errors.
*Illustrative imageBuilding a foundation for genome-based breeding of fruit trees
Fruit trees such as citrus, apple, and pear take a long time to bear fruit, so developing a new cultivar takes years. The lab is developing genomic selection methods that predict traits such as fruit skin color and fruit weight from DNA information, so that selection can be made as soon as seedlings emerge.
MembersFaculty
Members of the Genetics and Breeding Lab include faculty, JSPS Research Fellows, research students, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorHidenori Sassa
- Associate ProfessorShinji Kikuchi
- Associate ProfessorMai Minamikawa
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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: “Petunia flowers in BD” Anik Sarker / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Mechanisms of self-incompatibility: “Rosa 'Apple Blossom' 03” Wilrooij / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Chromosome research in horticultural plants: “Tulip Tulipa clusiana 'Lady Jane' Rock Ledge Flower Edit 2000px” Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man). Co-attribution must be given to the Chanticleer Garden. / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Supporting genome sequencing with FISH: “Illumina Hiseq 2000 sequencers, BGI Hong Kong sequencing room” Scotted400 / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Building a foundation for genome-based breeding of fruit trees: “Young apple trees bearing fruit - geograph.org.uk - 1476095” Stephen Craven / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (花卉園芸学研究室
（松戸） ): “Flowers in the greenhouse at Hall Place - geograph.org.uk - 4867522” Marathon / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped) - Related lab (果樹園芸学研究室): “Pear Orchard at Castle Fruit Farm - geograph.org.uk - 8152442” Jonathan Billinger / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (宇宙園芸学研究室): “Genetically modified, extemely dwarf tomato plants grow aboard the International Space Station (iss073e0031528)” NASA Johnson Space Center / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (植物環境工学研究室): “IFarm.fi Vertical farm Finland” ifarm.fi / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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