Seven Degree ProgramsBioscience and Bioindustry Program
The program is composed of three main fields: Animal Resources, Plant Resources, and Food Science. It aims to contribute to the creation of new bio-based industries by addressing global food issues and becoming a driving force for regional revitalization through the promotion of 6th industrialization. The goal is to train engineers and researchers who can contribute to these areas.
By gaining a deep understanding of the characteristics of biological resources, students will utilize these advantages to develop new functional foods. Additionally, the program focuses on developing food processing systems and production management systems that comply with HACCP standards by leveraging IoT and AI. Students will also work on cutting-edge breeding technologies such as genome editing and the development of optical devices. Ultimately, the program aims to cultivate highly specialized engineers and researchers capable of pioneering new approaches in the field of biological resources.
- Target Fields of This Program
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- Animal Resources Field
- Plant Resources Field
- Food Science Field
Achieving Health Through Food for Everyone:
Connecting the Understanding of Food to Health
Understanding Health Through Food
Health is based on the body’s various regulatory functions, and nutrition plays a significant role in influencing these functions. Food, primarily used for nutritional supply, is a collection of substances that connect the external and internal aspects of the body. Since food is a mixture of multiple components, understanding it requires a multidimensional approach and insight. Our research focuses on exploring food to maximize its potential for improving health.
Exploring Food Components that Support the Extension of Healthy Lifespan
We conduct functional evaluations of food components that have biological regulatory effects, aiming to accumulate knowledge on food ingredients that contribute to human health and propose ways to utilize them. Recently, our research has focused on understanding the relationship between functional foods that support muscle maintenance, which correlates with healthy longevity, and nutritional supply. Additionally, we are investigating food components with high activity and potential to generate added value.
Functional Evaluation of Food Components and Understanding Mechanisms of Action
Our research mainly uses plant-based food components. We assess the functionality of these foods through experiments involving cultured cells and laboratory animals. Through these experimental systems, we explore which types of compounds are effective. Once active components are identified, we use physiological and biochemical methods to uncover their mechanisms of action. To further develop food-related research, we also study the efficacy of food components under varying nutritional compositions and track the bioavailability of active ingredients.
New Discoveries Through the Integration of Nutrition and Food Science
Solving or alleviating health issues is a concern for people regardless of their region, age, or gender. To achieve health through food, it is essential to understand both food and the body. My research focuses on understanding food components, but my background as a registered dietitian allows me to design research considering human dietary habits, which is one of the strengths of my research. I hope that by unraveling the unexplained functions of food, I can contribute to solving health-related challenges.
Further Research Development Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
I aim to advance my research by collaborating with experts both within and outside the university. This includes not only areas deeply related to health, such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep, but also collaboration with industries that create solutions for health.
Mukai RieAssociate Professor
In the doctoral program, you can acquire the skills to solve challenges while embodying your beliefs. Do you have a problem you want to solve? Are there people you wish to help? If you have ideas, I encourage you to pursue solutions through research. As you progress in your research activities, you will not only become a professional skilled in advanced technologies but also develop into a generalist who can understand multiple disciplines from a broad, comprehensive perspective.
