MD MAJIDUL ISLAM

I am MD MAJIDUL ISLAM from Bangladesh. Bangladesh is an agricultural country. Not only food supply but also its economy depends on agriculture. During my master course, I worked on the development of crop productivity using symbiotic fungi, Mycorrhizae. I wish to learn about plant biotechnology to contribute to the agricultural development of Bangladesh. Professor Tamotsu Tanaka at Tokushima University, Faculty of Bioscience and Bioindustry, has recently found an enzyme that is related to lipid metabolism of plants. The enzyme has been hypothesized to enhance plant growth or plant cell proliferation by the production of growth hormone. The work conducted in Prof. Tanaka’s labo is fascinating for plant biotechnology, since the expression of this enzyme has a possibility to increase the producibility of all crops. However, I felt interested in studying plant growth hormone in Prof. Tanaka’s labo, Tokushima University.

Plant hormones are low molecular compounds that are produced by the plant itself and regulate plant growth. Those include gibberellin, abscisic acid, cytokinins, abscisic acid. They play an important role in several stages of plant life, such as formation of leaves and flowers, or ripening of fruits. Resistance to injury and plant disease is also a hormone-related response. Recently Dr. Tanaka’s group found novel plant signaling molecules. This research includes identification of such signaling molecules in different plants, preparation of these molecules from natural sources, proliferation tests using liquid cell culture and callus. I wish to continue research to contribute to the development of agriculture abroad as well as in  Bangladesh.

Studying as a foreign student at Tokushima University is my first overseas experience and I do believe this is the biggest turning point of my life. I have begun to know how to engage in research beyond the laboratory through living in an environment which differs from where I am from. I also had a chance to meet students, both Japanese and foreign, who have come from places with different backgrounds and cultures. In Tokushima University, the teachers are very cooperative, students are very friendly. I participated in conferences where I presented my research data. I met several scientists during conference day. The people of the international affairs division of Tokushima University are very helpful. Finally, a big thank you to the professors who are very dedicated and making tremendous effort.