Plant Genomic Network Research Team

Laboratories

Contents of Research

Plants have mechanisms that adapt to various environmental stress changes. We have analyzed novel chemical, epigenetic, RNA and peptide regulation mechanisms in environmental stress adaptation and acclimation by cutting-edge genomic approaches. We have analyzed regulatory networks of tuber root development in cassava, an important starch resource crop in the tropics, by integrated omics analyses. We aim to develop useful plant resources, such as enhanced stress tolerance and improved plant productivity by use of chemical regulation and transformation technologies.

  1. Analysis of RNA regulation mechanisms in environmental stress adaptation and acclimation.
  2. Analysis of epigenetic regulation mechanisms in environmental stress adaptation and acclimation.
  3. Analysis of peptide regulation mechanisms in environmental stress adaptation and acclimation.
  4. Development of useful plant resources, such as stress-tolerant plants by use of chemical compounds.
  5. Analysis of regulatory networks of tuberous root formation in cassava and development of useful cassava plants, such as improved plant productivity.

1. Analysis of RNA regulation mechanisms in environmental stress adaptation and acclimation.

Recent studies have suggested the involvement of RNA regulation in plant environmental stress adaptation. We have performed the research aiming at elucidating the RNA regulatory mechanisms involving non-translated antisense RNAs, RNA degradation and stabilization in environmental stress adaptation. Utilizing the knowledges obtained, we aim to develop the technologies such as increased stress tolerance.

  1.   <Publications>
  2. This research was Press Released.
      Press Release (Kurihara et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106:2453-2458. (2009))
      Press Release (Nakaminami et al., Mol Cell Proteomics 13:3602-3611(2014))
      Press Release（Matsui et al., Plant Physiol. (in press)(2017))
  3. Research contents were introduced in RIKEN Research Highlights.
      Matsui et al., Plant Cell Physiol. 49: 1135-1149.(2008)
      Nguyen et al. Plant Cell Physiol. 56:1762-1772.(2015)

2. Analysis of epigenetic regulation mechanisms in environmental stress adaptation and acclimation.

It has been suggested that epigenetic regulation plays an important role in plant environmental stress adaptation and tolerance. We have performed the research aiming at discovery of novel regulatory networks involved in enhanced environmental stress adaptation by elucidating epigenetic control mechanisms such as histone modification.
  1. <Publications>
  2. Research contents were introduced in RIKEN Research Highlights.
    Kim et al. Plant Cell Physiol.49:1580-1588.(2008)
    Kim et al., Nature Plants 3: 17097 (2017)
  3. This research was Press Released.
    Press Release (Sako K et al., Plant Cell Physiol. 57:776-783 (2016))
    Press Release (Ito H et al., Scientific Rep. 6:23181 (2016))
    Press Release (Kurita et al., Scientific Reports 7: 45894 (2017))
    Press Release (Kim et al., Nature Plants 3: 17097 (2017))
    Press Release (Ueda et al., Plant Physiol. 175:1760-1773 (2017))
  4.  The Figure by Dr. Kim J.M. was selected the cover image of  Plant Cell Physiol. 53 (5) 2012.
      ←a pdf file is open.
  5. RIKEN group has started JST CREST project in collaboration with NARO and Tokyo Univ. of Science (2013-2018).
    Project Title：Enhancement of Environmental Stress Adaptation and Production of Useful Biomass through Understanding of Epigenome Regulatory Networks in Plants.
    Project Leader：Motoaki Seki.Link

3. Analysis of peptide regulation mechanisms in environmental stress adaptation and acclimation.

In recent years, it has been reported that functional peptides with physiological activity are involved in various life phenomena of plants. We have conducted the research aiming to identify novel peptides involved in the abiotic stress tolerance.
  1.   <Publications>
  2. This research was Press Released.
      Press Release (Hanada K et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 110: 2395-2400.(2013))
      Press Release (Nakaminami K et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 115:5810-5815.(2018))

4. Development of useful plant resources, such as stress-tolerant plants by use of chemical compounds.

The drought and salt stress damages caused by environmental changes such as global warming have become a serious problem, such as decrease in the yield of crops on a global scale. We aim to develop the technologies for enhancing the environmental stress tolerance without inhibiting plant growth, using the compounds and genome editing technology. By advancing this research, we aim to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  1.   <Publications>
  2. This research was Press Released.
      Discovery of a new compound to enhance plant salt tolerance. (Sako et al. (2020) Scientific Rep. 10:8691)
      Press Release(Nguyen HM et al., Front. Plant Sci. 8: 1001.(2017))
  3. Research contents were introduced in It Ain't Magic Science Blog.
      Plant peptide spells relief from salty stress.
      Transgenic plants on acid survive without water.

5. Analysis of regulatory networks of tuberous root formation in cassava and development of useful cassava plants, such as improved plant productivity.

Cassava is a tropical crop that can grow even under unfavorable environments, such as high temperature, dry soil and poor soil. Tuberous roots are formed on the roots of cassava. The starch synthesized in this tuber is a source of foods and income generation, and cassava is an important crop for food security and industrial application for 1 billion people worldwide. For the sustainable food production, we have conducted the research aiming at elucidating the molecular mechanisms of tuberous root formation etc. We aim to develop the technologies for creating useful cassava, such as increased productivity and enhanced environmental stress tolerance.
  1.   <Publications>
  2. This research was Press Released.
      Research contents were introduced in RIKEN Research Highlights.
      Elucidation of tuberous root formation mechanism in cassava. (Utsumi et al. (2020) Plant Mol. Biol.)
  3. Research contents were introduced in It Ain't Magic Science Blog.
      Cassava engineered to produce healthier tapioca starch
  4. RIKEN has performed the Asian-Africa Science & Technology Strategic Cooperation Promotion Program by the Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science & Technology (Project Title: Towards food security in Asia and Africa by development and application of advanced molecular breeding technologies for the tropical crop, cassava, Project Leader: Motoaki Seki) in collaboration with Mahidol University and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) for 3 years (2009-2011)-
  5. RIKEN groups have started JST e-ASIA project between Japan, Vietnam and Thailand (2012-2015).Theme:Advancement of Asian Cassava Molecular Breeding by Genetic Transformation and Heavy-Ion-Beam Mutagenesis Link
    PIs:
    Japan: Motoaki Seki (RIKEN CSRS)
    Vietnam: Ham Huy Le (AGI)
    Thailand: Narangajavana Jarunya (Mahidol Univ.)
  6. Japanese groups have started JICA/JST SATREPS project between Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand (2016-2020).
    Project Title: Development and Dissemination of Sustainable Production System Based on Invasive Pest Management of Cassava in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.
    PI： Prof. Keiji Takasu (Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University）
    ODA Recipient Countries: Viet Nam / Thailand / Cambodia
    Link
  7. Japanese groups have started JSPS Brain Circulation Project in collaboration with CIAT and AGI（2016-2018)
    Project Title: Establishment of international research network led by Japan for the most advanced genome editing research in crops.
    Project Leader: Dr. Hiroyuki Tsuji (Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City Univ.)
  8. Japanese, Spanish and German groups have started JST (SICORP) EIG CONCERT-JAPAN project（2017-2019) Project Title: Comparative potato and cassava OMICS for sustainable crop production. Project Leader: Dr. Salome Prat (Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC Department of Plant Molecular Genetics)