OLYMPUS TECHNOZONE Vol.48 2001-01
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INDEX
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All Eyes in the World Are on Genome Science
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A full-scale approach to genome research has
only just begun at Olympus. Therefore, today we are asking a scientist
who has been involved in DNA research from its early stages to
explain his perceptions on conditions today and the future direction
of genome science.
U.S. is leading in this area of genome research
and Japan is striving to catch up. So, this requires a solid strategy
to be established. Presently, Japanese technology is very advanced
in the areas of electronics, optics, precision engineering, robotics
and the like. Japan should pursue research that actively employs
these technologies even in genome research. I personally feel that
Olympus should focus on it.
Although "Kazusa DNA Research Institute" is
only a research institute of a local authority, its research has
achieved great results from early on, hasn't it?
There are many research facilities involved
in bio technology, but our Kazusa DNA Research Institute is the
only research institute in Japan dedicated to analyzing the structure
of DNA.
Our first research object was to sequence cyanobacterium genome. Under the leadership
of former director Dr.Takanami, in 1996 we were able to sequence about 3.6 million
base pairs of the genome of cyanobacterium - a single-cell organism- and decipher
all the genes. This organism is like a primitive form of higher plants that conduct
photosynthesis. We were the first in the world to successfully sequence the genome
of autotrophic organisms. As you may know, we have recently elucidated the whole
sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana genome which comprises about 125 million base
pairs and 25,498 genes. We have also continued to focus on analysis of human
cDNA (complementary DNA), as well. We are currently analyzing the genes expressed
in the human brain. The analysis of specific cDNA code for huge proteins is quite
difficult, but we have characterized approximately 50% of the clones which code
for large proteins so far isolated in the world.
Although your work is of such great significance,
you are not reported on much in the press and other media.
That is true. Currently, most everyone is
talking about Celera Genomics (a U.S. venture company) that has
successfully deciphered 3 billion base pair sequences of human
genomes. But after the sequences are determined, it is necessary
to identify where the genes are located. This is not an easy task
and only 60% to 80% of the total may have been precisely determined.
Also even if you found the genes, it is not easy to generate proteins from it.
In that sense, all eyes are focussed on the full-length cDNA which are capable
of making proteins as we are targeting. Because of this, we have been receiving
requests for joint research from overseas. |
