Life Science and Biotechnology (Research Institute for Cell Engineering)

What we call "Cell Engineering" is a new concept of technology in which nanotechnology, materials engineering, and information technology are integrated with conventional cell biology. The AIST Research Institute for Cell Engineering (RICE) was launched in April 2004 in the AIST Kansai Center in order to realize structural and technical innovation in cell engineering through a developmental merger of the AIST Tissue Engineering Research Center and the Special Division for Human Life Technology. RICE is conducting researches with particular emphasis on the development of novel technologies for sensing, manipulating, and utilizing functions of cells and tissues.

For the development of production and use of technologies for cell/tissue devices, analysis and control of the genes responsible for cell differentiation is a key challenge. However, due to the huge number of human genes involved in differentiation, a comprehensive analysis is necessary in order to clarify their interrelationships. For this purpose, the Cell Operation Research Group developed a new cell chip, the Transfection Array (Fig. 1), and a high throughput screening technology for the abovementioned gene clusters, and is also carrying out a gene network analysis.

The Cell Dynamics Research Group developed a "bioluminescence molecular probe" (Fig. 2) which takes advantage of the diversity of bioluminescent systems. Using this device, the group has created new systems which enable light ⇔ material, light ⇔ information, and light ⇔ light conversion and control at the cell function and is carrying out technical development for visualization of functional changes promoted by cells and cell manipulation based on this information.