Summary of Research Project Results under JSPS FY2001 "Research for the Future Program"

Names	Institution,Department	Title of Position
Akira Yokota	The University of Tokyo, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences	Associate Professor
Takashi Yamakawa	The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences	Associate Professor
Masaharu Ishii	The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences	Associate Professor

The microbial community working in the process of degradation of urban waste (house garbage) was analyzed by modern molecular ecological techniques. A unique Bacillus-like microorganism which seems to be dominant in various processes of waste treatment was isolated and characterized. This organism has only highly limited abilities to degrade organic substrates and the reason for the dominance of this microorganism in waste-degrading processes is unclear. When oil-degrading Bacillus or E. coli are introduced in higher amount into the microbial community, those outsider microorganisms are easily expelled from the community. The waste-degrading community seems to form a special society. Development of new techniques is necessary to analyze the structure and stability of this microbial society.

1.Research Institution		The University of Tokyo

2.Research Area		Integrated Fields

3.Research Field		Causes and Effects of Environmental Loading its Reduction

4.Term of Project		FY 1997 ～ FY 2001

5.Project Number		97I00502

6.Title of Project		A New Technology to Evaluate the Risk of Environmental Toxic Agents to Human

Name	Institution,Department	Title of Position
Yasuo Igarashi	The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences	Professor

Summary of Research Project Results under JSPS FY2001"Research for the Future Program"

Summary of Research Project Results under JSPS FY2001
"Research for the Future Program"