Plant Metabolic Science
| Numbering Code | G-AGR03 6CA13 LJ79 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Intensive, First semester |
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| Number of Credits | 1 | Course Type | Lecture |
| Target Year | 2nd year master's students | Target Student | |
| Language | Japanese | Day/Period | Intensive |
| Instructor name |
UMEZAWA TOSHIAKI (Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere Professor) TOBIMATSU YUUKI (Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere Associate Professor) |
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| Outline and Purpose of the Course | Lignocellulose, which is produced by vesicular plants and the most abundant renewable biomass resources on the earth, constitutes plant cell walls. This lecture introduces biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of lignocelllose and related plant secondary metabolites such as biologically active phenylpropanoid compounds. Students will develop a basic understanding of plant secondary metabolism, lignocellulose chemistry and biotechnology as well as plant biomass. | ||
| Course Goals | Students will gain an understanding of the basic concepts related to the mechanisms of cell-wall and heartwood formation, the primary metabolism in wood development, and their applications. | ||
| Schedule and Contents |
Production and utilization of plant biomass An explanation of the definition of wood will be followed by an overview of the production and utilization of plant biomass, such as trees and grass plants. Phenylpropanoid metabolism in cell-wall and heartwood formation After explaining the chemical components and tissue structures of wood, we will discuss the studies on the control mechanisms for the metabolism of cell-wall and heartwood formation (particularly the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid compounds such as lignins, lignans, and norlignans) and the current state of metabolic engineering. We will also provide an overview of the physiological activity of phenylpropanoids (particularly lignans) and the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids as valuable bioactive compounds. Plant metabolic engineering aimed at the development of a biorefinery system One of the obstacles in the development of a biorefinery system is the complexity of the tissue, chemical, and supramolecular structures of wood. We will discuss the current state and future prospects of the molecular breeding of trees and grass biomass plants, which is aimed at mitigating this problem. The organic chemistry of lignocellulose composition We will discuss the organic chemistry of lignocellulose conversion, particularly reactivity of lignin, which is essential for the development of biorefinery systems. |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy | Refer to current year's 'Guide to Degree Programs' for attainment levels of evaluation. | ||
| Course Requirements | Basic knowledge of organic chemistry, biochemistry, plant molecular biology, and plant metabolic pathways is required. | ||
| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | It is desirable that students preview their basic knowledge of organic chemistry, biochemistry, and plant molecular biology before taking the course. | ||
