Innovation Story
Researcher Interview #1
Takashi Yamamoto
Director and Professor of the Genome Editing Innovation Center, Hiroshima University Representative Director of the Bio-DX Promotion Organization, Inc. Director and CTO of PtBio Inc.
He was an assistant professor at the Faculty of Science, Kumamoto University and an associate professor at the Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University before assuming his current position. He is involved in the development of genome editing tools and gene modification techniques, and is conducting research aimed at industrial applications. He served as president of the Society for Genome Editing in 2018 and 2019.
Hypoallergenic eggs accelerate the realization of a bioeconomy society
Digital technology is essential for efficient genome editing
Research and development of allergy-reducing eggs
This is one of the projects of the Bio-Digital Transformation (Bio DX) Industry-Academia Co-Creation Center, with Hiroshima University as the representative institution.
The BioDX Industry-Academia Co-Creation Center has been selected as a "full-scale" project under the "Co-Creation Space Formation Support Program (COI-NEXT)" promoted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and is operated with large amounts of funding from JST.
The project leader of this center is Professor Taku Yamamoto of Hiroshima University.
He is a leading researcher in genome editing.
Mr. Yamamoto is currently working on a number of initiatives aimed at realizing a bioeconomy society in which biotechnology supports a wide range of industrial infrastructure.
How do you perceive the impact that research and development into hypoallergenic eggs will have on society?
Digital technology is essential for efficient genome editing
--First of all, please tell us about the aims of the Bio DX Industry-Academia Co-Creation Center.
The Yamamoto Bio DX Industry-Academia Co-Creation Center aims to realize a "bio economy" society that enables sustainable development without leaving anyone behind by promoting bio DX. By leveraging both genome editing technology and digital technology to decipher and analyze genetic information, they aim to maximize the functions of living organisms and solve the problems facing humanity, such as food, health, and energy.
——The key point is that it combines genome editing and digital transformation.
Yamamoto :In fact, the genomic information of most organisms on Earth is not yet known. Even if we want to create something using genome editing technology, we must first decipher the organism's genomic information. To do this efficiently, automation using digital technologies such as AI is essential.
--What is the progress of digital transformation in genome editing research?
Yamamoto :Unfortunately, Japan is lagging behind. However, digital transformation requires a large amount of funding, and there is also an aspect of a lack of funds. In this situation, the BioDigital Industry-Academia Co-Creation Center is vigorously promoting digital transformation of genome editing research with support from the JST.
A place to match social needs with technology
--This is a basic question, but are you saying that a research and development center is necessary to realize a bioeconomy society?
Yamamoto: Even if the final outcomes are different, if the same technology can be applied, it is more efficient for companies and universities to come together and develop it together. Also, to realize a bioeconomy society, we need backcasting innovation, where we first consider what social needs there are, and then consider what materials and technologies are needed to meet them, and then proceed with research and development. The Bio DX Industry-Academia Co-Creation Center is also a place to match social needs with applied technologies and basic research in a backcasting manner.
——This is truly open innovation.
Yamamoto: Genome editing research is well suited to open innovation. However, even though it is open innovation, technology developers around the world are keeping a firm grip on their intellectual property. They are aiming to make the technology a de facto standard by opening it up and encouraging its use. They have a clear vision of business success. Globally, it is common for companies to have to pay huge licensing fees if they want to use the technology to create something.
INTERVIEWER What is the current status of genome editing research in Japan in terms of aiming for business success?
Yamamoto :Compared to other countries, the reality is that we are lagging behind. If things continue this way, all standards will be taken over by other countries, and Japan will not be able to dominate the bioeconomy market. To succeed in business, we need to pinpoint areas where Japan can win and take them with Japanese technology. In that case, it will be important to use technology that is easy for everyone to use, such as Platinum TALEN, which is patented by Hiroshima University, rather than technology that requires high usage fees.
Hypoallergenic eggs are "something I really want"
--Amidst this situation, research and development into hypoallergenic eggs is underway. What do you think is the significance of this?
Yamamoto: I think that it is extremely significant that research using platinum TALEN, a Japanese technology, can solve the problem of egg allergies, which many people suffer from. I think this could be a catalyst for accelerating the realization of a bioeconomy society. I don't think that social demand for genome editing will increase unless we create something that people around the world "absolutely want," and allergy-reducing eggs are exactly that "something that people absolutely want." We need to effectively appeal to them as one of the social demands.
--On the other hand, there are still people who are concerned about genome editing.
Yamamoto :That's right. In fact, with "mutation breeding," which deliberately applies radiation to cause natural mutations, it is impossible to target one place and introduce a mutation; hundreds or even thousands of places end up with mutations. The reality is that we evaluate only one of these mutations and proceed with breeding. In contrast, genome editing allows you to target one place and introduce a mutation. Scientifically speaking, genome editing is safer. It is very important to properly explain the development method and safety. Close dialogue with you all is necessary.
--Research is also being conducted on other topics besides allergy-reducing eggs, isn't it?
The theme of Yamamoto Allergy-Reducing Eggs is "promoting health and welfare through bio-DX," but research is also being conducted on the themes of "food and agritech to solve food issues" and "biomachining to promote carbon zero."
Specifically, we are working on ultra-fast breeding through "data-driven genomic breeding" and the absorption of CO2 by microorganisms.
It seems that research is being conducted on bio-manufacturing to produce useful substances.
Researchers from Hiroshima University and the School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, participated in the research.
In addition, PlatinumBio has been established as a startup to implement genome editing in society.
The company develops genome editing tools, provides data analysis and AI genome editing databases, and offers consulting services for the social implementation of genome editing, and Yamamoto serves as the company's CTO.
Keisuke Okuhara, CEO of PlatinumBio, said:
He is the deputy project leader of the Bio DX Industry-Academia Collaboration Center.
INTERVIEWER You have led genome editing research in Japan up until now, including by founding the Society for Genome Editing. What role do you think the BioDX Industry-Academia Co-Creation Center will play in society?
Yamamoto: Japan's industrial sector is losing vitality, and Japanese society is also shrinking, but I think that if we can advance product development by fusing genome editing technology with DX, it will be a catalyst for the rise of the industrial sector. I would like to make the Bio DX Industry-Academia Co-Creation Center a place of innovation for the Japanese industrial sector. I would like to realize a bioeconomy society based in Hiroshima and have a positive impact on society as a whole.
--Finally, I'd like to ask you what you dream of achieving with the Bio DX Industry-Academia Co-Creation Center.
Yamamoto :That's right. In fact, with "mutation breeding," which deliberately applies radiation to cause natural mutations, it is impossible to target one place and introduce a mutation; hundreds or even thousands of places end up with mutations. The reality is that we evaluate only one of these mutations and proceed with breeding. In contrast, genome editing allows you to target one place and introduce a mutation. Scientifically speaking, genome editing is safer. It is very important to properly explain the development method and safety. Close dialogue with you all is necessary.
--Research is also being conducted on other topics besides allergy-reducing eggs, isn't it?
Yamamoto :First of all, I hope that the technology we developed can be of some use to everyone. Also, Hiroshima has nurtured us, so I would like to give something back to the city. I would like to create something that can contribute to the local community, especially in areas where depopulation is likely to progress in the future.