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New Research Results

Assist with Ozone! Pest Control with Low Environmental Impact

In collaboration with E-Tech Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "E-Tech"), the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) discovered that the insect repellent effect of isoparaffin is enhanced by mixing it with ozone, which is widely used for sterilization and other purposes. While chemical insecticides demonstrate potent, immediate effects against target pests, they impose significant environmental burdens, including impacts on non-target organisms and humans. Additionally, frequent use can result in pests developing resistance, thereby restricting their use. Consequently, efforts are underway to combine chemical insecticides with physical insecticides that block the spiracles causing suffocation. However, physical insecticides, such as spiracular blockers, have drawbacks, including low immediate effectiveness, which makes the shift away from chemical insecticides difficult.
The newly developed technology improves the speed of effect and insecticidal efficacy of isoparaffin, a physical insecticide that previously served only limited purposes. Spray tests against public health pests revealed that a mixture of isoparaffin and ozone demonstrated higher insecticidal efficacy than isoparaffin alone. The time to suffocation death was shortened by up to approximately seven times. Isoparaffin have low environmental impacts and are used in many cosmetics and food products. This technology is expected to be applicable in the future for low-environmental-impact control of public health pests like mosquitoes and cockroaches, as well as agricultural pests such as stink bugs.

Not for hearing but for symbiosis

Researchers at AIST conducted a detailed analysis of glycans and gene expression information in neural cell populations differentiated from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, identifying their diversity and the characteristics of highly expressed glycan antigens. They also successfully identified glycan markers capable of labeling non-target cells.
Cell populations differentiated from iPS cells for regenerative medicine applications contain various "non-target cells" alongside the target cells. These cells must be identified and removed, as they may impact therapeutic efficacy and safety. Markers that distinguish cell type and state, such as surface proteins or glycans, are useful for removing non-target cells. However, the types of non-target cells present vary depending on the target cell type and differentiation induction method, making it difficult to create a marker common to all. Consequently, there is a need for technology to identify the types of non-target cells specific to each cell manufacturing process and determine/find specific markers for each type.
Here, we performed a detailed analysis of the glycans and gene expression in a population of neural cells differentiated from iPS cells. We used a technology developed by AIST called the 'single-cell glycan-RNA sequencing method' (hereinafter referred to as the 'scGR-seq method'), which enables the simultaneous analysis of glycan and gene expression for each individual cell. As a result, we successfully identified the cell types of non-target cells present within the neural cell population and the glycan markers capable of labeling them. This achievement contributes to advancing quality control and separation techniques for iPS cell-derived cells, and it is expected to enhance the safety and efficacy of regenerative medicine.
Details of this technology were published in Stem Cell Reports on September 4, 2025 (Eastern Time).

Development of Glycan Markers for Differentiated Cells Derived from iPS Cells Using scGR-seq Method

Open Innovation Laboratory

Since FY 2016, as a part of the “Open Innovation Arena concept” promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), AIST has created the concept of “open innovation laboratories” (OILs), collaborative research bases located on university campuses, and has been engaged in their provision. We are planning to establish more than ten OILs by FY 2020.

AIST will merge the basic research carried out at universities, etc. with AISTʼs goal-oriented basic research and applied technology development, and will promote bridging research and evelopment and industry by the establishment of OILs.