Realizing a healthy, active, aged society and creating a sustainable society

New Research Results

Novel Bacteria Parasitizing Archaea

AIST researchers, in collaboration with JAMSTEC, Hokkaido University and Tohoku University, have succeeded in cultivating an ultrasmall bacterial strain parasitizing archaea and classified the strain PMX.108^T as new species and genus of Minisyncoccus archaeiphilus.
We have discovered, for the first time in the world, bacteria that parasitize the methanogenic archaea, which play a central role in anaerobic wastewater treatment systems. The ultrasmall bacterium inhibits the growth of the host methanogenic archaeon Methanospirillum hungatei. This study represents the first successful cultivation of ultrasmall bacteria that parasitize archaea, which evolutionarily diverged approximately 4 billion years ago and exhibit significant biological differences in cell membrane lipids, genetic information, and other biochemical characteristics. The bacterium was observed to have limited host range and to attach only host archaeon-specific sites.
Furthermore, we have proposed a new phylum Minisyncoccota formerly known as Candidate phyla radiation (CPR). The phylogenetically classification and deposition of the CPR bacterium to a public culture collections will advance research on the CPR bacteria, and is expected to advance our understanding of the physiology and ecological role of the bacteria, which have remained a mystery until now.

The first successful two-strain co-culture of the ultrasmall CPR bacteria Minisyncoccus archaeiphilus strain PMX.108^T (=JCM 39522^T).
^*Figures from the original paper are quoted and modified.

Creation of a Novel Bio-based Adhesive Using Euglena-derived Materials to Bond Automotive Structural Components

AIST researchers in collaboration with Asahi Kasei Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Asahi Kasei") have demonstrated that an adhesive comprising polysaccharides (paramylon) extracted from the Euglena cells (hereinafter referred to as "Euglena adhesive") achieves sufficient strength for use in automotive structural materials.
Euglena adhesive is a bio-based adhesive comprising paramylon, which accumulates in large quantities in the cells. It is prepared by adding fatty acids to paramylon. The Euglena adhesive can bond aluminum plates with a strength that surpasses the requirements for aluminum automotive structural materials. This bond strength is similar to that of conventional petroleum-based epoxy adhesives, primarily used for automotive structural materials, and exceeds the bond strengths of previously reported bio-based adhesives.
Conventional adhesives used for automotive structural materials offer high adhesive strength. However, they are difficult to disassemble, thereby making it challenging to dismantle end-of-life vehicles and reuse their parts. By contrast, aluminum plates bonded with the Euglena adhesive can be easily disassembled via heating (easy disassembly). Furthermore, the disassembled aluminum plates can be re-bonded by reheating, thereby achieving nearly the previous levels of adhesive strength.
Waste generated from end-of-life vehicles (ELV) adversely affects the environment. To address this issue, the EU introduced the ELV Directive in 2000 to facilitate the disassembly, reuse, and recycling of vehicle parts. Hence, adhesives with high adhesive strength and easy disassembly properties are required. The newly developed Euglena adhesive, which combines strong bonding performance with easy disassembly, holds promise for addressing environmental challenges posed by ELVs.
Details of this technology were presented on December 6 at the 1st International Conference on Bio-joining, held in Porto, Portugal, from December 5–6, 2024.

Strong enough to lift a polar bear: a high-strength bio-based adhesive made from Euglena

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.