• Applied Marine Biology (AMB) Degree Program
  • Applied Marine Biology
    Future Global Leadership Program
    Tohoku University Faculty of Agriculture

HOME > Research & Faculty

Aquacultural Biology

Advanced technologies for artificial seed (juvenile) production, control of reproduction and growth in a healthy condition are necessary to achieve efficient production in bivalve aquaculture. We focus on

  1. signal transduction of neurohormones and sex hormones via receptor mechanisms in relation to reproduction and endocrine disruption and
  2. cellular and humoral defense mechanisms as an innate immune system associated with non-self recognition and elimination,

to aim at the above-mentioned goals.

Fisheries Biology and Ecology

Biological production processes and population dynamics of marine bio-resources are studied in the coastal waters, estuarine and tidal flat areas.

  1. Analysis and evaluation of functioning of coastal and estuarine areas as nursery grounds for larvae and juveniles of marine organisms
  2. Survival processes of marine organisms in the early life stages
  3. Analysis and evaluation of impacts of fisheries on marine ecosystem

to aim at the above-mentioned goals.

Marine Plant Ecology

In subtidal rocky communities, kelp and fucoid forests have relatively high levels of primary production, of which productivities are more than those of tropical forests. These forests also include myriad associated biota and collectively act as one of the most diverse and productive ecosystem in the world. For preservation of high productivity and sustainable fishery production in subtidal rocky communities, our studies focus on

  1. species interaction between benthic herbivores and marine algae,
  2. photosynthesis and nutrient uptake of marine algae, and
  3. production and population dynamics of benthic herbivores and marine algae,leading to development of marine forestation and cultivation technologies.

Marine Biochemistry

Current researches are centered on the studies of the distribution and metabolism of various components, and the isolation and characterization of new biologically active components in various aquatic organisms. Main themes are

  1. enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidative mechanisms of lipids in aquatic organisms,
  2. metabolism of nonglyceride-lipids of aquatic organisms,
  3. distribution and metabolism of fat-soluble vitamins of aquatic organisms,
  4. distribution and metabolism of stereoisomer of free amino acids in aquatic organisms,
  5. isolation and characterization of new biologically active components in aquatic organisms, and
  6. nutritional requirement of aquatic organisms.

Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Science

In Laboratory of integrative Aquatic Biology (LIAB), we concentrate on the study and education for aquatic field. The goal of our study is to establishthe integrative systems including effective utilization of ocean space and sustainable yield of aquatic organisms. We work wide range of topics as follows:

  1. Conservation and population genetics researches of aquatic animals and sea weedsusing DNA markers;
  2. Elucidating of inheritance modes of economical traits in shellfish through traditional crossing experiments and the breedings;
  3. Complex study of biology and environmental engineering to control and manage biological invasion through ship's ballast water.

Biological Oceanography

Plankton and other organisms in lower trophic levels are playing an important role in establishing, maintaining and altering global environment as well as sustaining production of marine ecosystems. We are studying plankton and benthos not only from the view point of sustainable resource utilization, but from biological oceanographic interests to clarify structure and function of marine ecosystems, and evaluate the effects of global warming on marine ecosystems. Research fields span from nearby coastal area to remote oceans such as North Atlantic and Antarctic Oceans. Major topics include biology, ecology and molecular ecology of protozoans and plankton, ecology of euphausiids, effect of global warming on molluscs, ecology of polychaetes and molecular ecology of dinoflagellates.

Fish Genetics

Our laboratory investigates genetic questions of aquatic organisms, mainly:

  1. (Developmental genetics on flatfish metamorphosis) Genetic understanding of development and metamorphosis of Japanese flounder;
  2. (Genetic improvement of aquaculture fishes) The estimation of genetic parameters in quantitative traits in the guppy and its application for aquaculture fishes;
  3. (Genetic conservation of aquatic organisms) The estimation of genetic population structure for the construction of conservation method;
  4. (Efficient sequence analysis methods) Developing time- and/or space-efficient algorithms for analyzing biological sequences based on theoretical computer science.

International Marine Science

The Applied Marine Biology (AMB) program brings together students and faculty members from a variety of academic backgrounds and geographic localities to foster a collective international mindset when it comes to matters of ocean education and conservation. Having personally conducted my graduate work outside of my home country of Canada, I recognize the unique challenges international students face when adjusting to a new country, and its language and culture. English language instruction provides a common platform for students to gain a solid background in the expanding field of Applied Marine Biology and an opportunity for students to discover the local culture and language along-side their international student peers. Tohoku University spans multiple campuses in Sendai City, with the Graduate School of Agriculture Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture featuring a state-of-the-art facility on the beautiful Aobayama campus.