研究内容

Yamanashi Prefecture contains rich freshwater environments, including lake systems such as the Fuji Five Lakes and 610 rivers. However, only several inland waters have been studied for their aquatic plants and algae, and their growth environments. Consequently, without any investigation into what species exist or their abundance, the algae and aquatic plants inhabiting inland waters within Yamanashi Prefecture are facing extinction due to global warming, riverbank modification, and water pollution. Our laboratory brings together students aspiring to become teachers with a strong commitment to freshwater environmental issues. To date, we have conducted distribution surveys of macroalgae (macroscopic multicellular algae), including “Marimo” (Aegagropila brownii), and aquatic plants in the Fuji Five Lakes and over 100 rivers, researching their relationship with the aquatic environment. During this process, it has become clear that macroalgae coexist with diverse microorganisms, including actinomycetes (e.g. we discovered a new species of actinomycete from a filamentous algae growing in rivers). Actinomycetes may produce unknown compounds useful for drug discovery, and it is anticipated that numerous undiscovered actinomycetes will be found in Macroalgae. By collecting macroalgae and aquatic plants from various freshwater habitats across the prefecture, and making these biological resources available for research, we aim to contribute to advancements in drug discovery and the conservation of freshwater biodiversity.