Useful fingerprint microbes and the synergistic effects for science literacy

• Project/Area Number: 15K12369
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Science education
• Research Institution: Gunma University
• Principal Investigator: Ito Tsukasa 群馬大学, 大学院理工学府, 准教授 (80431708)
• Research Collaborator: SHODA Sayako ; Siti Sarah Binti Abdul Rahim ; YAMANASHI Yu
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2016)
• Budget Amount: ¥3,770,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥870,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥2,210,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥510,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
• Keywords: 指紋微生物 / 染料 / 脱色 / マイクロバイオーム / 染色廃水 / 皮膚常在菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study focused on bacteria living on the human hands, which we call "fingerprint bacteria". The purposes of the study were to evaluate dye-degrading ability of fingerprint bacteria and variation in the dye-degrading ability among people. First, we designed the experimental method to assay dye-degrading ability of many fingerprint bacteria. The use of soft agar medium and pre-incubation before adding a dye in test tubes enabled to visualize the dye-degrading ability in 48 hours. By using this method we successfully examined the dye-degrading ability of many bacteria collected from four specific human groups, which are different in their ages and occupations. Our results suggested that ages and occupations likely affect the presence of dye-degrading bacteria on their hands.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ヒトは微生物と常に一緒にいる。また、その微生物はヒトの生活習慣の影響を受けて、機能を進化させている可能性がある。その中には環境汚染物質を分解できる有用な微生物も存在する。有用な微生物を特殊な環境ではなくヒトから獲得できれば、従来より格段に容易に有用微生物を獲得できるようになる。また、ヒトが有用微生物を保持していることでヒトの価値を高めることにもつながる。

Research Products

• [Remarks] 群馬大学大学院理工学府 水環境微生物研究室
  • URL: http://www.ce.gunma-u.ac.jp/bio/