Advanced microbiobes sepalation and cluturing techniques for post-Koch ecology analysis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Post-Koch Ecology: The next-era microbial ecology that elucidates the super-terrestrial organism system
• Project/Area Number: 19H05680
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Complex systems
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Sassa Fumihiro 九州大学, システム情報科学研究院, 准教授 (30722681)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: BioMEMS / ポストコッホ / ゲル充填マイクロウェルアレイ / マイクロロボット / 微生物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

As part of the development of post-Koch microbial culture technology, we have created 19 different types of gel-filled culture array devices tailored to various microbial species, culture conditions, and analytical applications. Additionally, we have developed ten types of auxiliary tools, such as devices for batch inoculation, and established foundational technology for a microrobot designed for microbial culture array operations (Patent No. 7460053, US Patent Application: US.2021388299.A1). Collaborative research with other project teams has led to significant advancements, including the discovery of new microbial species using these devices. We have compiled the processing methods and design data for all developed devices into a comprehensive library and created a standard experimental procedure manual for these microculture devices, ensuring they are easy to use for anyone.

Free Research Field

BioMEMS

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

従来にない高効率の微生物の培養・分離操作の実現を目的とし、微細加工技術を用いたポストコッホ培養分離ツール群の開発を行った。このデバイスは従来のシャーレを用いた培養と比べ1/5000程度の体積で同等の数の個別培養を可能とする。このデバイスを実証するために領域内を含む国内外の共同研究先で実証実験を行いその有効性、ツールとしての操作性・実用性を実証した。また、この培養アレイを操作するための多数の培養チャンバーを一括して操作する補助ツールの開発やマイクロロボット技術と組み合わせた新規培養操作技術など次世代の大規模集積微生物培養技術の基礎技術を構築した。