2023 Faculty Courses School of Life Science and Technology Department of Life Science and Technology Graduate major in Life Science and Technology
Science of Biological Resources
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Life Science and Technology
- Instructor(s)
- Kan Tanaka / Mie Shimojima / Shinji Masuda / Yuriko Osakabe / Keisuke Yoshida
- Class Format
- Lecture (Livestream)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Mon / 1-2 Thu
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LST.A502
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course focuses on basics required for using natural resources for sustainable future life. Specifically, the students will study basics and applied science on photosynthetic organisms such as algae and higher plants.
The topics will include photosynthetic light-energy conversion mechanism, photosynthetic light-signal transduction mechanisms, evolutional mechanisms of photosynthesis and photosynthetic organisms on the earth, mechanisms of symbiosis establishing chloroplasts, and mechanisms of nutrient-sensing system in photosynthetic organisms. Students will experience how photosynthesis is important for sustainable energy provision for life on the earth.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) explain how photosynthesis is important for life and the earth
2) explain molecular basis mechanisms of photosynthesis
3) explain how photosynthesis is established
4) explain mechanisms of how photosynthetic organisms capture nutrients
5) discuss future progresses on biofuel production by photosynthetic organisms
Keywords
Natural resources, Photosynthesis, Artificial photosynthesis, Nutrient sensing, Biofuel, Bioenergy, Algae, Plant
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course will be conducted by using Zoom system.
This course will be organized by five lecturers and given in English.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Photosynthesis; the most important energy conversion system on the earth (Yoshida) | Understand why photosynthesis is important on the earth |
| Class 2 | Light energy harvesting system in photosynthesis (Masuda) | Understand basics for light-harvesting in photosynthesis |
| Class 3 | Molecular mechanisms of light-signal sensing and light-signal transduction in photosynthetic organisms (Masuda) | Understand molecular basics for light-seinsing |
| Class 4 | Structure, function and development of plastids in plant cells (Tanaka) | Understand plastid functions in divergent plant cells |
| Class 5 | Function of plant cells based on organelle interactions (Tanaka) | Understand interaction among various plant cell organelles |
| Class 6 | Evolution and diversity of chloroplasts established by endosymbioses (Tanaka) | Understand endosymbiotic evolution of photosynthetic eukaryotes |
| Class 7 | Structure and function of biological membranes in photosynthetic organisms (Shimojima) | Understand molecular basis and function of cellular and subcellular membranes in photosynthetic organisms |
| Class 8 | Biosynthesis of membrane and storage lipids in photosynthetic organisms (Shimojima) | Understand molecular mechanism of lipid synthesis and its function in photosynthetic organisms |
| Class 9 | Biofuel production using microalgae (Shimojima) | Understanding importance of biofuel production using microalgae |
| Class 10 | Molecular mechanism of plant hormones as signaling molecules (Osakabe) | Understanding molecular mechanism of plant hormones as signaling molecules in photosynthetic organisms. |
| Class 11 | Molecular mechanism of signal transduction of water stress responses in plants (Osakabe) | Understanding molecular mechanism of water stress responses and photosynthesis in plants |
| Class 12 | Carbon assimilation in photosynthetic organisms (Yoshida) | Understand the molecular mechanisms of carbon assimilation in photosynthetic organisms. |
| Class 13 | Sulfur and phosphorus assimilation and their utilization in photosynthetic organisms (Yoshida) | Understand the molecular mechanisms of sulfur and phosphorus assimilation in photosynthetic organisms. |
| Class 14 | Frontiers in genetic engineering for target improvement of plants (Osakabe) | Understanding advanced technology of genetic and genome engineering to improve plant functions |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Will not be used
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Kimiyuki Sato (ed): Photosynthesis. Asakura-Shoten; ISBN 4-254-17657-0 C 3345. (Japanese) Reports to check the essential understanding will be requested for the assessment. none
Phosynthesis Education Team, The University of Tokyo; ISBN978-4-13-062214-1. (Japanese)
Robert E. Blankenship: Evaluation methods and criteria
Related courses
Prerequisites