Research and Development (Subsurface Microbiology Research Group)
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Northern Advancement Center for Science & Technology
H-RISE
5-3 Sakaemachi, Horonobe-cho, Teshio-gun, Hokkaido, 098-3221, Japan.
TEL+81-1632-9-4112
FAX +81-1632-9-4113
H-RISE
5-3 Sakaemachi, Horonobe-cho, Teshio-gun, Hokkaido, 098-3221, Japan.
TEL+81-1632-9-4112
FAX +81-1632-9-4113
Research Contents
Subject of Research: Elucidation of the subsurface microbial biosphere and search for microbial resources.
1. Understanding the structure of microbial communities and exploring for unknown microorganisms.
Sampling highly anaerobic subsurface microorganisms in Northern Hokkaido to investigate the microbial community structure and search for unknown microorganisms.
2. Clarification of biological and engineering functions of microorganisms.
Create a repository of subsurface microorganisms in Northern Hokkaido and elucidate their biological and engineering functions, particularly, the rate of initial methane production, organic matter decomposition, carbon dioxide fixation. The scope shall be expanded with the progress of research.
3. Acquisition of useful microorganisms (group) and gene analysis.
Acquire microorganisms (groups) with useful engineering functions present in the subsurface of Northern Hokkaido and analyze their genes. The microorganisms will be sub-cultured to find the optimal culture conditions, so they can be used as a gene resource.
4. Study on the field science to understand the subsurface environment of diatom formations and coal layers.
Estimate and evaluate the subsurface microbial ecosystem by constructing a phylogenetic database of microorganisms living in diatom formations and coal layers.
Sampling highly anaerobic subsurface microorganisms in Northern Hokkaido to investigate the microbial community structure and search for unknown microorganisms.
2. Clarification of biological and engineering functions of microorganisms.
Create a repository of subsurface microorganisms in Northern Hokkaido and elucidate their biological and engineering functions, particularly, the rate of initial methane production, organic matter decomposition, carbon dioxide fixation. The scope shall be expanded with the progress of research.
3. Acquisition of useful microorganisms (group) and gene analysis.
Acquire microorganisms (groups) with useful engineering functions present in the subsurface of Northern Hokkaido and analyze their genes. The microorganisms will be sub-cultured to find the optimal culture conditions, so they can be used as a gene resource.
4. Study on the field science to understand the subsurface environment of diatom formations and coal layers.
Estimate and evaluate the subsurface microbial ecosystem by constructing a phylogenetic database of microorganisms living in diatom formations and coal layers.

Research Topics & Publications
- Ueno A, Shimizu S, Hashimoto M, Adachi T, Matsushita T, Okuyama H, Yoshida K (2017) Effects of aerobic growth on the fatty acid and hydrocarbon compositions of Geobacter bemidjiensis BemT. Journal of Oleo Science 66:93-101.
- Shimizu S, Ueno A, Naganuma T, Kaneko, K (2015) Methanosarcina subterranea sp. nov., a methanogenic archaeon isolated from a deep subsurface diatomaceous shale formation. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 65, 1167-1171
- Ueno A, Shimizu S, Tamamura S, Naganuma T, Ohmi Y, Kaneko K. (2014) Structural alteration of humic acids by Pseudomonas spp. from deep terrestrial subsurface diatomite formations in northernmost Japan. Geomicrobiology Journal 31:654-663
- Shimizu S, Ueno A, Tamamura S, Naganuma T, Kaneko K (2013) Methanoculleus horonobensis sp. nov., a methanogenic archaeon isolated from a deep diatomaceous shale formation. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 63: 4320–4323 (adopted in cover photo).
- Shimizu S, Ueno A, Ishijima Y (2011) Microbial Communities Associated with Acetate-Rich Gas-Petroleum Reservoir Surface Facilities. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 75:1835-1837.
- Shimizu S, Akiyama M, Naganuma T, Fujioka M, Nako M, Ishijima Y (2007) Molecular characterization of microbial communities in deep coal seam groundwater of northern Japan. Geobiology 5:423-433.

Research Activities & Column
- 2019/09/03JHSS35 is held in Wakkanai, Hokkaido, Japan.
- 2019/03/29【Journal Article】Our recent paper has been published online in Geomicrobiology Journal.
- 2017/11/27Poster presentation in ConBio2017.
- 2016/08/09【Oral presentation】Oral presentation in IHSS18.
- 2016/08/08【Poster presentation】Poster presentation in ISME16.

Major Equipments
- 1. Anaerobic Chambers (Hirasawa Co., Ltd)
- 2. Deoxygenized Gas Pressure & Replace Injector:GR-8 (SANSHIN INDUSTRIAL Co., Ltd / GR-8)
- 3. Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometry (JEOL Co. Ltd / JMS-Q1050GC)
- 4. Liquid Chromatography (SHIMADZU Co. Ltd / LC20A)
- 5. Gas Chromatography (SHIMADZU Co. Ltd / GC-8A, GC-14B, GC-2010 Plus)
