Pathogenic microorganisms (Bacteria, Fungi and Protozoa)@NBRP

National BioResource Project

Pathogenic microorganisms (Bacteria, Fungi and Protozoa)


	Center Research Center for Pathogenic Fungi and Microbial Toxicoses, Chiba University KAMEI Katsuhiko 〒260-8673 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi (Tel) 043-226-2492 (Fax) 043-226-2486

objectives

    Infections have posed a great threat to humans since prehistoric times. Penicillin was developed during World War II, with subsequent discoveries of many other antibiotics that are used to treat infections in humans. However, infections caused by drug-resistant staphylococci, tubercle bacillus, and malaria parasites have re-emerged; new infections, including AIDS and SARS, have emerged and spread widely. Altered agricultural systems and livestock production, along with enlarged and globalized distribution, have increased the incidence of food poisoning caused by Escherichia coli bacillus; outbreaks of BSE and highly pathogenic avian influenza have occurred. The emergence of opportunistic infections, including aspergillosis, in immunocompromised patients following treatment with advanced medicines, infections by weak microorganisms (and especially drug-resistant ones) that had been considered not to be pathogenic, and afferent infections carried by travelers infected overseas now pose a threat to the Japanese population. In addition, the 2001 anthrax bioterror attack shook the entire world.
    This project is intended to support those groups conducting research in infections and microorganisms, to educate students in the control of infections, and to support basic research for countermeasures against bioterrorism. In the field of pathogenic microorganisms, it has become more difficult to obtain microbial strains and DNA from abroad, following conclusion of the biodiversity treaty. However, infections spread beyond borders, and development of infrastructure for pathogenic microorganism research is necessary to ensure that the Japanese population continues to enjoy a safe and healthy life and does not develop anxiety about these issues, and to ensure that Japan contributes to international measures against infectious diseases.
    This NBRP project was launched in 2007 as a second-phase program. In the new organization of the NBRP system of pathogenic microorganisms, both the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University (sub facility) and the Graduate School of Gifu University (sub facility) have become responsible organizations for the collection, storage, and distribution of pathogenic bacteria. The Institute for Tropical Medicine of Nagasaki University (sub facility) is in charge of protozoans again. The Medical Mycology Research Center of Chiba University [formerly the Research Center for Pathogenic Fungi and Microbial Toxicoses of Chiba University](core facility) is the responsible organization for the pathogenic fungi and actinomycetes. Important goals of the second period of the NBRP project include not only the collection of many pathogenic microorganisms, but also the collection and storage of highly qualified standard pathogenic microorganisms for distribution. In addition, with revision of an infectious disease law in 2007, the storage, collection, and distribution of highly pathogenic microorganisms have become restricted. Domestic movement from one institute to other institute, as well as from foreign countries to Japan has become more difficult. Introduction of a supply system for pathogenic microbes as DNA preparations will be a useful measure to ensure safety.

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