Biotechnology is indispensable for urban functions. Bioprocesses maintain many substances essential for urban life, such as water and soil. Technologies for the prevention of infectious diseases in cities are another of our specialties. These are used not only in urban water supply and sewage infrastructure facilities, but also in various on-site wastewater and waste disposal facilities, as well as in fields including rivers, lakes, land, and inland bays that constitute the urban environment. The role of biotechnology in these subjects is studied in lectures, and that knowledge is put to use in and laboratory exercises (Urban Environmental Engineering course).

From the development of advanced processing technologies to resolving environmental and sanitation problems in developing countries, applying cutting-edge biotechnology to protect the environment is another urban engineering role.

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By understanding of micro- to nano-scale physical phenomena and life phenomena, the Department of Mechanical Engineering aims to create new biotechnology and medical technology based on mechanical engineering. To that end, the system of mechanical engineering in the field of biotechnology and medicine is studied through lectures and practice exercises on bioengineering, bionic engineering, nerves and the brain, medical engineering biological systems engineering, creative design exercises and the like. Examples of graduation thesis research include innovative diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as exemplified by surgical robots, regenerative medical treatments utilizing patient tissue and blood vessels, functional cell regulation by manipulating cells and DNA molecule, and single-cell and single-molecule analysis technologies. Engaging in cutting edge medical engineering collaboration through research that includes the visualization of biological behavior based on multiscale numerical simulation is yet another possibility.

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The Department of Mechano-Informatics contributes to the field of biotechnology and medicine in terms of human understanding and support and based on advanced mechanical and information technology. The mechanisms of living organisms, particularly efficient brain information processing, are among the many aspects engineers need to study.

This department employs various biological experimental approaches that apply to insects through to humans, and also conducts multi-scale research on brain information processing methods that apply to genes through to behavior. The engineered brain model reconstructed from this biological information is expected to revolutionize next generation robot intelligence.

Robot technology and information technology are also indispensable for developing innovative medical technology. Actually, we develop assistive medical care products including computer-assisted surgery and rehabilitation robots that support the daily life and public participation of the elderly and disabled in order to realize a new welfare environment.

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In the Department of Precision Engineering, “biotechnology, medical, life, and science” are addressed in the physical precise manipulation of cells, minute biological fluids and minute biological tissues, and bionic techniques are studied to “measure”, “understand”, and “control” the activities of various organisms.

Research conducted in this department includes sensor technology to measure various activities of microscopic organisms, the application of robotics and mechatronics to support the field of precise diagnosis and treatment and to control cell culture, the use of various sensor information in disease diagnosis, methods to predict the degree of fatigue and comfort and the like. With such advanced research expertise as a base, students in the Department of Precision Engineering can comprehensively study engineering which observes and controls microscopic phenomena as relates to microorganisms, and recognizes and controls macro phenomena.

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In the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, electronics can be studied to understand “life” and make the most of “life”.

Studying electrical and electronic circuits, information communication, and computers allows for the cultivation of a better understanding of the human body and the brain as an electric system. Classes also cover sensors and control engineering which are the basis of medical examinations and diagnostic equipment. Furthermore, recognizing "DNA" and "photosynthesis" as ultimate micro memory and naturally created solar cells, a departmental strength is providing the basics and specialized subjects in order to understand the functions and operation principles of biosystems from an electronic and physical viewpoint. For graduation theses in each affiliated laboratory, biotechnology and medical research that utilizes advanced electronic and optical technology, as well as sensing and information processing technology research that imitates biological functions, is conducted.

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Pursue ‘universal principles and methodology’! These are the basis of science and technology. This is the goal of the Department of Mathematical Engineering and Information Physics. Researching this ‘universal principles and methodology’ is indivisible from research in individual fields, and in the Department of Mathematical Engineering and Information Physics research in various fields is conducted along with researching the ‘universal principles and methodology’.

Examples of research associated with “biotechnology and medical” include the mathematical modeling of the brain, tailor maid prostate cancer treatments based on the mathematics model, estimates of the evolutionary tree topologies from DNA sequence data, artificial tactile sense systems, biomimetics sensors, brain-computer interfaces, biodivices and the like. In the department curriculum, students acquire ‘universal principles and methodology’ basics in lectures, develop principles and methodologies through research for graduation, and engage in resolving practical issues.

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Biomaterials that protect our lives and health, such as artificial organs that replace the lost function of a body part and artificial viruses carrying medicines only to the affected area without causing side effects are studied in this course. In order to create new biomaterials, in addition to a studying basic knowledge of various material sciences and physical property evaluation methods, we can branch out into biochemistry as exemplified by biointerface engineering and other various realms.

The field of materials engineering, in which all materials used in material civilization are the subject of research, is the foundation of all engineering. Our aim is to foster talented individuals who from a broad interdisciplinary stance have the capacity to contribute to the happiness of human society as a whole. In collaboration with the other two courses in the Department of Materials Engineering, the Materials A Course (Biomaterials) conducts education to cultivate extensive insight and we promote cutting-edge research.

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In the Department of Chemical System Engineering it is possible to analyze and control chemical phenomena with scales ranging from molecular to global in size, and with a focus on the systemization and design of these components, a chemical system engineering methodology can be acquired. In the field of medical treatment many innovative generic technologies such as iPS cells, antibody drugs, cancer vaccines, siRNA, and organ regeneration are being discovered. However, no given technology alone can control the functions of a complex biological system. Research related to the medical system is also conducted, and the chemical system engineering approach to capturing things from various viewpoints and on various scales can play a great role in the biotechnology and medical fields. This department hopes to contribute to society through the above-mentioned efforts as well as by fostering talented individuals.

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The key to biotechnology and medical in the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology is “molecule”. We aim to figure out all the phenomena of life at the molecular level, design a new functional molecule through life sciences based on them, and with the help of chemistry create an entirely new biological system. In order to explain various life phenomena at the molecular level and chemical reaction level, the orthodox education in specialized subjects provided by departmental faculty members includes biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemical exercises, experiments in biotechnology and the like.

When complicated biological systems including gene expression control, intracellular and extracellular information transfer, biosynthesis, metabolism and so on are deciphered at the molecular level, elaborate and higher order life phenomena such as occurrence, differentiation, brain neural circuits, the immune system, diseases and the like can first be explained. Learning from nature, and creating and applying a biological system that transcends nature, are the ultimate goals of this department.

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