Laboratory of Intellectual Fundamentals for Environmental Studies (LIFES)

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Laboratory of Intellectual Fundamentals for Environmental Studies (LIFES)

Homepage:http://www.nies.go.jp/labo/index-e.html

This Laboratory consists of two research sections, the Environmental Analytical Chemistry Section and the Biological Resource and Informatics Section. They are responsible for organizing all of the intellectual fundamentals accumulated since NIES began, and developing the intellectual fundamentals that will be needed in the future. These fundamentals are used not only for effective implementation of research inside NIES and to form research networks, but are also made available to organizations outside the Institute.

Production of Environmental Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) and analytical standards for environmental analysis, and long-term storage of environmental samples (Environmental Specimen Bank)

The laboratory produces and provides a series of CRMs, and analytical standards in response to stringent social demands, for the quality assurance of the analysis of persistent pollutants in the environment. A long-term storage of environmental samples at low temperature for retrospective analysis of pollutants, a so-called "Environmental Specimen Bank," has been being conducted in collaboration with various long-term environmental monitoring programs in and outside of the Institute. Developments of preservation techniques are also important research topics in order to preserve a wider range of high quality environmental information for future needs.

Environmental certified reference materials produced at NIES

Reference Laboratory Function

This facility serves as a reference laboratory in Japan for environmental research, through (1) improving methods to ensure analytical quality control, and cross-checking analytical techniques, and (2) improving classification and identification methods of microalgae and laboratory organisms, and conducting preservation and supply of those organisms to provide the standards for classification, standard strains for AGP tests, and strains with special functions.

A preserved strain of waterbloom forming toxic cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa

Investigation, collection and storage of microbes useful for environmental conservation; development of laboratory organisms; and preservation of cells and genes of endangered wildlife species
(1) At present about 1000 strains environmental microbes are preserved, and we hope to increase the preserved strains considerably in the future. In addition, we are analyzing the genes and useful functions of environmental microbes and putting the information obtained into databases, and developing cryopreservation techniques.

(2) We are conducting fundamental research about laboratory organisms such as genetic analysis, stocking, screening and extracting of useful genes. In addition, we are selecting high quality biological material, and working on efficient rearing, cultivation and supply.

(3) For preservation of endangered wildlife species, we are developing systems for preservation of body cells, reproductive cells and genes, as well as for endangered aquatic plants.

Protection of endangered species of Charophyceae

Development of Information Network for Biological Resources
The Laboratory is promoting governmental and international collaboration relating to information, classification and preservation of biological resources, and promoting the creation of national and international networks for biological resource information.
Besides these intellectual fundamentals, the Laboratory has been working to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of analysis using environmental specimens at NIES, and has been managing and operating common-use equipment that supports the development of new analytical methods.

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