In the morning of Jul 2, 2019, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences held a signing ceremony for Prof. Abe Ikuro (The University of Tokyo). The President Prof. Dr. Li Jinlin, the Deputy Director of Human Resources Zhang Peng, the leaders of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and some teachers and students attended the ceremony. The ceremony was presided by Prof. Dr. Liu Jikai, the Dean of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Before the appointment ceremony began, Prof. Liu Jikai gave a brief introduction of Prof. Abe, including his academic experiences and research. Subsequently, the President Li Jinlin awarded the Special-term Professor Certificate to Prof. Abe, then he gave a speech to extend his warm welcome to Prof. Abe to join the university. He pointed out that the university has distinctive characteristics, good development concepts, and scientific research foundation. He believed that the join-in of Prof. Abe will bring new thinking, inspiration and creativity for the development of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The university will also create a good atmosphere and facility to ensure that Prof. Abe can work comfortably and make a lot of achievements.
Subsequently, Prof. Abe gave a presentation titled "Engineered Biosynthesis of Medicinal Natural Products". At the beginning of the presentation, Prof. Abe raised the example of efficient synthesis of artemisinin by synthetic biology, then he gave a detailed description about the Type-III polyketide synthases and their role in plant polyphenolic compound biosynthesis. Moreover, Prof. Abe also introduced his recent research on the biosynthesis pathways, the involving key enzymes and their functions of fungal meroterpenes. He presented several examples, such as the new cyclase/isomerase Trt 14 in the biosynthesis of terretonin, the non-heme Fe(II)/a-ketoglutarate dioxygenases AndA and PrhA in the biosynthesis of anditomin, and the specific isomerase NvfE in the biosynthesis of novofumigatomin.
After the presentation, many staffs and students discussed with Prof. Ab about his research.
More information of Prof. Abe:http://www.f.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~tennen/professor-e.html
