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Started joint research with Nihon University


Ebara Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Ebara") has begun joint research with Professor Koichiro Kano of the College of Bioresource Sciences at Nihon University, developer of dedifferentiated fat cells (hereinafter referred to as "DFAT"), with the aim of producing cultured meat.

1. Background

In recent years, cellular agriculture, a new food production method that uses cell culture technology, has been attracting attention from around the world. As the population continues to grow in the future, there are concerns about food issues such as protein shortages, but it is said that it will be difficult to solve these problems through traditional livestock farming and agriculture alone. In addition, expanding production brings with it environmental issues such as increased greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of fishery resources, as well as issues in terms of animal welfare.

2-1 Overview

Professor Kano developed a novel pluripotent cell, DFAT, which can spontaneously dedifferentiate mature adipocytes and transdifferentiate into various types of cells. DFAT can be mass-produced stably from adipose tissue discarded during meat processing, and is capable of differentiating into muscle cells and fat cells, making it expected to be used as a stable cell source for various applications in cellular agriculture, including cultured meat.

Ebara will design and develop mass-production equipment for DFAT using the fluid control technology and equipment design know-how it has cultivated, accelerating the realization of the cellular agriculture business.

3. Future developments

Through the development of DFAT mass production equipment and mass culture equipment, we aim to streamline cell production technology and promote the widespread use of cellular agriculture in society. Going forward, we will continue to contribute to "creating an ever-evolving, prosperous lifestyle," as stated in our long-term vision, "E-Vision 2030."


The EBARA Group will address key ESG issues based on its long-term vision and medium-term management plan, aiming to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and further increase its corporate value.

*1 DFAT is a type of cell generated by inducing spontaneous dedifferentiation in cultured terminally differentiated mature adipocytes. It has high proliferation ability and is a pluripotent cell that can transdifferentiate into bone, cartilage, blood vessels, muscle and nerve cells. Professor Koichiro Kano of Nihon University developed DFAT, and its use in the medical field is being considered, with Nihon University playing a central role in promoting research and development aimed at the clinical application of cell therapy. *2 Professor Koichiro Kano of Nihon University Graduated from the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (now the College of Bioresource Sciences) of Nihon University. Completed doctoral program at the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kobe University, Ph.D. (Agriculture). In 1994, he became an assistant in the Department of Applied Zoology at the Faculty of Agriculture, Kobe University, and in 2000 he became a lecturer at the College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University. He has been in his current position since 2013.