Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology 11 articles published in JoVE Bioengineering Cellular Affinity of Particle-Stabilized Emulsion to Boost Antigen Internalization Fengqiang Cao*1,2,3, Yali Ming*3,4, Weixiang Gao3,4, Jia Ge3, Kenji Ogino1,2 1Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 4University of Chinese Academy of Sciences To rationally design efficient adjuvants, we developed poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticle-stabilized Pickering emulsion (PNPE). The PNPE possessed unique softness and a hydrophobic interface for potent cellular contact and offered high-content antigen loading, improving the cellular affinity of the delivery system to antigen-presenting cells and inducing efficient internalization of antigens. Environment Mass-Rearing and Molecular Studies in Tortricidae Pest Insects Hiroshi Arai1, Yuna Ishitsubo1, Madoka Nakai1, Maki N. Inoue1 1Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology The present protocol describes the rearing method of tortricid pest insects in the laboratories. The procedures to distinguish insects' sex and extract nucleic acids for high throughput sequencing are established using two tortricid pests. Medicine Sarcomere Shortening of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes using Fluorescent-Tagged Sarcomere Proteins. Razan E. Ahmed*1, Nawin Chanthra*1, Tatsuya Anzai1,2, Keiichiro Koiwai3,4, Tomoki Murakami4, Hiroaki Suzuki4, Yutaka Hanazono1, Hideki Uosaki1 1Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 2Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, 3Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 4Department of Precision Mechanics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University This method can be used to examine sarcomere shortening using pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes with fluorescent-tagged sarcomere proteins. Environment Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O Megumi Kuroiwa1, Keitaro Fukushima2,3, Kazuma Hashimoto2, Yukiko Senga4, Tsubasa Sato4, Chie Katsuyama5, Yuichi Suwa1 1Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 1Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 2Faculty & Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 3Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, 4Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 5Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University A series of methods to determine the potential DNRA rate based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ analyses is provided in detail. NH4+ is converted into N2O via several steps and analyzed using quadrupole gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Neuroscience Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase Claire A. de March1, Yosuke Fukutani1,2, Aashutosh Vihani1,3, Hitoshi Kida1,4, Hiroaki Matsunami1,3,5,6 1Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 2Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, 4Department of Mechanical Systems, Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 5Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 6Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University Physiologically, odorant receptors are activated by odorant molecules inhaled in the vapor phase. However, most in vitro systems utilize liquid phase odorant stimulation. Here, we present a method that allows real-time in vitro monitoring of odorant receptor activation upon odorant stimulation in vapor phase. Bioengineering Agarose-based Tissue Mimicking Optical Phantoms for Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy Afrina Mustari*1, Izumi Nishidate*1, Md. Abdul Wares1,6, Takaaki Maeda2, Satoko Kawauchi3, Shunichi Sato3, Manabu Sato4, Yoshihisa Aizu5 1Graduate School of Bio-application & Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture & Technology, 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kushiro National College of Technology, 3Division of Bioinformation and Therapeutic Systems, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, 4Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, 5College of Design and Manufacturing Technology, Muroran Institute of Technology, 6Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Government of Bangladesh Here, we demonstrate how agarose-based tissue-mimicking optical phantoms are made and how their optical properties are determined using a conventional optical system with an integrating sphere. Environment Tracking Infiltration Front Depth Using Time-lapse Multi-offset Gathers Collected with Array Antenna Ground Penetrating Radar Hirotaka Saito1, Seiichiro Kuroda2, Toshiki Iwasaki1, Haruyuki Fujimaki3, Nobuhito Nagai4, Jacopo Sala5 1Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2National Institute for Rural Engineering, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, 4GeoFive Co. Ltd, 53D-Radar Here we present a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system based on a ground-coupled, densely populated antenna array for monitoring the dynamic process of subsurface water infiltration. A time-lapse radar image of the infiltration process allowed estimating the depth of the wetting front during the course of the infiltration process. Neuroscience Simultaneous Evaluation of Cerebral Hemodynamics and Light Scattering Properties of the In Vivo Rat Brain Using Multispectral Diffuse Reflectance Imaging Izumi Nishidate1, Afrina Mustari1, Satoko Kawauchi2, Shunichi Sato2, Manabu Sato3 1Graduate School of Bio-application & Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture & Technology, 2Division of Biomedical Information Sciences, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, 3Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University The simultaneous evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics and the light scattering properties of in vivo rat brain tissue is demonstrated using a conventional multispectral diffuse reflectance imaging system. Chemistry Construction of Models for Nondestructive Prediction of Ingredient Contents in Blueberries by Near-infrared Spectroscopy Based on HPLC Measurements Wenming Bai1, Norio Yoshimura1, Masao Takayanagi1, Jingai Che2, Naomi Horiuchi2, Isao Ogiwara3 1United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology We present here a protocol to construct and validate models for nondestructive prediction of total sugar, total organic acid, and total anthocyanin content in individual blueberries by near-infrared spectroscopy. Behavior A Mouse Model of Subchronic and Mild Social Defeat Stress for Understanding Stress-induced Behavioral and Physiological Deficits Tatsuhiko Goto1,2, Atsushi Toyoda1,2,3 1College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, 2Cooperation between Agriculture and Medical Science, Ibaraki University, 3United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Here, methods for developing a mouse model of subchronic and mild social defeat stress are described and used to investigate the pathogenic features of depression including hyperphagia- and polydipsia-like symptoms following increased body weight. Behavior Determining Ultrasonic Vocalization Preferences in Mice using a Two-choice Playback Test Akari Asaba1, Masahiro Kato3, Nobuyoshi Koshida2, Takefumi Kikusui1 1School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 2Division of Electric and Information Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3Kato Acoustics Consulting Office Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in mice differ depending on age, sex, condition, and genetic background. Using two ultrasound emitters broadcasting simultaneously in different locations, this two-choice test can evaluate murine recognition and preference responses to different characteristics of USVs.