Development of enzyme chips for amino-acid metabolomics for the diagnosis and prevention of diseases

Project Leader	Yasuhisa ASANO Professor , Department of Biotechnology, Toyama Prefectural University
U R L	http://www.pu-toyama.ac.jp/BR/asano/
Participating Research Organizations   Toyama Prefectural University, Toyama University, Ishikawa Prefectural University, INTEC Systems Institute, Inc., Kokando Co.,ltd., Ajinomoto Co.,Inc., Suntory Limited, Sumika Chemical Analysis Service. Ltd., Richell Corp.

We are engaged in the creation of practical devices through the immobilization of phenylalanine dehydrogenase and the establishment of a simple amino acid quantification method by loading new amino acid metabolic enzymes onto chips to enable the measurement of the concentration of each amino acid. The data of a quantified amino acid is compared with data obtained from the existing method of amino acid analysis, and applied to the management of disease. Meanwhile, through the clarification of working mechanisms and the metabolism patterns of food ingredients, we are engaged in research into functional food development according to individual genotype and life style. Single amino acid concentrations in blood have been utilized as markers in the diagnosis of disease. Diagnosis utilizing enzymes is simple and inexpensive. Meanwhile, the detection of amino acid disorders in blood is predicted to become important for the daily health care of the general population; therefore, there is a need to develop a simple device for home use. We are engaged in the creation of devices capable of quantifying phenylalanine and methionine in neonatal blood and verifying the usefulness of such devices.
On the other hand, amino acid indexes, figures obtained by considering amino acid concentrations from a wide range of properties through multivariate analysis of individual amino acid concentrations in blood, contribute to the identification of disease markers, and research into the association of the amino acid index and disease has been successfully developed.
The identification of disease based on an amino acid index requires a simple method of measuring amino acid concentrations in blood for more types of amino acids. We are engaged in the development of a method of quantification for a number of amino acid enzymes for integration into a simple device for the diagnosis of disease.
Meanwhile, we are also engaged in developing a system of evaluation for the efficient development of safe and efficacious functional food. We are also engaged in the establishment of a system that enables the clarification of the mechanism of food ingredients and a system for metabolic prediction to develop the concept of tailor-made food appropriate for each individual. Through the introduction of new technology, these two systems will be established. Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has obtained amino acid data from a wide range of patients suffering from disease and is carrying out a clinical trial that indicates the effectiveness of amino acid data in the early detection of disease and the monitoring of the clinical conditions of patients. Their study has revealed positive evidence that amino acid data is effective in the identification of some diseases. We are planning to proceed with clinical studies in fields that are predicted to grow into the most important and largest markets in individualized healthcare, such as control of metabolic syndrome.
We believe that enzyme chips for amino acid analysis can be commercialized as an alternative to existing amino acid analyzers. We will also promote the development and commercialization of functional food in cooperation with Suntory Limited and Kokando Co., Ltd.