{"id":648,"date":"2025-07-07T10:05:23","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T10:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/?page_id=648"},"modified":"2025-10-17T16:34:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T07:34:24","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/en\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group DRDC-section is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group DRDC-article-inner-container is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/00-02-\u8fb2\u5834\u3001\u5916\u89b3\uff08\u591a\u6570\uff09\u30c9\u30ed\u30fc\u30f3_Moment.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-425\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.8823529411764706;object-fit:cover;width:368px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/00-02-\u8fb2\u5834\u3001\u5916\u89b3\uff08\u591a\u6570\uff09\u30c9\u30ed\u30fc\u30f3_Moment.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/00-02-\u8fb2\u5834\u3001\u5916\u89b3\uff08\u591a\u6570\uff09\u30c9\u30ed\u30fc\u30f3_Moment-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/00-02-\u8fb2\u5834\u3001\u5916\u89b3\uff08\u591a\u6570\uff09\u30c9\u30ed\u30fc\u30f3_Moment-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/00-02-\u8fb2\u5834\u3001\u5916\u89b3\uff08\u591a\u6570\uff09\u30c9\u30ed\u30fc\u30f3_Moment-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group DRDC-article-text-container is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Dairy Ecosystem\u3000Research &amp; Development Center<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Leveraging the unique characteristics of the Seto Inland Sea climate\u2014mild winters and scorching summers\u2014we are becoming a leading hub for technological development aimed at overcoming the global shortage of animal protein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our foundation is built upon the reorganized and integrated facilities of our University Farm, Precision Experimental Crop Fields, and Food Processing Training Factory. Here, we conduct research in key areas like livestock and poultry genome editing (for breeding superior varieties), reproductive technology development (to increase production), and advanced feeding management techniques (to boost productivity).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To further accelerate our progress, we are actively collaborating with on-campus researchers from the fields of science and engineering (including information science and sensing technology) as well as social sciences. This collaboration allows us to drive end-to-end research, from fundamental studies to practical societal implementation and even large-scale social transformation, spanning from the lab to the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through these initiatives, we aim to contribute to improving Japan&#8217;s self-sufficiency in animal protein on a calorie basis and promoting the export of domestic agricultural products, thereby enhancing the nation&#8217;s food security. By integrating our top-tier research capabilities with AI, we will also pioneer innovative animal protein production technologies and create labor-saving solutions through future forecasting. Ultimately, we are committed to helping solve the future challenge of a global supply limit for animal protein.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"outputs\" class=\"wp-block-group DRDC-section has-palette-color-9-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group DRDC-research-news has-palette-color-7-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">    <ul class=\"research-post-list tab-panel\">\n                                <li>\n                <time datetime=\"2026-03-04T17:25:07+09:00\">2026.03.04<\/time>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/en\/category\/research-en\/\"\n                   class=\"tab-panel-category cat-research-en\">\n                    Research                <\/a>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/en\/2026204-2\/\">Professor Toshihisa Sugino&#8217;s research was featured on NHK ONE<\/a>\n                            <\/li>\n                                <li>\n                <time datetime=\"2026-01-20T11:32:48+09:00\">2026.01.20<\/time>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/en\/category\/research-en\/\"\n                   class=\"tab-panel-category cat-research-en\">\n                    Research                <\/a>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/en\/260120-2en\/\">Press Release: Approximately 260 million yen in funding has been secured for research on semen preservation methods for dairy cattle artificial insemination developed at Hiroshima University (video available)<\/a>\n                            <\/li>\n                                <li>\n                <time datetime=\"2025-10-30T16:30:57+09:00\">2025.10.30<\/time>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/en\/category\/research-en\/\"\n                   class=\"tab-panel-category cat-research-en\">\n                    Research                <\/a>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/en\/press251030_en\/\">Press release: Study demonstrates that spore-forming lactic acid bacteria, probiotics, reduce diarrhea and improve growth performance<\/a>\n                            <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n    \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"DRDC-read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/en\/category\/research-en\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"136\">View All<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"message\" class=\"wp-block-group DRDC-section is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Message from the Director<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group DRDC-article-inner-container rev is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group DRDC-article-text-container is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>The Dairy Ecosystem Research and Development Center (DRDC) in Hiroshima University aims to advance cutting-edge research in dairy and livestock sciences, and to build sustainable production systems for real-world application.<br><br>With global challenges such as food security and climate change intensifying, our center focuses on innovative animal protein production, labor-saving technologies, and environmental impact reduction. As part of the university\u2019s \u201cPresident\u2019s Five Initiatives for Peace Sciences,\u201d we are also committed to improving nutrition and livestock systems in developing countries. Developing technologies for stable dairy supply in hot climates is especially crucial for supporting health and economic growth in low-income regions.<br><br>Our strength lies in integrating expertise across disciplines\u2014including AI, big data, genome editing, resource recycling, and cellular agriculture\u2014to create a seamless path from basic research to practical implementation.<br><br>Key focus areas include:<br><br>Automation to address labor shortages<br><br>Smart dairy systems using digital twin technologies<br><br>Advanced environmental solutions for waste and emissions<br><br>Developing alternative feeds and novel protein sources<br><br>Hiroshima\u2019s climate and advanced robotic farm facilities provide ideal conditions for building models applicable to Southeast Asia and Africa. We are already conducting large-scale research projects and will continue to strengthen collaborations with industry, government, and international partners.<br><br>Through our research and educational efforts, we aim to contribute to sustainable livestock development and global well-being. We appreciate your continued support.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-right is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c0d519fa wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"779\" height=\"1045\" src=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/\u6749\u91ce\u5199\u771f.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-819\" style=\"width:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/\u6749\u91ce\u5199\u771f.jpg 779w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/\u6749\u91ce\u5199\u771f-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/\u6749\u91ce\u5199\u771f-763x1024.jpg 763w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/\u6749\u91ce\u5199\u771f-768x1030.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 779px) 100vw, 779px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Professor Toshihisa Sugino<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group DRDC-section has-palette-color-9-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research &amp; Facilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Coming Soon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"organization\" class=\"wp-block-group DRDC-section is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Organization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2366\" height=\"1583\" src=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\u4f53\u5236\u30fb\u7d44\u7e54\u56f3_\u30bb\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc_\u4fee\u6b63.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1245\" style=\"width:511px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\u4f53\u5236\u30fb\u7d44\u7e54\u56f3_\u30bb\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc_\u4fee\u6b63.png 2366w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\u4f53\u5236\u30fb\u7d44\u7e54\u56f3_\u30bb\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc_\u4fee\u6b63-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\u4f53\u5236\u30fb\u7d44\u7e54\u56f3_\u30bb\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc_\u4fee\u6b63-1024x685.png 1024w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\u4f53\u5236\u30fb\u7d44\u7e54\u56f3_\u30bb\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc_\u4fee\u6b63-768x514.png 768w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\u4f53\u5236\u30fb\u7d44\u7e54\u56f3_\u30bb\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc_\u4fee\u6b63-1536x1028.png 1536w, https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\u4f53\u5236\u30fb\u7d44\u7e54\u56f3_\u30bb\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc_\u4fee\u6b63-2048x1370.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2366px) 100vw, 2366px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button DRDC-btn-grad-outline\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-palette-color-1-color has-palette-color-7-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/en\/research\/faculty\/\">Faculty &amp; Staff<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction About the Dairy Ecosystem\u3000Research &amp; Development Center Leveraging the unique characteristics of the Seto Inland Sea climate\u2014mild winters and scorching summers\u2014we are becoming a leading hub for technological development aimed at overcoming the global shortage of animal protein. Our foundation is built upon the reorganized and integrated facilities of our University Farm, Precision Experimental [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/?page_id=136","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-648","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","en-US"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=648"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1246,"href":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648\/revisions\/1246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/drdc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}