SUCCESS
Reached the funding target!
多くのみなさまのご支援のおかげで無事に目標を達成でき、ネクストゴールにも到達することができました！！本当に本当にありがとうございました！！！
これからリターンの準備とキットの開発に取り組んでまいります。必ずやキットを完成させ、みんなでサクラの木の下に集まってサクラの開花予想を楽しみたいと思っています。引き続き応援をよろしくお願いいたします！！！
Profile
Kenta Shirasawa
What is your research vision?
We propose a new way to enjoy cherry blossoms: by predicting their blooming date with a gene testing kit. Our research shows that the expression levels of just three genes in cherry buds can accurately forecast when the cherry blossoms will bloom. Currently, cherry blossom forecasts are based on regional temperature changes, but our method offers a more personalized approach.
How do you like to gather under a cherry tree and test how these genes work with your own hands, and predict the cherry blossom blooming date for yourself? Enjoying the anticipation of the blooming stage can add a new dimension to the traditional Japanese practice of hanami, which used to be just about admiring the beauty of the flowers.
How do you realize your vision?
In 2019, we decoded the genome of 'Somei-Yoshino' and identified around 95,000 genes (Ref. 1).
To select genes for cherry blossom forecast, we collected buds from 'Somei-Yoshino' trees in Chiba, Kyoto, and Shimane over a month before flowering in 2017 and 2019. We analyzed the gene expression levels and found that the flowering date could be predicted by just three genes. In 2020 and 2021, we used PCR analysis to examine gene expression levels in the buds and confirmed that our method could predict the flowering date from three weeks to one day before it occurred (Ref. 2).
What is the research theme of this crowdfunding project?
We want to develop a gene testing kit that will enable anyone to enjoy cherry blossom forecast under the trees. Currently, PCR analysis is used to test gene expressions, but it requires special techniques and equipment and is time-consuming. Our goal is to develop a kit that is easy to use and can quickly analyze genes. By extracting genes from cherry buds and dripping them into
the kit, you can see how three specific genes are working and predict the flowering date.
Once the kit is developed, anyone can gather under a cherry tree, test genes, and predict when the cherry blossoms will bloom. This will be a fun way to learnabout genes and enjoy the anticipation of the blooming cherry blossoms. The Kazusa DNA Research Institute plans to hold a flowering prediction event using this kit as well.
Request for Research Funding Support
We at the Kazusa DNA Research Institute are using the cherry blossom forecast as a way to promote genome science. Our work not only benefits academia and industry, but also helps solve familiar scientific mysteries. The funds will be used to purchase reagents, chemicals and labware, promote our work, and develop the testing kit with Fasmac Co., Ltd. We hope that, through this project, more people will become familiar with terms like “genome”, “PCR”, and “testing kits” and find them interesting. Thank you for your support.
About donation receipt
Donation receipts will only be sent within Japan.
Please note that we cannot send receipts for donations made outside of Japan.
Recommender's comment
Prof. Tomoya Esumi
The blooming of sakura trees is a natural phenomenon that is deeply connected to Japanese people's life and culture. How do the flower buds of cherry trees grow and blossom after awakening from dormancy? We are trying to unravel the phenomenon of cherry blossoming at the genetic level, and furthermore, to make it easy for anyone to analyze a part of the phenomenon in the form of a test kit. I am looking forward to the genetic test kit for predicting the flowering of cherry trees that Dr. Shirasawa, a professional in genome and gene analysis, will create. Let us all support this challenge.
Prof. Akihiro Itai
Cherry blossoms are the symbolic flowers of Japan, whose blooming is eagerly awaited by everyone to celebrate graduation and entrance into school, and to remind us of the arrival of spring in earnest. Although the blooming of cherry blossoms brings us joy every year, there are still many unknowns about the mechanism of the blooming. Dr. Shirasawa has decoded the genome of Somei-Yoshino, a representative variety of cherry trees, and has made great achievements in elucidating the molecular mechanism of the flowering process. We hope that many people will learn about Dr. Shirasawa's challenge and support him.
Project timeline
| Date | Plans |
|---|---|
| 2023 March | Start the challenge. |
| 2023 December | Establish a prototype of the kit. |
| 2024 March | Hold a flowering prediction event with the kit. |
| 2024 December | Complete. |
Pledge Rewards
We will send you a thank-you message via email.
Thank You Message / Donation receipt
7 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
We will list your names in the research report.
Listing of supporter names in the research report / Thank You Message / Donation receipt
16 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
You can participate in an online meeting where we report on our progress.
Invitation to an online progress report meeting / Thank You Message / Listing of supporter names in the research report / Donation receipt
39 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
You can join an online tour of the Kazusa DNA Research Institute.
Invitation to an online tour of the Kazusa DNA Research Institute / Thank You Message / Listing of supporter names in the research report / Invitation to an online progress report meeting / Donation receipt
1 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
We will list your names in the acknowledgements section of the paper.
Listing of supporter names in the paper / Thank You Message / Listing of supporter names in the research report / Invitation to an online tour of the Kazusa DNA Research Institute / Invitation to an online progress report meeting / Donation receipt
8 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
We can have a one-on-one online meeting to discuss the research.
Invitation to an individual online discussion / Thank You Message / Listing of supporter names in the research report / Invitation to an online progress report meeting / Listing of supporter names in the paper / Invitation to an online tour of the Kazusa DNA Research Institute / Donation receipt
3 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
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Listing of supporter names in the research report and others
16
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Invitation to an online progress report meeting and others
39
supporters
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Invitation to an online tour of the Kazusa DNA Research Institute and others
1
supporters
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Listing of supporter names in the paper and others
8
supporters
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Invitation to an individual online discussion and others
3
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academist Prize 4th adopted
