Kazuhiko Yamada

Title: Kazuhiko Yamada: Innovator in Decarbamylase Technology

Introduction

Kazuhiko Yamada is a notable inventor based in Akashi, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of biochemistry, particularly in the development of decarbamylases for producing D-.alpha.-amino acids. With a total of 3 patents to his name, Yamada's work has implications for various applications in biotechnology.

Latest Patents

One of Yamada's latest patents involves recombinant decarbamylases that are capable of producing D-.alpha.-amino acids through the hydrolysis of N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acids. This innovative approach utilizes recombinant microorganisms produced by gene manipulation methods. The decarbamylases developed by Yamada exhibit improved thermostability, achieved by replacing amino acids at a thermostability-related site of a natural decarbamylase through DNA mutation. The recombinant DNA is derived from a vector DNA and a DNA fragment encoding a natural decarbamylase, allowing for the production of transformants that yield thermostable decarbamylases. These decarbamylases can be immobilized in various forms, including purified, partially-purified, or crude, and can be repeatedly used over 30 times when combined with antioxidants like dithiothreitol. Another significant patent details a process for preparing ethyl-alpha-amino-gamma-oxo-gamma-phenybutyrate, which involves a reaction between ethyl-.beta.-benzoyacrylate and alkali metal salts of specific amino acids to form a Michael addition product.

Career Highlights

Kazuhiko Yamada is currently associated with Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, where he continues to advance his research and development efforts. His work has garnered attention in the scientific community for its innovative approaches to enzyme technology.

Collaborations

Yamada collaborates with esteemed colleagues, including Satomi Takahashi and Yukio Yamada, contributing to a dynamic research environment that fosters innovation.

Conclusion

Kazuhiko Yamada's contributions to the field of biochemistry, particularly through his patents on decarbamylases, highlight his role as a leading inventor in the industry. His work not only advances scientific knowledge but also has practical applications in biotechnology.