Updated on 2026/07/25

写真a

 
Omori Masafumi
 
Organization
Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology Assistant Professor
Position
Assistant Professor
External link

Research Interests

  • Regeneration

  • genome editing

  • Blueberry

  • Fruit and fruit tree science

Research History

  • Okayama University   学術研究院 環境生命自然科学学域   Assistant Professor

    2026.4

      More details

  • University of Florida   IFAS

    2025.1 - 2026.1

      More details

  • Kyoto University   Graduate School of Agriculture   Assistant Professor

    2024.4 - 2026.3

      More details

  • Kyoto University

    2021.4 - 2024.3

      More details

 

Papers

  • Regeneration, genetic transformation, and gene editing in Vaccinium species: current Progress and future directions Reviewed

    Anandi Karn, Felix Enciso-Rodriguez, Yaiphabi Kumam, Masafumi Omori, Kevin Begcy, Patricio Munoz

    Horticulture Research   2026.6

     More details

    Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:Oxford University Press (OUP)  

    Abstract

    Vaccinium is one of the most economically significant genera in the Ericaceae family, with breeding efforts substantially improving yield, fruit quality, and adaptation, contributing to the widespread consumption of this berry-bearing clade. Crops within this genus are valued for their high nutritional content, including antioxidants, dietary fiber, and vitamins, as well as their culinary versatility. Health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory activity, combined with advances in breeding and cultivation that enhance flavor and yield, have further boosted consumer demand. However, the application of traditional breeding methods in Vaccinium remains challenging, mostly due to their long juvenile period, polyploidy, and the complex genomes of both cultivated and wild plants. To overcome these constraints, new breeding techniques (NBTs), such as gene editing, offer tremendous potential for developing improved varieties with traits that are difficult to achieve through traditional methods. Over the past thirty years, significant advancements in Vaccinium biotechnology have been made, particularly in the field of transgenesis. These advancements, including the ability to introduce foreign genes and edit genomes, hold great promise for overcoming the challenges posed by traditional breeding techniques. Despite these developments, the implementation of NBTs in Vaccinium remains at an earlier stage compared with other horticultural crops, primarily due to: (i) recalcitrancy to stable genetic transformation and (ii) low editing efficiencies. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of advancements in regeneration and genetic transformation in Vaccinium species, along with a perspective on the major constraints and future strategies to improve Vaccinium through biotechnological methods.

    DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhag217

    researchmap

  • FPX, a chemical callus inducer, promotes in vitro shoot regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation in three fruit tree species Reviewed

    Feng Dai, Masafumi Omori, Ryutaro Tao

    Plant Biotechnology   2026.3

     More details

    Authorship:Corresponding author   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:Japanese Society for Plant Cell and Molecular Biology  

    DOI: 10.5511/plantbiotechnology.25.1228a

    researchmap

  • Diversity of direct regeneration rate in highbush blueberry cultivars Reviewed

    M. Omori, H. Yamane, R. Tao

    Acta Horticulturae   ( 1440 )   65 - 70   2025.11

     More details

    Authorship:Lead author   Publishing type:Research paper (international conference proceedings)   Publisher:International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)  

    DOI: 10.17660/actahortic.2025.1440.9

    researchmap

  • CRISPR-Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of the flowering repressor gene VcCENTRORADIALIS (VcCEN) induces early flowering in tetraploid highbush blueberry Reviewed

    Masafumi Omori, Hisayo Yamane, Keishi Osakabe, Yuriko Osakabe, Ryutaro Tao

    Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC)   162 ( 2 )   2025.8

     More details

    Authorship:Lead author   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

    DOI: 10.1007/s11240-025-03131-1

    researchmap

    Other Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11240-025-03131-1/fulltext.html

  • Identification and expression analyses of the CENTRORADIALIS (CEN) gene family involved in flowering regulation in persimmon (Diospyros kaki) Reviewed

    C. Iwami, M. Omori, T.-F. Hsiang, S.S. Sugano, T. Akagi, R. Tao

    Acta Horticulturae   ( 1404 )   639 - 644   2024.9

     More details

    Publishing type:Research paper (international conference proceedings)   Publisher:International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)  

    DOI: 10.17660/actahortic.2024.1404.87

    researchmap

  • Comparative transcriptome and functional analyses provide insights into the key factors regulating shoot regeneration in highbush blueberry Reviewed

    Masafumi Omori, Hisayo Yamane, Ryutaro Tao

    Horticulture Research   2024.4

     More details

    Authorship:Lead author   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:Oxford University Press (OUP)  

    Abstract

    Establishing an efficient plant regeneration system is a crucial prerequisite for the genetic engineering technology in plants. However, the regeneration rate exhibits considerable variability among genotypes, and the key factors underlying shoot regeneration capacity remain largely elusive. Blueberry leaf explants cultured on a medium rich in cytokinins exhibit direct shoot organogenesis without prominent callus formation, which holds promise for expediting genetic transformation while minimizing somatic mutations during culture. The objective of this study is to unravel the molecular and genetic determinants that govern cultivar-specific shoot regeneration potential in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). We conducted comparative transcriptome analysis using two highbush blueberry genotypes, ‘Blue Muffin’ (‘BM’) displaying a high regeneration rate (>80%) and ‘O’Neal’ (‘ON’) exhibiting a low regeneration rate (<10%). The findings revealed differential expression of numerous auxin-related genes, notably, ‘BM’ exhibited higher expression of auxin signaling genes compared to ‘ON’. Among blueberry orthologues of transcription factors involved in meristem formation in Arabidopsis, expressions of VcENHANCER OF SHOOT REGENERATION (VcESR), VcWUSCHEL (VcWUS), and VcCUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 2.1 (VcCUC2.1) were significantly higher in ‘BM’ relative to ‘ON’. Exogenous application of auxin promoted regeneration, as well as VcESR and VcWUS expressions, whereas the inhibition of auxin biosynthesis yielded the opposite effects. Overexpression of VcESR in ‘BM’ promoted shoot regeneration under phytohormone-free conditions by activating the expression of cytokinin- and auxin-related genes. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying blueberry regeneration and have practical implications for enhancing plant regeneration and transformation techniques.

    DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae114

    researchmap

  • The evaluation of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated editing efficiency using endogenous promoters in tetraploid blueberry Reviewed

    M. Omori, H. Yamane, K. Osakabe, Y. Osakabe, R. Tao

    Acta Horticulturae   ( 1362 )   49 - 56   2023

     More details

    Authorship:Lead author   Publishing type:Research paper (international conference proceedings)   Publisher:International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)  

    DOI: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1362.8

    researchmap

  • Efficient Transient Expression for Functional Analysis in Fruit Using the Tsukuba System Vector Reviewed

    Masafumi Omori, Yosuke Fujiwara, Hisayo Yamane, Kenji Miura, Ryutaro Tao

    The Horticulture Journal   92 ( 3 )   261 - 268   2023

     More details

    Authorship:Lead author   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:Japanese Society for Horticultural Science  

    DOI: 10.2503/hortj.qh-062

    researchmap

  • Off-season flowering and expression of flowering-related genes during floral bud differentiation of rabbiteye blueberry in a subtropical climate Reviewed

    Masafumi Omori, Chieh-Chi Cheng, Fu-Chiun Hsu, Shiang-Jiuun Chen, Hisayo Yamane, Ryutaro Tao, Kuo-Tan Li

    Scientia Horticulturae   306   111458 - 111458   2022.12

     More details

    Authorship:Lead author   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:Elsevier BV  

    DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111458

    researchmap

  • Targeted mutagenesis of CENTRORADIALIS using CRISPR/Cas9 system through the improvement of genetic transformation efficiency of tetraploid highbush blueberry Reviewed

    M. Omori, H. Yamane, K. Osakabe, Y. Osakabe, R. Tao

    The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology   96 ( 2 )   153 - 161   2021

     More details

    Authorship:Lead author   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:Informa UK Limited  

    DOI: 10.1080/14620316.2020.1822760

    researchmap

  • Expressional analysis of FT and CEN genes in a continuously flowering highbush blueberry ‘Blue Muffin’ Reviewed

    M. Omori, H. Yamane, K.-T. Li, R. Matsuzaki, S. Ebihara, T.-S. Li, R. Tao

    Acta Horticulturae   ( 1280 )   197 - 202   2020.6

     More details

    Authorship:Lead author   Publishing type:Research paper (international conference proceedings)   Publisher:International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)  

    DOI: 10.17660/actahortic.2020.1280.27

    researchmap

▼display all

Books

  • ゲノム編集によるブルーベリー早期開花系統の作出

    大森真史, 山根久代

    アグリバイオ2024年11月号  2024.10 

     More details

  • ブルーベリーの形質転換およびゲノム編集 「ひとりではじめる植物バイオテクノロジー入門 : 組織培養からゲノム編集まで」

    大森真史, 山根久代( Role: Contributor)

    国際文献社  2022.3  ( ISBN:9784910603032

     More details

    Total pages:i, 408p   Language:Japanese

    CiNii Books

    researchmap

Awards

  • 優秀発表賞

    2023.3   園芸学会   ゲノム編集によるブルーベリー早期開花系統の作出

     More details

  • Presentation award

    2020.6   Artificial pollination and parthenocarpic fruit set in autumn-bloom rabbiteye blueberry

     More details

Research Projects

  • ゲノム編集を活用したブルーベリー野生種の育種利用

    Grant number:25K18234  2025.04 - 2028.03

    日本学術振興会  科学研究費助成事業  若手研究

    大森 真史

      More details

    Grant amount:\4680000 ( Direct expense: \3600000 、 Indirect expense:\1080000 )

    researchmap

  • 重複遺伝子の進化の理解に基づく特化代謝デザイン

    2025.01 - 2026.01

    日本学術振興会  海外特別研究員 

      More details

    Authorship:Principal investigator 

    researchmap

  • Development of a novel screening method selecting cultivars suitable for genetic transformation and elucidation of genetic mechanism of genetic transformation

    Grant number:24K23130  2024.07 - 2026.03

    Japan Society for the Promotion of Science  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research  Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up

    大森 真史

      More details

    Grant amount:\2730000 ( Direct expense: \2100000 、 Indirect expense:\630000 )

    researchmap

  • Development of high quality blueberry through metabolic engineering utilizing genome editing

    2022.01 - 2027.03

    グランドグリーン株式会社  Get-Research Grant 

      More details

  • 果実成熟におけるエピジェネティック制御システムの解明と検証

    Grant number:22KJ1715  2021.04 - 2024.03

    日本学術振興会  科学研究費助成事業  特別研究員奨励費

    大森 真史

      More details

    Authorship:Principal investigator 

    Grant amount:\2200000 ( Direct expense: \2200000 )

    ブルーベリーは房内で不均一に成熟が進むため成熟果実を手摘みする必要があり、生産効率を低下させる要因となっている。果実成熟を人為的に制御できれば、収穫作業の効率化につながる。先行研究によりブルーベリー果実成熟時に発生するグローバルなDNA脱メチル化とそれに伴う成熟促進が確認されているが、その詳細なメカニズムは不明である。本研究は着色を制御する遺伝子について、プロモーター領域におけるDNAメチル化レベルの変化とそれに伴うトランスポゾンの挙動に着目する。
    第一の実験として、ロングリードシーケンスによる上述の着色遺伝子近傍の配列解読を目指した。果実サンプルからのDNA抽出が困難であったため、葉サンプルを追加しさらにDNA抽出およびシーケンスを外注とした。 今後はメチローム・トランスクリプトームデータと合わせて解析を行い、果実成熟とDNAメチル化との関係を考察する。
    第二の実験としては証明実験に用いる遺伝子機能評価系の確立を行った。果実という特殊な環境における遺伝子の機能を調査するため、様々な果実における一過性発現系を確立した。 着色に関係する遺伝子を過剰発現させたところ、アントシアニンの蓄積によると考えられる着色が観察された。さらにブルーベリーにおいて花成抑制遺伝子CENTRORADIALISオーソログのノックアウト系統を獲得した。 本系統は早期開花性を示し、迅速な機能解析を可能とする。また、連続開花性も示したことから、上記果実一過性発現実験を年中行うことができる非常に有用な材料を得ることができた。

    researchmap

  • An attempt to evaluate the applicability of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing system for fruit tree breeding by utilizing precocious flowering strains

    Grant number:15K14650  2015.04 - 2019.03

    Japan Society for the Promotion of Science  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research  Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research

    Yamane Hisayo, MIMURA SHOTARO, MATSUZAKI RYUSUKE, OMORI MASAFUMI, LI TAISHAN

      More details

    Grant amount:\3900000 ( Direct expense: \3000000 、 Indirect expense:\900000 )

    Genetic transformation and genome editing would have possibility to accelerate breeding process for many fruit crops. CRISPR/Cas9 is a genome editing system, which enables us to modify the site-specific genomic region. The objective of this study is to assess the applicability of CRISPR/Cas9 system in fruit trees by using easy-flowering genotypes of two fruit tree species. In this study, we first developed the method to promote early-flowering in citrus and characterized genetic system of easy-flowering in blueberry. Then, we successfully induced mutation in easy-flowering blueberry genotype by using CRISPR/Cas9 through the modification of efficient transformation and regeneration system. Although no phenotype changes have been observed so far in these mutants, future molecular characterization on these mutants will be effectively used to evaluate the genome editing performance in fruit tree species.

    researchmap

▼display all