Morus is pleased to announce that it has concluded a joint research agreement with the National Institute of Technology, Okinawa College (hereinafter “Okinawa KOSEN”) and has begun research with Professor Masaaki Ito of the college’s Department of Bioresources Engineering. Together with Professor Ito, who has studied silkworms, mulberry, and silk for many years, Morus will advance research on MorSilk®, a silkworm-derived material, at its research base in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture.
In December 2025, a paper jointly published by Morus and the University of Illinois (USA) confirmed that plant-based zinc contained in mulberry leaves is converted into a more readily absorbable form inside the silkworm, raising its absorption rate to approximately twice that of mulberry leaves.*1 For this reason, Morus is committed not only to the silkworms themselves but also to the quality and nutritional value of the mulberry leaves they are fed.
In October 2026, Morus established its first research base “Morus Okinawa Bio Research Lab (tentative name),” at the Okinawa Health Biotechnology Research and Development Center (OHBIC) in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture. By welcoming Mr. Yukihiro Maru, Representative Director and Group CEO of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. as technical advisor, Morus is advancing its research in collaboration with local companies and research institutions.
Together with Professor Ito, an expert in both silkworms and mulberry, Morus will deepen its exploration of the nutritional value of “Shimaguwa,” a mulberry species native to Okinawa, and further accelerate research into its functional properties as well as its manufacturing and processing.
“Transforming local bioresources into value through the power of science—this aligns with the philosophy of Okinawa KOSEN, which aims to nurture engineers who contribute to the development of society. By combining the research on Shimaguwa and silkworms that I have pursued for many years with the expertise of Morus, I hope to explore the possibilities of new materials.”
“We are delighted to have begun joint research with Professor Ito of Okinawa KOSEN, who has devoted many years to research on cell-free protein synthesis using silkworms and on Shimaguwa, and to bringing that research to market. We will continue to grow our research-driven business, leveraging the power of Japanese science to solve health challenges around the world.”
Going forward, at its research lab in Okinawa as a base, Morus will collaborate with local companies and research institutions to deepen its exploration of functional properties and develop the resulting insights into high-value-added businesses.
Professor, Department of Bioresources Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Okinawa College. Completed the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Kyoto Institute of Technology; Ph.D. Specializes in protein engineering and enzyme chemistry. Member of the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry; the Protein Science Society of Japan; the Japanese Biochemical Society; the Japanese Society of Sericultural Science; and the Japanese Society of Silk Science and Technology.
