Community Impact in Action

Drug discovery research realizes the development of therapeutics for ocular diseases which lead to blindness
In recent years, it has become evident that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) plays an important role in retinal degenerative diseases that cause blindness. In this study, six species of fish which contained extracts with HIF inhibitory effects were selected from among Shizuoka Prefecture fish species collected at the Shizuoka Prefectural Fisheries and Marine Technology Research Institute, wherein their active substances underwent fractionation, purification and structural elucidation at the Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University. In addition, in-vitro screening was conducted at the Keio University School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology, Laboratory of Photobiology. The active ingredients obtained were administered to animal disease models and their efficacy was confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Fujinokuni Medical Castle Town Promotion Organization (Pharma Valley Center) in Shizuoka Prefecture owns the Shizuoka Chemical Compound Library, which holds 120,000 compounds. The Laboratory of Photobiology received compounds from the library and is also exploring bioactive small molecules via the above-mentioned in-vitro screening.
The Laboratory of Aging and Retinal Biology is also receiving compounds from the library to develop new treatments for age-related macular degeneration.

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Based at AOI-PARC in Shizuoka Prefecture, we are advancing research and development in the agriculture-related field by utilizing ICT and cutting-edge technologies. This includes exploring breeding methods and efficient production techniques for safe, low-cost, and high-performance agricultural products using next-generation cultivation systems. Additionally, we are promoting scientific validation to establish evidence regarding the functionality of agricultural product-derived ingredients for the development of functional foods aimed at health and longevity.
In FY2023, we made progress in the social implementation of the smartphone app TPOCast, which precisely records agricultural work, and achieved results such as its adoption in classes at Shizuoka Prefectural Iwata Agricultural High School. Furthermore, as part of our exploration of breeding methods for stress-resistant varieties, we initiated efforts to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with resistance to chip burn. In addition, we explored the development of an SDGs certification system to promote the use of data platforms by agricultural producers and restaurants in Shizuoka Prefecture. This involved conducting consumer surveys, interviews with current certification holders, and researching leading examples from local governments, in order to identify challenges and strategies for future expansion. At the AOI Project Research Results Presentation Meeting for FY2023 (March 14, 2024), the following two reports were presented at the venue:

Atsushi Shinjo: Utilizing Untapped Resources for Sustainable Agriculture (Panel Discussion)
Hiroyuki Nobutomo: SDGs Certification System in Fuji-no-Kuni
https://aoi-forum.jp/info/11212/
https://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/sangyoshigoto/nogyo/nogyoshinkou/1003292/1057516/1061461.html

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With AOI-PARC, which opened in 2017, as a base, and with the aim of promoting business development of related industries centered on agriculture through the industrial fields of "agriculture, food, health" and "agriculture, commerce, industry," as well as the widespread involvement of industrial, academic, and governmental funds, workshops were held to train human resources who will be responsible for advanced agriculture by utilizing the resources of AOI-PARC to popularize advanced environmental control technology, analysis technology for measured big data, etc., within research and production sites across the prefecture.

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In recent years, it has become evident that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) plays an important role in retinal degenerative diseases that cause blindness. We selected six species of fish which contain extracts with HIF inhibitory effects from among Shizuoka Prefecture fish species collected at the Shizuoka Prefectural Fisheries and Marine Technology Research Institute, and continued the fractionation, purification and structural elucidation of the active substances at the Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University. In addition, in vitro screening was conducted at the Keio University School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology, Laboratory of Photobiology. The active ingredients obtained were administered to animal disease models and their efficacy was confirmed.

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A system equipped with a current velocity sensor developed for remote monitoring on the seas was installed in a fish pen at Uchiura Bay, Numazu City in Shizuoka Prefecture, with the aim of monitoring the occurrence of hypoxia and elucidating the mechanism of fish mortality in fish farms. The sensor is shaped to resemble a pitot tube and uses a differential pressure sensor to measure the difference between the pressure generated by the underwater current and the pressure generated by water depth, and calculates the velocity of the current. Measurements are being taken at multiple points from the surface to near the seafloor.

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