From Editor’s Desk
Greetings and a warm welcome to the third issue of ISAJ Newsletter in 2024!
In this issue, we present you with two research articles, an event report and a photo gallery on the just concluded 15th Annual Symposium. The Research Spotlight is on discovery of novel inhibitors for Sphingomyelin synthase to control fatty liver disease from plant foods. The Research Highlight is on advancing magnetic storage device technology, where Dr. Rath writes about BiFeO₃-based thin films doped with lanthanides, to his newly started post-doc work on Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR).
ISAJ just held its 15th Annual Symposium on October 29, 2024, at Embassy of India auditorium in Tokyo. ISAJ has reached a milestone with this symposium. In a first, the Hokkaido Chapter is about to organize ISAJ Hokkaido2024 symposium on December 13, 2024, in the Hokkaido University Sapporo campus.
Our member Ms. Upasana Jhariya of Tohoku University reports winning first prize from Falling Walls in Sendai. Falling Walls Foundation is a global organization that hosts interdisciplinary pitch competitions for early-career professionals.
Research Spotlight: Discovery of Novel Inhibitors for Sphingomyelin Synthase to Control Fatty Liver Disease from Plant Foods
By Dr. Madhuvanahalli Sundaraswamy Punith, Graduate School of Global Food Resources, Hokkaido University
The Global Obesity Epidemic
Obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation that poses significant risks to health, has become one of the most critical public health challenges of the 21st century. Defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, it is a multifaceted condition driven by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
According to WHO, more than 1 billion people worldwide were obese as of 2022:
- 650 million adults
- 340 million adolescents
- 39 million children
While obesity rates remain highest in high-income countries, rapid urbanization and economic development in middle- and low-income nations have led to an alarming surge, especially in urban regions.
Sphingomyelin Synthases as Therapeutic Targets
The increasing prevalence of obesity is accompanied by a rise in associated metabolic disorders, such as fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular complications. These health concerns highlight the urgent need for innovative therapeutic interventions.
One promising avenue lies in targeting sphingomyelin synthases (SMS1 and SMS2), enzymes that play a central role in lipid metabolism. These enzymes catalyze the transfer of a phosphorylcholine group to ceramide, forming sphingomyelin. Overexpression of SMS enzymes has been implicated in obesity and lipid-related disorders, making them attractive targets for therapeutic development.
Natural Products from Marine Sources
Natural products have long served as a foundation for drug discovery. Marine algae, such as Sargassum fusiforme (commonly known as hijiki), have drawn attention as a rich source of bioactive compounds, including:
- Fatty acids
- Polysaccharides
- Compounds with diverse pharmacological properties
Investigating hijiki and other marine resources for potential SMS inhibitors could pave the way for novel, natural therapies to combat obesity and its related metabolic disorders.
Research Workflow
In-vitro Phase:
- Screening natural compounds for SMS1 and SMS2 inhibitory effects
- SMS inhibition assays (developed by research group)
- Measuring IC50 values, inhibition rates, enzyme specificity
- Cytotoxicity assays to ensure safety
In-silico Validation:
- Molecular docking studies
- Molecular dynamics simulations
- Prediction of compound-enzyme interactions
- Analysis of binding affinities and complex stability
This integrated approach ensures robustness of the discovery process and provides comprehensive understanding of interactions between SMS enzymes and natural inhibitors.
Research Highlight: Advancing Magnetic Storage Device Technology for a Sustainable Future
By Dr. Soumyaranjan Ratha, NIMS, Tsukuba
The Energy Challenge in Magnetic Storage
The demand for energy-efficient, high-performance magnetic storage devices is soaring amid rapid technological advancement. As Society 5.0 and the IoT-driven future take shape, the need for eco-friendly IT equipment is critical. Magnetic devices, essential for information recording, displays, and sensing, are major power consumers.
Magnetic storage devices rely on:
- Magnetization reversal
- Spin injection
- Tunnel magnetoresistance
All require current flow, and increased integration drives higher power consumption, demanding new approaches.
Doctoral Research on BiFeO₃-Based Thin Films
In my doctoral research, I focused on ferromagnetic and ferroelectric materials, particularly BiFeO₃-based thin films, to enable low-power, high-performance magnetic devices like:
- Racetrack memory
- Magnetic sensors
- Magnetic optical devices
By incorporating lanthanide elements (La, Nd, Eu), I successfully synthesized thin films with enhanced properties:
- High saturation magnetization (Ms)
- Large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (Ku)
- Significant magnetic Kerr rotation angles (θk)
Micro-Element Processing Durability
Using reactive ion etching, I identified processing conditions that minimized damage:
- Suppressed oxygen vacancy formation
- Employed mixed gas of CHF₃ and oxygen
- Maintained film integrity during device fabrication
Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR)
Currently as a postdoctoral researcher, I am working on HDD/HAMR Media. Current perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) technology is nearing physical limits. HAMR offers a solution:
How HAMR Works:
- Laser heats small disk area before writing
- Temporarily reduces magnetic material coercivity
- Enables smaller magnetic grains without thermal instability
- Potentially achieves 50TB on single drive
Dual-Layer HAMR Innovation:
- Two magnetic recording layers per disk
- Doubles storage capacity
- Independent magnetization control
- Laser precisely targets layers without interference
Sustainability Impact
Dual-layer HAMR makes data storage more sustainable by:
- Reducing physical space requirements
- Lowering energy consumption in data centers
- Minimizing raw materials needed
- Addressing electronic waste issues
Event Report: 15th ISAJ Annual Symposium 2024
The 15th ISAJ Annual Symposium on “Transformative Technologies for a Sustainable Future” was organized on October 29, 2024 at Embassy of India auditorium in Tokyo. This event marked the 15th anniversary of ISAJ and coincided with Ayurveda Day celebrations.
Conveners
- Dr. Sahiba Bano (NIMS)
- Dr. Deeksha Arya (University of Tokyo)
- Dr. Aaditya Manjanath (NIMS)
Program Overview
Scientific Sessions:
- 5 Plenary Talks
- 14 Invited Talks
- 30+ Poster Presentations
Geographic Representation:
Participants from all major regions of Japan:
- Kantō (Tokyo, Tsukuba, Yokosuka, Kawasaki, Isehara)
- Chūbu (Shizuoka, Iwata, Niigata)
- Kansai (Kyoto)
- Kyūshū (Kitakyūshū)
- Tōhoku (Akita, Sendai)
- Hokkaidō (Sapporo)
Opening Ceremony
His Excellency Mr. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, delivered an encouraging talk emphasizing cooperation between India and Japan in science and technology.
Research Topics Covered
Plenary Talks:
- Thermoelectric materials for waste heat power generation
- Sustainable urban digital twin with computational management
- Coastal conservation and sustainable development
- Multiscale simulation for structural materials
- Data-driven materials research
Diverse Research Areas:
- Materials science
- Renewable energy
- Medicine and nutrition
- Seismology
- Environmental science
- Quantum photonics
- Music generation
- Data science
- Food science
Best Poster Awards
Four awards presented (certificate and ¥25,000 shopping coupons each):
- Dr. Anjaneyulu Dirisala
- Mr. Punith M. Sundaraswamy
- Dr. Poonam Rani
- Ms. Samriddhi P. Mishra
Awards presented by Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly Ms. Surama Padhy in presence of H.E. Ambassador Mr. Sibi George during Ayurveda Day celebrations.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to:
- Dr. Yashawant Dev Panwar (Counsellor, S&T)
- Ms. Kiyō Endō (Embassy support)
- Sai Hira India Foundation (Donor)
- The Indian Commerce and Industry Association Japan (Main Sponsor)
- Forecast Ocean Plus, Inc. and Ambika Japan (Sponsors)
Special Announcement: ISAJ Hokkaido 2024
In a historic first, the Hokkaido Chapter is organizing ISAJ Hokkaido2024 symposium on December 13, 2024, at Hokkaido University Sapporo campus. This marks the beginning of regional chapter activities, expanding ISAJ’s reach across Japan.
Member Achievement: Falling Walls Competition
Ms. Upasana Jhariya from Tohoku University won first prize at the prestigious Falling Walls pitch competition in Sendai. Falling Walls Foundation is a global organization that hosts interdisciplinary pitch competitions for early-career professionals, making this a significant achievement for ISAJ’s young researcher community.
