UNIST biomedical engineering researchers are fostering global collaborative research with world-class research institutes.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has recently selected two faculty members at UNIST for the project aimed at developing a global joint research center on advanced biotechnology. Professor Jayil Lee from the Department of Biological Sciences and Professor Yoon-Kyoung Cho from the Department of Biological Engineering will each receive funding of 2 billion won over three years to conduct joint research on promising biotechnological innovations in collaboration with leading research institutes in Europe and Asia.
Professor Lee’s team is collaborating with the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) and AIMBLE, a developer of AI-driven new drug candidate materials. The team is focused on developing synthetic lethal anticancer technologies. Synthetic lethality refers to a phenomenon in which cell death does not occur due to mutation of a single gene but instead results from the simultaneous mutation of two or more genes. The joint research team aims to identify gene pairs that contribute to synthetic lethality by integrating findings from existing gene mutations in cancer cells using CRISPR gene editing techniques, ultimately developing targeted therapies to inhibit these genes.
Meanwhile, Professor Cho’s team is focused on creating a multiscale complex system designed to provide optimized treatment solutions tailored to specific muscle injuries. This comprehensive study encompasses multiscale high-precision imaging, functional vascular regeneration, local drug delivery systems, and the development of smart electrode patches. The team’s ultimate goal is to pioneer customized regenerative treatment technologies based on artificial muscle. Collaboration with the University of Tokyo and the National University of Singapore is expected to enhance their international research capabilities.
This project aims to foster research and development cooperation agreements among countries in advanced biotechnology and establish a foundation for sustainable collaboration with leading overseas research institutions. On October 24, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the selection of a total of 15 research centers and committed 24.5 billion won to the initiative, which will run from this year through 2026.
