research
A research team led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho of the Department of Biology and Brain Engineering, KAIST, and Dr. Gi-Sun Kwon of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology succeeded in proving the mechanism behind the determination of cell life in relation to reactive oxygen species.
The results of the venture were published in the June 3rd edition of Science Signaling. The title of the research paper is “MLK3 is part of a feedback mechanism that regulates different cellular responses to reactive oxygen species.”
The research team discovered that the molecular switch that determines the division of apoptosis of a cell was based on MLK3 feedback mechanism. MLK stands for mixed-lineage kinase.
Under sufficient stress, the mechanism instructs the cell to undergo the division but in an overly stressful environment, the mechanism stops the cell division and instead, induces apoptosis. This discovery is expected to be a breakthrough in illnesses related to the concentration of the reactive oxygen species (ROS).
At low concentration of ROS, the protein associated with cell division, ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase), is activated while as the ROS concentration increases, JNK (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases), responsible for apoptosis, becomes activated. Furthermore, through computer simulation analysis and mathematical modeling, in tandem with molecular cell biology experiments, the MLK3 based feedback mechanism was the fundamental molecular switch that determines the balance between ERK and JNK, and ultimately the cell’s responses.
Professor Cho commented that “the contradicting cell responses to ROS had remained a mystery, but with the system biology, an approach in which information technology and biotechnology converge, such riddles can be resolved. We expect that the proven mechanism will be used to overcome aging or cancer growth as a result of ROS in the near future.”
Picture shows the process of identifying cell responses caused by reactive oxygen species.
-
research A Way for Smartwatches to Detect Depression Risks Devised by KAIST and U of Michigan Researchers
- A international joint research team of KAIST and the University of Michigan developed a digital biomarker for predicting symptoms of depression based on data collected by smartwatches - It has the potential to be used as a medical technology to replace the economically burdensome fMRI measurement test - It is expected to expand the scope of digital health data analysis The CORONA virus pandemic also brought about a pandemic of mental illness. Approximately one billion people worldwide suf
2025-01-20 -
research KAIST Develops CamBio - a New Biotemplating Method
- Professor Jae-Byum Chang and Professor Yeon Sik Jung’s joint research team of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering developed a highly tunable bio-templating method “CamBio” that makes use of intracellular protein structures - Substrate performance improvement of up to 230% demonstrated via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) - Expected to have price competitiveness over bio-templating method as it expands the range of biological samples - Expected to
2025-01-10 -
event “Cross-Generation Collaborative Labs” for Semiconductor, Chemistry, and Computer Science Opened
< Photo of Professor Hoi-Jun Yoo (center) of the School of Electrical Engineering at the signboard unveiling ceremony > KAIST held a ceremony to mark the opening of three additional ‘Cross-Generation Collaborative Labs’ on the morning of January 7th, 2025. The “Next-Generation AI Semiconductor System Lab” by Professor Hoi-Jun Yoo of the School of Electrical Engineering, the “Molecular Spectroscopy and Chemical Dynamics Lab” by Professor Sang Kyu
2025-01-07 -
research KAIST Scientifically Identifies a Method to Prevent Dental Erosion from Carbonated Drinks
A Korean research team, which had previously visualized and scientifically proven the harmful effects of carbonated drinks like cola on dental health using nanotechnology, has now identified a mechanism for an effective method to prevent tooth damage caused by these beverages. KAIST (represented by President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 5th of December that a team led by Professor Seungbum Hong from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, in collaboration with Seoul National U
2024-12-11 -
research KAIST Develops Technology for the Precise Diagnosis of Electric Vehicle Batteries Using Small Currents
Accurately diagnosing the state of electric vehicle (EV) batteries is essential for their efficient management and safe use. KAIST researchers have developed a new technology that can diagnose and monitor the state of batteries with high precision using only small amounts of current, which is expected to maximize the batteries’ long-term stability and efficiency. KAIST (represented by President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 17th of October that a research team led by Professors Kyeong
2024-10-17