▲ Kim Yu-chun, Professor of KAIST BMND (Biomedical Micro-Nano Delivery Laboratory)

The BMND opened its door in 2012 with a goal to effectively deliver various drugs and vaccines to the interior of the body. It is consisted of 1 research professor, 1 postdoctoral researcher, 8 doctoral students and 6 masters. The BMND has fostered 7 doctors and 15 masters so far and published about 50 international SCI papers; 8 on Journal of Controlled Release (IF:7.8), and <Microneedles for Drug and Vaccine Delivery> on Advanced Drug Delivery Reviewers (IF:11.8) in 2012. It is noteworthy that <Enhanced Photodynamic Cancer Treatment by Mitochondria-Targeting and Brominated Near-Infrared Fluorophores> published on Advanced Science (IF:9) appeared as the cover paper while the ‘research on cancer cell suppression through iron transfer’ won the bronze prize at Samsung HumanTech Paper Award. The researches of the BMND mainly focus on development of the drug transporters that can maximize anticancer effect. The research on intradermal delivery of vaccines by using microneedles, in particular, has been chosen for the Bio Medical Technology Development Project and secured a fund covering from 2014 to 2019. “This research is being carried on in cooperation with the Yonsei University Department of Biotechnology and the Konkuk University Veterinary Medicine Department. We are also carrying on a research on delivering vaccines through mouth in cooperation with the Biomolecular Engineering Department of National University of Transportation at the moment” said Professor Kim Yu-chun of the BMND. Kim continued “We are recently focusing on breaking the mechanisms of cancer cell itself to overcome this deadly disease. Microneedle is a micro scale medical tool from which we exert to develop nano scale nano particle. Its applicability should be proved through animal tests and we are determined to bring substantial results.” He added “Bringing substantial results is very important as research itself cannot cure the diseases. It is our role and duty as researchers to make this happen for the benefit of the people on earth and we will make the most of our microneedle vaccine delivery technique to bring innovative cures to the humanity.” 

<Power Korea> ‘rewrites’ Korean article in ‘plain English’ with ‘key points’ 
Jon Kim powerkorea_j@naver.com