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Approaches to Human-Robot Interaction Using Biosignals
<(From left) Dr. Hwa-young Jeong, Professor Kyung-seo Park, Dr. Yoon-tae Jeong, Dr. Ji-hoon Seo, Professor Min-kyu Je, Professor Jung Kim >
A joint research team led by Professor Jung Kim of KAIST Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor Min-kyu Je of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering recently published a review paper on the latest trends and advancements in intuitive Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) using bio-potential and bio-impedance in the internationally renowned academic journal 'Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering'.
This review paper is the result of a collaborative effort by Dr. Kyung-seo Park (DGIST, co-first author), Dr. Hwa-young Jeong (EPFL, co-first author), Dr. Yoon-tae Jeong (IMEC), and Dr. Ji-hoon Seo (UCSD), all doctoral graduates from the two laboratories. Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering is a review specialized journal in the field of electrical, electronic, and artificial intelligence technology, newly launched by Nature Publishing Group last year. It is known to invite world-renowned scholars in the field through strict selection criteria. Professor Jung Kim's research team's paper, titled "Using bio-potential and bio-impedance for intuitive human-robot interaction," was published on July 18, 2025. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44287-025-00191-5)
This review paper explains how biosignals can be used to quickly and accurately detect movement intentions and introduces advancements in movement prediction technology based on neural signals and muscle activity. It also focuses on the crucial role of integrated circuits (ICs) in maximizing low-noise performance and energy efficiency in biosignal sensing, covering thelatest development trends in low-noise, low-power designs for accurately measuring bio-potential and impedance signals.
The review emphasizes the importance of hybrid and multi-modal sensing approaches, presenting the possibility of building robust, intuitive, and scalable HRI systems. The research team stressed that collaboration between sensor and IC design fields is essential for the practical application of biosignal-based HRI systems and stated that interdisciplinary collaboration will play a significant role in the development of next-generation HRI technology. Dr. Hwa-young Jeong, a co-first author of the paper, presented the potential of bio-potential and impedance signals to make human-robot interaction more intuitive and efficient, predicting that it will make significant contributions to the development of HRI technologies such as rehabilitation robots and robotic prostheses using biosignals in the future. This research was supported by several research projects, including the Human Plus Project of the National Research Foundation of Korea.
2025.07.24 View 521 -
KAIST School of Transdisciplinary Studies Is Driving Innovation in Korean Education
<(From Left) Professor Jaeseung Jeong, haed of the School of Transdiciplinary Studies, Dr, Albert Chau, Vice President of Hong Kong Baptist University>
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 24th of July that its School of Transdisciplinary Studies has been consistently showcasing the results of its experiments and practices for educational innovation both domestically and abroad.
On June 27, Professor Jaeseung Jeong, head of the School of Transdisciplinary Studies, was invited to speak at the “Pacific Asia Summit on Transdisciplinary Education 2025 (PASTE 2025)” held at Hong Kong Baptist University. He presented the Korean model of transdisciplinary education under the title “The Philosophy and Achievements of the KAIST School of Transdisciplinary Studies.”
In his talk, Professor Jeong pointed out the limitations of conventional education systems that rely on answer-centered evaluation, perfectionism, and competitiveness, claiming that they hinder creativity and integrative thinking. He then introduced the philosophy and operational practices of the School of Transdisciplinary Studies, which was established in 2019 to overcome these issues.
Professor Jeong outlined five key principles that define the school's educational philosophy: ①a broad and integrative academic foundation, ②student-driven and customized education, ③creativity and execution, ④a sense of social responsibility and global citizenship, and ⑤learning driven by intrinsic motivation and curiosity. He explained that students are admitted without a declared major, allowed to design their own learning plans, and evaluated under a P/NR system* that focuses on growth rather than competition.
*P/NR system: A non-competitive grading system led by KAIST’s School of Transdisciplinary Studies. Instead of traditional letter grades (A/B/C/Fail), students receive Pass (P) or No Record (NR), with the latter not appearing as a failure and not affecting GPA.
Professor Jeong emphasized, “This experiment at KAIST represents a new educational paradigm that values questions over knowledge, culture over structure, and inquiry over competition. Students are bridging academic learning and real-world practice by addressing societal challenges through technology, which could lead to a fundamental shift in global higher education.”
His presentation provided an opportunity to spotlight how KAIST’s experimental approach to nurturing transdisciplinary talent is pointing to new directions for the global education community beyond Korea.
< Hyungjoon Jang, a student at the School of Transdisciplinary Studies>
The achievements of KAIST’s transdisciplinary education model are also reflected in students’ academic accomplishments. Hyungjoon Jang, a student at the School of Transdisciplinary Studies, participated in a collaborative study led by his mentor, Professor Jaekyung Kim in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, along with researchers from Chungnam National University and the Institute for Basic Science (IBS). Their groundbreaking analytical method enables the accurate estimation of inhibition constants using only a single inhibitor concentration. The paper was published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications in June, with Jang listed as co–first author.
Jang played a leading role throughout the research process by developing the experimental methodology, creating a software package to support the method, drafting the manuscript, and engaging in peer review. He also effectively communicated mathematical and statistical models to pharmaceutical experts by mastering presentation techniques and visual explanation strategies, thereby setting a strong example of interdisciplinary collaboration.
He emphasized that “the School of Transdisciplinary Studies’ mentor system allowed regular research feedback and the systematic acquisition of essential knowledge and analytical skills through courses in biochemistry and computational neuroscience.”
This example demonstrates how undergraduate students at the School of Transdisciplinary Studies can take leading roles in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.
The school’s educational philosophy is also reflected in students’ practical actions. Inseo Jeong, a current student and founder of the startup MPAge Inc., made a meaningful donation to help establish a creative makerspace in the school.
<Inseo Jeong, founder of MPAG>
Inseo Jeong explained that the decision was made to express gratitude for the knowledge gained and the mentorship received from professors, saying that at the School of Transdisciplinary Studies, she learned not only how to solve problems with technology but also how to view society, and that learning has helped her grow. She added, “The deep understanding of humanity and the world emphasized by Professor Jaeseung Jeong will be a great asset not only to entrepreneurs but to all students pursuing diverse paths,” expressing support for her fellow students.
Inseo Jeong collaborated for over two years with Professor Hyunwook Ka of the School of Transdisciplinary Studies on software research for individuals with hearing impairments. After numerous algorithm designs and experimental iterations, their work, which considered the social scalability of technology, was presented at the world-renowned CSUN Assistive Technology Conference held at California State University, Northridge. The project has filed for a patent under KAIST’s name.
※ Presentation title: Evidence-Based Adaptive Transcription for Sign Language Users
KAIST is now working to complete the makerspace on the third floor of the Administrative Annex (N2) in Room 314 with a size of approximately 33 m2 during the summer. The makerspace is expected to serve as a hands-on, integrative learning environment where various ideas can be realized and implemented, playing a key role in fostering students’ creative problem-solving and integrative thinking skills.
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee stated, “The School of Transdisciplinary Studies is both an experimental ground and a practical field for overcoming the limitations of traditional education and nurturing global talents with creative problem-solving skills and integrative thinking, which are essential for the future.” He added, “KAIST will continue to lead efforts to cultivate question-asking, inquiry-driven, transdisciplinary talents and propose new paradigms for education and research.”
2025.07.24 View 378 -
KAIST Team Develops Optogenetic Platform for Spatiotemporal Control of Protein and mRNA Storage and Release
<Dr. Chaeyeon Lee, Professor Won Do Heo from Department of Biological Sciences>
A KAIST research team led by Professor Won Do Heo (Department of Biological Sciences) has developed an optogenetic platform, RELISR (REversible LIght-induced Store and Release), that enables precise spatiotemporal control over the storage and release of proteins and mRNAs in living cells and animals.
Traditional optogenetic condensate systems have been limited by their reliance on non-specific multivalent interactions, which can lead to unintended sequestration or release of endogenous molecules. RELISR overcomes these limitations by employing highly specific protein–protein (nanobody–antigen) and protein–RNA (MCP–MS2) interactions, enabling the selective and reversible compartmentalization of target proteins or mRNAs within engineered, membrane-less condensates.
In the dark, RELISR stably sequesters target molecules within condensates, physically isolating them from the cellular environment. Upon blue light stimulation, the condensates rapidly dissolve, releasing the stored proteins or mRNAs, which immediately regain their cellular functions or translational competency. This allows for reversible and rapid modulation of molecular activities in response to optical cues.
< Figure 1. Overview of the Artificial Condensate System (RELISR). The artificial condensate system, RELISR, includes "Protein-RELISR" for storing proteins and "mRNA-RELISR" for storing mRNA. These artificial condensates can be disassembled by blue light irradiation and reassembled in a dark state>
The research team demonstrated that RELISR enables temporal and spatial regulation of protein activity and mRNA translation in various cell types, including cultured neurons and mouse liver tissue. Comparative studies showed that RELISR provides more robust and reversible control of translation than previous systems based on spatial translocation.
While previous optogenetic systems such as LARIAT (Lee et al., Nature Methods, 2014) and mRNA-LARIAT (Kim et al., Nat. Cell Biol., 2019) enabled the selective sequestration of proteins or mRNAs into membrane-less condensates in response to light, they were primarily limited to the trapping phase. The RELISR platform introduced in this study establishes a new paradigm by enabling both the targeted storage of proteins and mRNAs and their rapid, light-triggered release. This approach allows researchers to not only confine molecular function on demand, but also to restore activity with precise temporal control.
< Figure 2. Cell shape change using the artificial condensate system (RELISR). A target protein, Vav2, which contributes to cell shape, was stored within the artificial condensate and then released after light irradiation. This release activated the target protein Vav2, causing a change in cell shape. It was confirmed that the storage, release, and activation of various proteins were effectively achieved>
Professor Heo stated, “RELISR is a versatile optogenetic tool that enables the precise control of protein and mRNA function at defined times and locations in living systems. We anticipate this platform will be broadly applicable for studies of cell signaling, neural circuits, and therapeutic development. Furthermore, the combination of RELISR with genome editing or tissue-targeted delivery could further expand its utility for molecular medicine.”
< Figure 3. Expression of a target mRNA using the artificial condensate system (RELISR) in mice. The genetic material for the artificial condensate system, RELISR, was injected into a living mouse. Using this system, a target mRNA was stored within the mouse's liver. Upon light irradiation, the mRNA was released, which induced the translation of a luminescent protein>
This research was conducted by first author Dr. Chaeyeon Lee, under the supervision of Professor Heo, with contributions from Dr. Daseuli Yu (co-corresponding author) and Professor YongKeun Park (co-corresponding author, Department of Physics), whose group performed quantitative imaging analyses of biophysical changes induced by RELISR in cells.
The findings were published in Nature Communications (July 7, 2025; DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61322-y). This work was supported by the Samsung Future Technology Foundation and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
2025.07.23 View 346 -
KAIST Designs a New Atomic Catalyst for Air Pollution Reduction
<(From Left)Professor Jong Hun Kim from Inha University, Dr. Gyuho Han and Professor Jeong Young Park from KAIST>
Platinum diselenide (PtSe2) is a two-dimensional multilayer material in which each layer is composed of platinum (Pt) and selenium (Se). It is known that its excellent crystallinity and precise control of interlayer interactions allow modulation of various physical and chemical properties. Due to these characteristics, it has been actively researched in multiple fields, including semiconductors, photodetectors, and electrochemical devices. Now, a research team has proposed a new design concept in which atomically dispersed platinum on the surface of platinum diselenide can function as a catalyst for gas reactions. Through this, they have proven its potential as a next-generation gas-phase catalyst technology for high-efficiency carbon dioxide conversion and carbon monoxide reduction.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on July 22 that a joint research team led by Endowed Chair Professor Jeong Young Park from the Department of Chemistry, along with Professor Hyun You Kim's team from Chungnam National University and Professor Yeonwoong (Eric) Jung's team from the University of Central Florida (UCF), has achieved excellent carbon monoxide oxidation performance by utilizing platinum atoms exposed on the surface of platinum diselenide, a type of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD).
To maximize catalytic performance, the research team designed the catalyst by dispersing platinum atoms uniformly across the surface, departing from the conventional use of bulk platinum. This strategy allows more efficient catalytic reactions using a smaller amount of platinum. It also enhances electronic interactions between platinum and selenium by tuning the surface electronic structure. As a result, the platinum diselenide film with a thickness of a few nanometers showed superior carbon monoxide oxidation performance across the entire temperature range compared to a conventional platinum thin film under identical conditions.
In particular, carbon monoxide and oxygen were evenly adsorbed on the surface in similar proportions, increasing the likelihood that they would encounter each other and react, which significantly enhanced the catalytic activity. This improvement is primarily attributed to the increased exposure of surface platinum atoms resulting from selenium vacancies (Se-vacancies), which provide adsorption sites for gas molecules.
The research team confirmed in real-time that these platinum atoms served as active adsorption sites during the actual reaction process, using ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) conducted at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory. This high-precision analysis was enabled by advanced instrumentation capable of observing surfaces at the nanometer scale under ambient pressure conditions. At the same time, computer simulations based on density functional theory (DFT) demonstrated that platinum diselenide exhibits distinct electronic behavior compared to conventional platinum.
*Density Functional Theory (DFT): A quantum mechanical method for calculating the total energy of a system based on electron density.
Professor Jeong Young Park stated, “This research presents a new design strategy that utilizes platinum diselenide, a two-dimensional layered material distinct from conventional platinum catalysts, to enable catalytic functions optimized for gas-phase reactions.” He added, “The electronic interaction between platinum and selenium created favorable conditions for the balanced adsorption of carbon monoxide and oxygen. By designing the catalyst to exhibit higher reactivity across the entire temperature range than conventional platinum, we improved its practical applicability. This enabled a high-efficiency catalytic reaction mechanism through atomic-level design, a two-dimensional material platform, and precise adsorption control.”
This research was co-authored by Dr. Gyuho Han from the Department of Chemistry at KAIST, Dr. Hyuk Choi from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Chungnam National University, and Professor Jong Hun Kim from Inha University. The study was published on July 3 in the world-renowned journal Nature Communications.
Paper Title: Enhanced catalytic activity on atomically dispersed PtSe2 two-dimensional layers
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61320-0
This research was supported by the Mid-Career Researcher Program of the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Core Research Institute Program of the Ministry of Education, the National Strategic Technology Materials Development Project, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Program, research funding from Inha University, and the Postdoctoral Researcher Program (P3) at UCF. Accelerator-based analysis was conducted in cooperation with the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory and the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI).
2025.07.22 View 448 -
KAIST Holds '2025 KAIST Science Frontier Camp' for Multicultural Youth
<2025 KAIST Science Frontier Camp Activities>
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 18th of July that it hosted the '2025 KAIST Science Frontier Camp' for multicultural youth from the 15th for three days and two nights at the Creative Learning Building on its main campus in Daejeon.
This event was organized in accordance with the 'Multicultural Talent Nurturing Agreement' signed by KAIST and GS Caltex in 2024. It marks the first year of a mid-to-long-term project in which 100 million KRW in development funds will be contributed annually for four years. The Global Institute for Talented Education organized the camp, and approximately 30 middle school students from multicultural families affiliated with the 'Hanmaum Educational Volunteer Group' (Director, Honorary Professor Byung Kyu Choi), a mentoring and volunteer organization for multicultural students, participated.
The camp participants enjoyed developing their scientific thinking skills and problem-solving abilities, and broadening their understanding of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) career paths through a variety of science activity programs, including: △'Black Box: Record the Egg's Last Moment!' △'Find the Best Strategy! Heuristic Algorithm Challenge' △'Future Society and AI, Finding Career Directions' △'Distance Dominates the World!' and △'Career Talk Concert.'
During the opening ceremony, Director Byung Kyu Choi delivered a congratulatory speech. Additionally, Yong Hyun Kim, Dean of Admissions at KAIST, gave a special lecture titled 'La La Land KAIST – A Story of Chasing the Dream of a Young Scientist,' sharing honest stories about careers and dreams as a scientist.
Gi Jung Yoo, a freshman from the Division of Undeclared Majors who participated in the camp as a student mentor, shared that he had a very meaningful time mentoring the participating students, who are future STEM hopefuls, sharing vivid experiences as well as insights on metric functions. He added his hope that more students would be given such opportunities.
< Students Actively Taking Part in the Camp Activities>
Si Jong Kwak, Director of the Global Institute for Talented Education, stated, "We hope this will be a practical way to help students foster their interest in science, learn the joy of discussion and communication, and design their future."
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee remarked, "This camp was a valuable opportunity for students from diverse cultural backgrounds to gain confidence through science and envision their future." He added, "KAIST will continue to dedicate efforts to nurturing multicultural talent and contribute to creating a sustainable society."
Since 2024, KAIST has introduced and selected multicultural students through its Equal Opportunity Admission track. Utilizing the development funds from GS Caltex, KAIST also established the 'GS Caltex Multicultural Excellence Scholarship Program.' Through this scholarship program, undergraduate students from multicultural families receive living expenses each semester, allowing them to focus more stably on their studies. As the number of applicants for the Equal Opportunity Admission track is increasing every year, more multicultural students are expected to benefit from scholarships in the future.
Additionally, in May, both organizations invited Ms. Si Si Wu Fong, a foreign employee at GS Caltex, to give a special lecture titled 'Working Life for Foreigners in Korea' to support foreign students' career exploration. Foreign students who attended the lecture reported positive feedback, stating that they gained practical career information and were motivated to pursue employment in STEM fields in Korea.
KAIST plans to continue strengthening its efforts to nurture multicultural talent, increase understanding of the upcoming multicultural society, and help spread social values.
<At the 2025 KAIST Science Frontier Camp>
2025.07.18 View 518 -
KAIST reveals for the first time the mechanism by which alcohol triggers liver inflammation
<(From left)Dr. Keungmo Yang, Professor Won-Il Jeong, Ph.D candidate Kyurae Kim>
Excessive alcohol consumption causes alcoholic liver disease, and about 20% of these cases progress to alcohol-associated steatohepatitis (ASH), which can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver failure. Early diagnosis and treatment are therefore extremely important. A KAIST research team has identified a new molecular mechanism in which alcohol-damaged liver cells increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cell death and inflammatory responses. In addition, they discovered that Kupffer cells, immune cells residing in the liver, act as a “dual-function regulator” that can either promote or suppress inflammation through interactions with liver cells.
KAIST (President Kwang-Hyung Lee) announced on the 17th that a research team led by Professor Won-Il Jeong from the Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Won Kim’s team at Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, has uncovered the molecular pathway of liver damage and inflammation caused by alcohol consumption. This finding offers new clues for the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD).
Professor Won-Il Jeong’s research team found that during chronic alcohol intake, expression of the vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT3 increases, leading to glutamate accumulation in hepatocytes. Subsequent binge drinking causes rapid changes in intracellular calcium levels, which then triggers glutamate* secretion. The secreted glutamate stimulates the glutamate receptor mGluR5 on liver-resident macrophages (Kupffer cells), which induces ROS production and activates a pathological pathway resulting in hepatocyte death and inflammation.
*Glutamate: A type of amino acid involved in intercellular signaling, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism in various tissues including the brain and liver. In excess, it can cause overexcitation and death of nerve cells.
Glutamate accumulation in perivenous hepatocytes through vesicular glutamate transporter 3 after 2-week EtOH intake and its release by binge drinking>
A particularly groundbreaking aspect of this study is that damaged hepatocytes and Kupffer cells can form a "pseudosynapse"—a structure similar to a synapse which is previously thought to occur only in the brain—enabling them to exchange signals. This is the first time such a phenomenon has been identified in the liver.
This pseudosynapse forms when hepatocytes expand (ballooning) due to alcohol, becoming physically attached to Kupffer cells. Simply put, the damaged hepatocytes don’t just die—they send distress signals to nearby immune cells, prompting a response.
This discovery proposes a new paradigm: even in peripheral organs, direct structural contact between cells can allow signal transmission. It also shows that damaged hepatocytes can actively stimulate macrophages and induce regeneration through cell death, revealing the liver’s “autonomous recovery function.”
The team also confirmed in animal models that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of VGLUT3, mGluR5, or the ROS-producing enzyme NOX2 reduces alcohol-induced liver damage. They also confirmed that the same mechanism observed in animal models was present in human patients with ALD by analyzing blood and liver tissue samples.
Professor Won-Il Jeong of KAIST said, “These findings may serve as new molecular targets for early diagnosis and treatment of ASH in the future.”
This study was jointly led by Dr. Keungmo Yang (now at Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital) and Kyurae Kim, a doctoral candidate at KAIST, who served as co–first authors. It was conducted in collaboration with Professor Won Kim’s team at Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center and was published in the journal Nature Communications on July 1.
※ Article Title: Binge drinking triggers VGLUT3-mediated glutamate secretion and subsequent hepatic inflammation by activating mGluR5/NOX2 in Kupffer cells ※ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60820-3
This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT through the National Research Foundation of Korea's Global Leader Program, Mid-Career Researcher Program, and the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program.
2025.07.17 View 643 -
A KAIST Team Engineers a Microbial Platform for Efficient Lutein Production
<(From Left) Ph.D. Candidate Hyunmin Eun, Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee, , Dr. Cindy Pricilia Surya Prabowo>
The application of systems metabolic engineering strategies, along with the construction of an electron channeling system, has enabled the first gram-per-liter scale production of lutein from Corynebacterium glutamicum, providing a viable alternative to plant-derived lutein production.
A research group at KAIST has successfully engineered a microbial strain capable of producing lutein at industrially relevant levels. The team, led by Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, developed a novel C. glutamicum strain using systems metabolic engineering strategies to overcome the limitations of previous microbial lutein production efforts. This research is expected to be beneficial for the efficient production of other industrially important natural products used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Lutein is a xanthophyll carotenoid found in egg yolk, fruits, and vegetables, known for its role in protecting our eyes from oxidative stress and reducing the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Currently, commercial lutein is predominantly extracted from marigold flowers; however, this approach has several drawbacks, including long cultivation times, high labor costs, and inefficient extraction yields, making it economically unfeasible for large-scale production. These challenges have driven the demand for alternative production methods.
To address these issues, KAIST researchers, including Ph.D. Candidate Hyunmin Eun, Dr. Cindy Pricilia Surya Prabowo, and Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee, applied systems metabolic engineering strategies to engineer C. glutamicum, a GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) microorganism widely used in industrial fermentation. Unlike Escherichia coli, which was previously explored for microbial lutein production, C. glutamicum lacks endotoxins, making it a safer and more viable option for food and pharmaceutical applications.
The team’s work, entitled “Gram-per-litre scale production of lutein by engineered Corynebacterium,” was published in Nature Synthesis on 04 July , 2025.
This research details the high-level production of lutein using glucose as a renewable carbon source via systems metabolic engineering. The team focused on eliminating metabolic bottlenecks that previously limited microbial lutein synthesis. By employing enzyme scaffold-based electron channeling strategies, the researchers improved metabolic flux towards lutein biosynthesis while minimizing unwanted byproducts.
<Lutein production metabolic pathway engineering>
To enhance productivity, bottleneck enzymes within the metabolic pathway were identified and optimized. It was determined that electron-requiring cytochrome P450 enzymes played a major role in limiting lutein biosynthesis. To overcome this limitation, an electron channeling strategy was implemented, where engineered cytochrome P450 enzymes and their reductase partners were spatially organized on synthetic scaffolds, allowing more efficient electron transfer and significantly increasing lutein production.
The engineered C. glutamicum strain was further optimized in fed-batch fermentation, achieving a record-breaking 1.78 g/L of lutein production within 54 hours, with a content of 19.51 mg/gDCW and a productivity of 32.88 mg/L/h—the highest lutein production performance in any host reported to date. This milestone demonstrates the feasibility of replacing plant-based lutein extraction with microbial fermentation technology.
“We can anticipate that this microbial cell factory-based mass production of lutein will be able to replace the current plant extraction-based process,” said Ph.D. Candidate Hyunmin Eun. He emphasized that the integrated metabolic engineering strategies developed in this study could be broadly applied for the efficient production of other valuable natural products used in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
<Schematic diagram of microbial-based lutein production platform>
“As maintaining good health in an aging society becomes increasingly important, we expect that the technology and strategies developed here will play pivotal roles in producing other medically and nutritionally significant natural products,” added Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee.
This work is supported by the Development of Next-generation Biorefinery Platform Technologies for Leading Bio-based Chemicals Industry project 2022M3J5A1056072 and the Development of Platform Technologies of Microbial Cell Factories for the Next-Generation Biorefineries project 2022M3J5A1056117 from the National Research Foundation supported by the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT.
Source:
Hyunmin Eun (1st), Cindy Pricilia Surya Prabowo (co-1st), and Sang Yup Lee (Corresponding). “Gram-per-litre scale production of lutein by engineered Corynebacterium”. Nature Synthesis (Online published)
For further information:
Sang Yup Lee, Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, KAIST (leesy@kaist.ac.kr, Tel: +82-42-350-3930)
2025.07.14 View 1166 -
KAIST Ushers in Era of Predicting ‘Optimal Alloys’ Using AI, Without High-Temperature Experiments
<Picture1.(From Left) Prof. Seungbum Hong, Ph.D candidate Youngwoo Choi>
Steel alloys used in automobiles and machinery parts are typically manufactured through a melting process at high temperatures. The phenomenon where the components remain unchanged during melting is called “congruent melting.” KAIST researchers have now addressed this process—traditionally only possible through high-temperature experiments—using artificial intelligence (AI). This study draws attention as it proposes a new direction for future alloy development by predicting in advance how well alloy components will mix during melting, a long-standing challenge in the field.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 14th of July that Professor Seungbum Hong’s research team from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, in international collaboration with Professor Chris Wolverton’s group at Northwestern University, has developed a high-accuracy machine learning model that predicts whether alloy components will remain stable during melting. This was achieved using formation energy data derived from Density Functional Theory (DFT)* calculations.
*Density Functional Theory (DFT): A computational quantum mechanical method used to investigate the electronic structure of many-body systems, especially atoms, molecules, and solids, based on electron density.
The research team combined formation energy values obtained via DFT with experimental melting reaction data to train a machine learning model on 4,536 binary compounds.
Among the various machine learning algorithms tested, the XGBoost-based classification model demonstrated the highest accuracy in predicting whether alloys would mix well, achieving a prediction accuracy of approximately 82.5%. The team also applied the Shapley value method* to analyze the key features of the model. One major finding was that sharp changes in the slope of the formation energy curve (referred to as “convex hull sharpness”) were the most significant factor. A steep slope indicates a composition with energetically favorable (i.e., stable) formation.
*Shapley value: An explainability method in AI used to determine how much each feature contributed to a prediction.
The most notable significance of this study is that it predicts alloy melting behavior without performing high-temperature experiments. This is especially useful for materials such as high-entropy alloys or ultra-heat-resistant alloys, which are difficult to handle experimentally. The approach could also be extended to the design of complex multi-component alloy systems in the future.
Furthermore, the physical indicators identified by the AI model showed high consistency with actual experimental results on how well alloys mix and remain stable. This suggests that the model could be broadly applied to the development of various metal materials and the prediction of structural stability.
Professor Seungbum Hong of KAIST stated, “This research demonstrates how data-driven predictive materials development is possible by integrating computational methods, experimental data, and machine learning—departing from the traditional experience-based alloy design.” He added, “In the future, by incorporating state-of-the-art AI techniques such as generative models and reinforcement learning, we could enter an era where completely new alloys are designed automatically.”
<Model performance and feature importance analysis for predicting melting congruency. (a) SHAP summary plot showing the impact of individual features on model predictions. (b) Confusion matrix illustrating the model’s classification performance. (c) Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with an AUC (area under the curve) score of 0.87, indicating a strong classification performance.>
Ph.D. candidate Youngwoo Choi, from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at KAIST, participated as the first author. The study was published in the May issue of APL Machine Learning, a prestigious journal in the field of machine learning published by the American Institute of Physics, and was selected as a “Featured Article.”
※ Paper title: Machine learning-based melting congruency prediction of binary compounds using density functional theory-calculated formation energy ※ DOI: 10.1063/5.0247514
This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
2025.07.14 View 467 -
KAIST Kicks Off the Expansion of its Creative Learning Building, a 50th Anniversary Donation Landmark
KAIST announced on July 10th that it held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 9th for the expansion of its Creative Learning Building. This project, which celebrates the university's 50th anniversary, will become a significant donation-funded landmark and marks the official start of its construction.
<(From left) President Kwang Hyung Lee, Former President Sung-Chul Shin>
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by key donors who graced the occasion, including KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee, former President Sung-Chul Shin, Alumni Association President Yoon-Tae Lee, as well as parents and faculty member.
The Creative Learning Building serves as a primary space where KAIST undergraduate and graduate students attend lectures, functioning as a central hub for a variety of classes and talks. It also houses student support departments, including the Student Affairs Office, establishing itself as a student-centric complex that integrates educational, counseling, and welfare functions.
This expansion is more than just an increase in educational facilities; it's being developed as a "donation landmark" embodying KAIST's identity and future vision. Designed with a focus on creative convergence education, this project aims to create a new educational hub that organically combines education, exchange, and welfare functions
The campaign included over 230 participants, including KAIST alumni Byung-gyu Chang, Chairman of Krafton, former Alumni Association President Ki-chul Cha, Dr. Kun-mo Chung (former Minister of Science and Technology), as well as faculty members, parents, and current students. They collectively raised 6.5 billion KRW in donations. The total cost for this expansion project is 9 billion KRW, encompassing a gross floor area of 3,222.92㎡ across five above-ground floors, with completion targeted for September 2026.
2025.07.10 View 533 -
KAIST Develops Novel Candidiasis Treatment Overcoming Side Effects and Resistance
<(From left) Ph. D Candidate Ju Yeon Chung, Prof.Hyun Jung Chung, Ph.D candidate Seungju Yang, Ph.D candidate Ayoung Park, Dr. Yoon-Kyoung Hong from Asan Medical Center, Prof. Yong Pil Chong, Dr. Eunhee Jeon>
Candida, a type of fungus, which can spread throughout the body via the bloodstream, leading to organ damage and sepsis. Recently, the incidence of candidiasis has surged due to the increase in immunosuppressive therapies, medical implants, and transplantation. Korean researchers have successfully developed a next-generation treatment that, unlike existing antifungals, selectively acts only on Candida, achieving both high therapeutic efficacy and low side effects simultaneously.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 8th that a research team led by Professor Hyun-Jung Chung of the Department of Biological Sciences, in collaboration with Professor Yong Pil Jeong's team at Asan Medical Center, developed a gene-based nanotherapy (FTNx) that simultaneously inhibits two key enzymes in the Candida cell wall.
Current antifungal drugs for Candida have low target selectivity, which can affect human cells. Furthermore, their therapeutic efficacy is gradually decreasing due to the emergence of new resistant strains. Especially for immunocompromised patients, the infection progresses rapidly and has a poor prognosis, making the development of new treatments to overcome the limitations of existing therapies urgent.
The developed treatment can be administered systemically, and by combining gene suppression technology with nanomaterial technology, it effectively overcomes the structural limitations of existing compound-based drugs and successfully achieves selective treatment against only Candida.
The research team created a gold nanoparticle-based complex loaded with short DNA fragments called antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), which simultaneously target two crucial enzymes—β-1,3-glucan synthase (FKS1) and chitin synthase (CHS3)—important for forming the cell wall of the Candida fungus.
By applying a surface coating technology that binds to a specific glycolipid structure (a structure combining sugar and fat) on the Candida cell wall, a targeted delivery device was implemented. This successfully achieved a precise targeting effect, ensuring the complex is not delivered to human cells at all but acts selectively only on Candida.
<Figure 1: Overview of antifungal therapy design and experimental approach>
This complex, after entering Candida cells, cleaves the mRNA produced by the FKS1 and CHS3 genes, thereby inhibiting translation and simultaneously blocking the synthesis of cell wall components β-1,3-glucan and chitin. As a result, the
Candida cell wall loses its structural stability and collapses, suppressing bacterial survival and proliferation.
In fact, experiments using a systemic candidiasis model in mice confirmed the therapeutic effect: a significant reduction in
Candida count in the organs, normalization of immune responses, and a notable increase in survival rates were observed in the treated group.
Professor Hyun-Jung Chung, who led the research, stated, "This study presents a method to overcome the issues of human toxicity and drug resistance spread with existing treatments, marking an important turning point by demonstrating the applicability of gene therapy for systemic infections". She added, "We plan to continue research on optimizing administration methods and verifying toxicity for future clinical application."
This research involved Ju Yeon Chung and Yoon-Kyoung Hong as co-first authors , and was published in the international journal 'Nature Communications' on July 1st.
Paper Title: Effective treatment of systemic candidiasis by synergistic targeting of cell wall synthesis
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60684-7
This research was supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
2025.07.08 View 704 -
KAIST Presents a Breakthrough in Overcoming Drug Resistance in Cancer – Hope for Treating Intractable Diseases like Diabetes
<(From the left) Prof. Hyun Uk Kim, Ph.D candiate Hae Deok Jung, Ph.D candidate Jina Lim, Prof.Yoosik Kim from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering>
One of the biggest obstacles in cancer treatment is drug resistance in cancer cells. Conventional efforts have focused on identifying new drug targets to eliminate these resistant cells, but such approaches can often lead to even stronger resistance. Now, researchers at KAIST have developed a computational framework to predict key metabolic genes that can re-sensitize resistant cancer cells to treatment. This technique holds promise not only for a variety of cancer therapies but also for treating metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
On the 7th of July, KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced that a research team led by Professors Hyun Uk Kim and Yoosik Kim from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering had developed a computational framework that predicts metabolic gene targets to re-sensitize drug-resistant breast cancer cells. This was achieved using a metabolic network model capable of simulating human metabolism.
Focusing on metabolic alterations—key characteristics in the formation of drug resistance—the researchers developed a metabolism-based approach to identify gene targets that could enhance drug responsiveness by regulating the metabolism of drug-resistant breast cancer cells.
< Computational framework that can identify metabolic gene targets to revert the metabolic state of the drug-resistant cells to that of the drug-sensitive parental cells>
The team first constructed cell-specific metabolic network models by integrating proteomic data obtained from two different types of drug-resistant MCF7 breast cancer cell lines: one resistant to doxorubicin and the other to paclitaxel. They then performed gene knockout simulations* on all of the metabolic genes and analyzed the results.
*Gene knockout simulation: A computational method to predict changes in a biological network by virtually removing specific genes.
As a result, they discovered that suppressing certain genes could make previously resistant cancer cells responsive to anticancer drugs again. Specifically, they identified GOT1 as a target in doxorubicin-resistant cells, GPI in paclitaxel-resistant cells, and SLC1A5 as a common target for both drugs.
The predictions were experimentally validated by suppressing proteins encoded by these genes, which led to the re-sensitization of the drug-resistant cancer cells.
Furthermore, consistent re-sensitization effects were also observed when the same proteins were inhibited in other types of breast cancer cells that had developed resistance to the same drugs.
Professor Yoosik Kim remarked, “Cellular metabolism plays a crucial role in various intractable diseases including infectious and degenerative conditions. This new technology, which predicts metabolic regulation switches, can serve as a foundational tool not only for treating drug-resistant breast cancer but also for a wide range of diseases that currently lack effective therapies.”
Professor Hyun Uk Kim, who led the study, emphasized, “The significance of this research lies in our ability to accurately predict key metabolic genes that can make resistant cancer cells responsive to treatment again—using only computer simulations and minimal experimental data. This framework can be widely applied to discover new therapeutic targets in various cancers and metabolic diseases.”
The study, in which Ph.D. candidates JinA Lim and Hae Deok Jung from KAIST participated as co-first authors, was published online on June 25 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a leading multidisciplinary journal that covers top-tier research in life sciences, physics, engineering, and social sciences.
※ Title: Genome-scale knockout simulation and clustering analysis of drug-resistant breast cancer cells reveal drug sensitization targets ※ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2425384122 ※ Authors: JinA Lim (KAIST, co-first author), Hae Deok Jung (KAIST, co-first author), Han Suk Ryu (Seoul National University Hospital, corresponding author), Yoosik Kim (KAIST, corresponding author), Hyun Uk Kim (KAIST, corresponding author), and five others.
This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT through the National Research Foundation of Korea, and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI).
2025.07.08 View 1140 -
Professor Moon-Jeong Choi Appointed as an Advisor for the ITU's 'AI for Good Global Summit'
Professor Moon-Jeong Choi from KAIST’s Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy has been appointed as an advisor for "Innovate for Impact" at the AI for Good Global Summit, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
The ITU is the UN's oldest specialized agency in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) and serves as a crucial body for coordinating global ICT policies and standards.
This advisory committee was formed to explore global cooperation strategies for realizing the social value of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and promoting sustainable development. Experts from around the world are participating as committee members, with Professor Choi being the sole Korean representative.
<Moon-Jeong Choi from KAIST’s Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy>
The AI for Good Global Summit is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland from July 8 to 11. It is organized by the ITU in collaboration with approximately 40 other UN-affiliated organizations. The summit aims to address global challenges facing humanity through the use of AI technology, focusing on key agenda items such as identifying AI application cases, discussing international policies and technical standards, and strengthening global partnerships.
As an "Innovate for Impact" advisor, Professor Choi will evaluate AI application cases from various countries, participating in case analyses primarily focused on public interest and social impact. The summit will move beyond discussions of technical performance to focus on how AI can contribute to the public good, with diverse case studies from around the world being debated. Notably, during a policy panel discussion at the summit, Professor Choi will discuss policy frameworks for AI transparency, inclusivity, and fairness under the theme of "Responsible AI Development."
Professor Choi commented, "I believe the social impact of technology mirrors the values and systems of each nation. As a society's core values permeate technology, the way AI is developed and used varies significantly from country to country. These differences lead to diverse manifestations of AI's impact on society." She further emphasized, "Korea's vision of becoming an AI powerhouse should not merely be about technological superiority, but rather about enhancing social capital through human-centered AI and realizing communal values that enable us to live together."
Professor Moon-Jeong Choi currently serves as the Dean of the Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy. She is also an external director for the National Information Society Agency (2023-present) and chair of the Korea-OECD Digital Society Initiative (2024-present).
For more information about the AI for Good Global Summit, please visit the official website: https://aiforgood.itu.int.
2025.07.08 View 543