KAIST

Newsletter

Vol.29-1.2025.7.

A KAIST Team Engineers a Microbial Platform for Efficient Lutein Production​ 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.

Research

KAIST reveals for the first time the mechanism by which alcohol triggers liver inflammation​ 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.

Military Combatants Usher in an Era of Personalized Training with New Materials​ Traditional military training often relies on standardized methods, which has limited the provision of optimized training tailored to individual combatants characteristics or specific combat situations. To address this, our research team developed an e-textile platform, securing core technology that can reflect the unique traits of individual combatants and various combat scenarios. This technology has proven robust enough for battlefield use and is economical enough for widespread distribution to a large number of troops.

KAIST Researchers Unveil an AI that Generates Unexpectedly Original Designs​ Professor Choi research team developed a technology to enhance creative generation by amplifying the internal feature maps of text-based image generation models. They also discovered that shallow blocks within the model play a crucial role in creative generation. They confirmed that amplifying values in the high-frequency region after converting feature maps to the frequency domain can lead to noise or fragmented color patterns. Accordingly, the research team demonstrated that amplifying the low-frequency region of shallow blocks can effectively enhance creative generation.

Campus/People

King Saud University and KAIST discussed Strategic AI Partnership​ This KAIST KSU collaboration represents a step toward developing a new, inclusive AI model. The collaboration aims to establish an innovative multilateral framework, especially within the MENA, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, by building an open-source-based AI alliance. Both institutions bring complementary strengths to the table. Saudi Arabia possesses large-scale capital and digital infrastructure, while Korea leads in core AI and semiconductor technologies, applied research, and talent cultivation.

KAIST Kicks Off the Expansion of its Creative Learning Building, a 50th Anniversary Donation Landmark​ 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

KAIST Holds 2025 KAIST Science Frontier Camp for Multicultural Youth​ 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.

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