'Cell Fate Conversion' Professor Kim Jongpil of Dongguk University... December Scientist of the Year

Professor Kim Jong-pil, Dongguk University

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Professor Jongpil Kim of the Department of Chemistry at Dongguk University, who completed the cell fate conversion technology that transforms ordinary cells in our body into nerve cells, has been selected as the 'Scientist of the Month for December.'

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation announced on the 2nd that Professor Kim, chosen as the scientist of the month, will be awarded the Minister of Science and ICT Award along with a prize of 10 million KRW.

Professor Kim received this award in recognition of his achievement in completing the cell fate conversion technology that transforms ordinary cells in our body into nerve cells. He was highly praised for laying the foundation for the treatment of intractable diseases such as dementia and the advancement of regenerative medicine.

Professor Kim's research team established a system that enables the regulation of cell fate conversion in vivo by combining the latest stem cell technology with nanotechnology. Through this, they completed the next-generation core technology for cell fate conversion. The team also verified that cells around damaged nerve cells in mice, into which gold nanoparticles were injected and electromagnetic waves were transmitted, converted into nerve cells and that Parkinson's disease symptoms improved. The related results were published in the international journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Professor Kim stated, "This research is significant in that it completed an in vivo cell fate conversion technology that can overcome the limitations of existing regenerative medicine," and added, "I hope to contribute to the development of innovative cell therapy technologies leading cell regeneration technology through follow-up research." Through subsequent studies, Professor Kim is dedicated to developing technologies applicable to actual medical fields, such as the latest gene editing therapy technology applied to Alzheimer's brain nerve cells.