Professor Ahn Young-geun's Research Team at Chonnam National University Medical School Selected for Bio and Medical Technology Development Project

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Professor Ahn Young-geun's research team at the College of Medicine, Chonnam National University, has been selected for the 2022 1st Bio and Medical Technology Development Project Next-Generation Bio Social Contact Support Project promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

According to Chonnam National University on the 11th, Professor Ahn Young-geun, a renowned cardiologist and current director of Chonnam National University Hospital, and his research team were recently selected for the Bio and Medical Technology Development Project with their study titled "Development of Heart Failure Control and Treatment Technology Based on the MyHeart Platform," receiving 11 billion KRW in research funding.

The research period is from April this year to December 2026, lasting 4 years and 9 months, with a total budget of 11 billion KRW consisting of 9.5 billion KRW from the Ministry of Science and ICT, 500 million KRW from Chonnam National University matching funds, and 1 billion KRW from Gwangju Metropolitan City matching funds.

In addition to Principal Investigator Professor Ahn Young-geun, Professors Ko Bong-gyun, Kim Young-guk, Kim Jang-ho, Kim Hyung-seok, Min Jeong-jun, Park Sang-wook, Lee Seung-rok, Lee Hee-kyung, Lee Chang-ho, and Cho Jae-young (all from Chonnam National University), Research Professor Kim Yong-sook (Chonnam National University Hospital), Professor Cho Dong-woo (Pohang University of Science and Technology), Professor Oh Jin-woo (Pusan National University), and Professor Cho Hyun-jae (Seoul National University) are participating as co-researchers.

Ischemic heart failure, characterized by a significant decline in heart function after acute myocardial infarction, is not only a leading cause of death worldwide but also emerging as a major threat to healthy life expectancy.

Although various therapeutics and technologies have been developed, many heart failure patients do not respond effectively to treatments, highlighting the urgent need for fundamental research.

Professor Ahn Young-geun, a cardiology specialist treating patients, is developing cardiovascular disease treatment technologies through domestic and international clinical and basic science research.

The "Development of Heart Failure Control and Treatment Technology Based on the MyHeart Platform," selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT support project, aims to develop accurate and rapid prediction and treatment technologies for ischemic heart failure using clinical data.

In particular, a 3D printer equipped with bioink derived from human cells will be used to manufacture organoid-type in vitro models to verify heart failure treatment candidate substances before commercialization. Additionally, a strategy will be proposed to establish and utilize the nation's first human heart tissue bank.

Professor Ahn Young-geun stated, "Although ischemic heart failure treatment has advanced significantly compared to the past, the increase in heart failure risk factors and aging population means the number of patients is rising, making research using accurate data essential," adding, "We will develop the MyHeart platform for early prediction algorithms based on patient data as well as personalized prevention and optimal treatment for patients."