Research Professor Yoojin Lee of the Department of Life Sciences at UNIST received the Amgen-Hanlim Life Sciences Award.
The Amgen-Hanlim Life Sciences Award was established in 2021 to discover and honor promising young researchers who have demonstrated outstanding research achievements in the fields of life sciences and biotechnology. Sponsored by Amgen Korea, the awardees are selected by the Korean Academy of Science and Technology, the most prestigious scientific and technological academic institution in Korea.
The awards are presented in two categories: ‘Next Generation Scientist’ and ‘Postdoctoral Researcher.’
Research Professor Yoojin Lee received the award in the postdoctoral researcher category in life sciences for elucidating the role of the ‘GPR143’ protein in the process of cancer metastasis, in collaboration with Professor Youngchan Chae’s team at UNIST.
Professor Lee discovered that the ‘GPR143’ protein selectively binds to biomolecules necessary for cancer metastasis and transports them inside cancer cell exosomes. Furthermore, it was confirmed in animal models of cancer metastasis that exosomes secreted from cancer cells influence surrounding cells and induce cancer metastasis.
The research was evaluated as providing a foundation for a novel cancer suppression strategy by developing diagnostic technology that predicts cancer metastasis using GPR143 as a biomarker and controlling the exosome formation process.
Professor Yoojin Lee said, “I am grateful to many collaborators who helped me work on this interesting research topic, the members of the laboratory who worked together, and my family for their unwavering support and encouragement,” adding, “I will remain true to my original intention and continue to develop as a scientist through more challenging research.”
The award ceremony was held at 4 p.m. on the 26th at the Hanlim Academy Hall. The awardees receive a plaque and a prize of 10 million KRW.
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