Professor Dongwon Lee (Department of BIN Convergence Engineering) has developed a novel-concept polymeric nanoparticle capable of simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of various inflammatory diseases, attracting significant attention from the academic community.

The study was published in Advanced Functional Materials, a leading international journal in the materials field (Impact Factor 10.179). In recognition of the scientific importance of Professor Lee's results and their considerable potential for application in treating various inflammatory diseases, the work was featured on the inside cover.

What Professor Lee developed in this research is a biodegradable polyoxalate polymeric nanoparticle. These particles selectively degrade only at specific inflamed sites in atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases and release a natural bioactive compound (hydroxybenzyl alcohol) that exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Consequently, the academic community regards them as a novel class of polymeric nanoparticles that combine anti-inflammatory therapeutics and drug delivery functions.

In particular, by incorporating a fluorescent agent into the developed material, it can also be applied as an imaging contrast agent for diagnosing various diseases. It is therefore expected to be applied to the development of intelligent nanoparticles capable of simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Regarding this work, Professor Lee explained, "We are actively conducting research to apply this technology to the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, and commercialization is highly likely in the near future."

Meanwhile, this research was carried out with support from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s WCU New-Concept BIN Convergence Technology Development Project and the National Research Foundation of Korea’s international collaborative research program. The work was developed through collaborative research with Professor Peter Kang of Harvard Medical School (WCU program overseas participating professor).