JBNU Professor Dongjun Park (College of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering) has been selected for the 'Daewoong Foundation Young Medical Scientist Research Support Program' sponsored by Daewoong Pharmaceutical.

Accordingly, Professor Park will pursue the development of stem cell-based therapeutics to restore bodily tissues damaged by diabetes.

The core of the research is the development of stem cell-based therapies that target specific receptors on target cells. The primary objective is to propose a novel therapeutic strategy to regenerate tissue damaged by diabetes.

In particular, the study will elucidate the effects of key components (payloads) identified through high-resolution genetic analysis at the single-cell level on the process of human tissue regeneration, and will establish a platform to translate these findings into therapeutic applications.

Through this work, it is expected that new therapeutic alternatives can be offered to patients suffering from intractable diseases such as diabetic complications.

Professor Park is an early-career researcher in next-generation bio research who joined JBNU in September this year. Prior to his appointment, in 2024 he received the 'GC Green Cross Fellowship' from the Korean American Society of Biopharmaceutical Professionals (KASBP) and the 'Hanmi Travel Grant Award' from the Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology (KSMCB), gaining international recognition for his research capabilities.

Additionally, Professor Park has successfully conducted research in which he precisely designed and engineered nanoparticles (exosomes) derived from macrophages, targeting intractable diseases including diabetic disorders, as well as pulmonary and vascular conditions.

It is expected that the selection of this project will serve as an opportunity to further elevate JBNU's research competitiveness in the fields of bio- and biomedical engineering.

Professor Park said, "It is especially meaningful to begin the research on the upcoming Christmas Eve thanks to the selection of this research project," and added, "Through this study, I will propose an innovative therapeutic solution that can provide tangible benefits to patients suffering from diabetes."