Kim Research Group
Nanoengineered Biomaterial Systems Laboratory
Chonnam National University
Overview
Our research group focuses on development of methodologies for processing biomaterials in macro/micro/nanoscale using fundamental principles of biosystems engineering and precision manufacturing technology to develop innovative biomaterial devices and systems. Our research group explores the new area on the innovative bio & micro/nanoengineering for improving life of living systems including plants, animals, and humans. The specific research interests include i) micro/nanoengineering platforms, ii) applications for animals and humans (biomaterials, cell and tissue engineering, tissue/organ-on-chips), and iii) applications for plants (functional packing (nano-coating), growth and treatment of diseases).
Biomaterials and Biofabrication
This research area focuses on designing and manipulating innovative multifunctional engineering devices using biomaterials (i.e., biocompatible materials) in combination with micro- and nanotechnology, which can be used as unique platforms for novel agriculture, biological, biomedical, environmental, and food applications.
Biologically Inspired Engineering Systems
Biologically inspired engineering systems are unique devices inspired by complex functions of living biological systems such as humans, animals, and plants. This research area focuses how we can apply the biological systems for design and manipulation of engineering platforms for better understanding complex living systems as well as for various agriculture, biological, biomedical, environmental, and food applications for improving human life.
Cell and Tissue Engineering
Cell and tissue engineering provide methodologies for regeneration or replenishment of damaged or diseased cells, tissues, and organs in body of living systems such as humans, animals, and plants for improving their health. Using biomaterials-based engineering platforms and nanotechnologies in combination with traditional molecular, cell biology, and live cell imaging approaches, this research area focuses to develop the methodologies for improving functions of living systems.
Agricultural Micro- and Nanotechnology
Combining the agriculture engineering principles and techniques with the innovative micro- and nanotechnologies, agricultural micro- and nanotechnologies provide new solutions in local, national and global challenges of agriculture fields. This research area focuses to develop novel ways to overcome current agricultural problems using novel micro- and nanotechnologies.
Specific Aims
Technological research: This research area focuses on designing and manipulating innovative multifunctional engineering platforms using biologically inspired design principles, integrated biomaterials, and micro- and nanoengineering strategies for agriculture, biological, biomedical, environmental, and food applications: Developing (i) topographically-defined two or three dimensional functional platforms inspired by the unique architectures of native tissues or extracellular matrixes (ECMs); (ii) micro- and nanoscale capsules for incorporating specific drugs/genes and programmed delivery for agriculture and biological applications; (iii) agricultural micro- and nanotechnologies.
Fundamental research: Using engineered in vitro tissue models in combination with traditional molecular, cell biology, and live cell imaging approaches, this research area investigates how topographical features such as ECM mechanics regulate cell function and tissue regeneration: Finding a crucial role of topographical guidance on (i) the individual or collective cell migration and function in the context of wound healing and cancer invasion; (ii) the fate and function of stem cells (e.g., proliferation and differentiation).
Translational research: This research focuses on developing methods for regeneration or replenishment of damaged or diseased cells, tissues, and organs in body for improving human, animal, and plant health: In vitro and in vivo (i) cell regeneration (e.g., auditory hair cells, neurons) using engineered platforms such as specific drugs/genes-incorporated micro- and nanoscale capsules and functional nanomaterials (e.g., graphene, CNT); (ii) tissue and organ regeneration (tooth, skin, bone, tendon, heart, muscle) using biologically inspired functional engineering scaffolds and stem cells; (iii) developing in vitro tissue model for evaluating new drugs and food as well as studying human, animal, and plant diseases.
Research Funding
National Research Foundation of Korea (Co-PI / 2022 - 2026)
Korean Fund for Regenerative Medicine (2022 - 2026)
Advanced Medical Device Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease (RLRC) (2022 - 2027)
Commercializations Promotion Agency for R&D Outcomes (2022)
National Research Foundation of Korea (BRL) (Co-PI / 2021 - 2023)
National Research Foundation of Korea (PI / 2021 - 2023)
National Research Foundation of Korea (Co-PI / 2019 - 2024)
National Research Foundation of Korea (PI / 2019 - 2022)
National Research Foundation of Korea (PI / 2016 - 2021)
Agricultural Robotics and Automation Research Center (ARC) (Co-PI / 2017 - 2021)
Rural Development Administration (PI / 2016 - 2018)
National Research Foundation of Korea (PI / 2015 - 2018)
Chonnam National University (PI / 2015 - 2017)
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (2016 - 2018)
Welcome to Kim Research Group @ CNU !
Lab. for micro- and nanobioengineering & agriculture and biological applications
