Yonsei Professor Choi Kang-yell of the College of Biotechnology has also been chosen as a recipient of the 2012 National Research and Development Excellent Achievements 100 Award for his research on Ras proteins, which are involved in transmitting signals within cells and whose overactive signaling can lead to several different types of cancer.  Professor Choi, who also serves as Director of the Translational Research Center for Protein Function Control, was recognized with the other award winners in a ceremony at the Seoul Education and Culture Theater on August 28.  
Professor Choi’s research has contributed to the development of Ras-targeted cancer treatments, which are designed to inhibit overactive signaling by the protein.  This is particularly significant, as Erbitux, a popular cancer drug used to treat colorectal and head and neck cancers, is not effective in treating cancers caused by mutations related to Ras proteins.  In January, the results of Professor Choi’s research were transferred to Handock Pharmaceuticals. 
Currently, Professor Choi and Professor Han Gyoon-hee (also from Yonsei’s College of Biotechnology) are engaged in a research project that will lead to the development of more efficient and less toxic cancer treatments.  This project has been selected by the Pan-Ministry New Pharmaceutical Development Project, which provides funding and support for promising research projects devoted to developing new medicines.  Professor Choi’s and Professor Han’s joint research project, which is also being conducted in cooperation with Handok Pharmaceuticals, is scheduled to complete its pre-clinical stage by early 2014, before continuing on to clinical development trials.