Yonsei News

 From the Search for the Source of Life to Conquering Human Diseases

Biochemistry for the Future of Biomedical Sciences

The College of Life Science and Biotechnology was established by our university in March 2008, to lead the future technology of life sciences through integrated research in basic life sciences, applied biotechnology, and biomedical sciences. Three departments (Department of Systems Biology, Department of Biochemistry, and Department of Biotechnology) under the College of Science and the College of Engineering were reorganized into the College of Life Science and Biotechnology. Although biology and biotechnology are familiar even to non-majors, biochemistry may seem somewhat unfamiliar. Prof. Hyuk-Wan Ko will elaborate on research and teaching programs in the Department of Biochemistry.

Q. What is biochemistry?

Biochemistry is a leading modern life science discipline that seeks to understand life phenomena at the molecular level. The field of biochemistry has contributed immensely to the development of modern life sciences and modern medicine in the 21st century. Its contribution is essential to drug discovery, with biochemical discoveries such as the identification of protein function and structure and the regulation of gene expression being key to the development of new drugs to treat intractable human diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and AIDS. Beginning with the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA in the late 20th century, research breakthroughs in recombinant DNA technology have expanded the scope of life sciences to new forms and accelerated technology development, such as the development of anticancer drugs, animal cloning, gene editing and therapy, stem cell therapy, and personalized precision medicine.

Through the integration of new disciplines, biochemistry has emerged as an independent field of life science that elucidates biological phenomena at the molecular level. We play a bridging role by investigating in-depth the causes of various diseases, cellular mechanisms, and phenomena of organism development at the molecular level and by proposing new research directions to ensure that research findings can be used in the biomedical field.

Q. What are the strengths of Yonsei's Department of Biochemistry?

In 1969, our Department of Biochemistry was the first to be established in South Korea. It has not only pioneered the field of biochemistry in South Korea but has also played a leading role in modern life sciences. Over the years, the Department of Biochemistry has produced more than 1,800 undergraduates and 800 master's and doctoral graduates who have gone on to serve as leaders in various fields, with the goal of fostering global future talent. Many graduates pursued further education in graduate school and then went on to pursue careers as professors, scholars in government-affiliated research institutes, pharmaceutical company scholars, and corporate scholars after completing their overseas training.

The entrepreneurial spirit of the biochemistry department is a significant strength. Moreover, it is the department with the highest faculty entrepreneurship rate (up to 40%), as basic research conducted in the laboratories of our professors has led to the discovery of cures for diseases. In addition, as the importance of the domestic bioindustry has recently increased, many successful cases of new drug development have occurred. Promising companies such as Alteogen, Peptron, and Orum Therapeutics are examples of biochemistry graduates who have challenged and succeeded with their entrepreneurial spirit. These companies, and many other biochemistry graduates, are making history as leaders in the bioindustry.

Q. What is the composition of the Department of Biochemistry? Apprise us about any recent department news.

Currently, the Department of Biochemistry has 12 faculty members, over 120 undergraduate students, and over 100 graduate students. Recently, Professors Won-Tae Lee and Sang-Jun Ha published their research on protein structure elucidation and immune cell characteristics in Nature and Nature Immunology, two of the most prestigious publications in the life sciences field. Alumni companies Alteogen and Orum Therapeutics are leading domestic biotech companies, and they have transferred their drug discovery results to global large pharma companies worth billions of dollars.

Q. What will students learn in the Department of Biochemistry?

Considering the era of biotechnology (BT), our department aims to train students to acquire knowledge and skills in all areas of basic life sciences, apply them to medicine to diagnose and treat diseases for humans, and conduct research for healthy longevity. We expect that with a broad base of BT knowledge, the students will strengthen their specialization and lead to graduate study and become creative and challenging researchers and social leaders who can lead the biomedical sciences in the country and worldwide.

The nature of the biochemistry major curriculum is to learn the chemical properties of the various biomolecules that constitute cells, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, and understand the various life phenomena that cells perform at the molecular level. Biochemistry I and II, pursued in the second year, are the core courses of the biochemistry major and introduce students to the chemical structure and function of the chief substances that constitute life and the nature of enzymatic reactions. In the major course Bioinformatics, students will learn to master basic statistical theories and apply them to the analysis of big data originating from biomedical research. In the course Organic Chemistry, students will discuss the properties, structure, and reactions of new organic compounds, cover various compounds with novel functions, and discuss stereochemistry and mechanisms. In addition, through the Career Exploration Seminar and Career Development Seminar, students will explore, analyze, and present cases of successful industrialization based on biochemistry and related research results to understand the current state of the industry.

In addition to Biochemistry I and II, students learn Molecular Biology, Biophysical Chemistry, Cell Biology I, Genetic Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Molecular Physiology, Physiological Biochemistry, Pathological Biochemistry, and Epigenomics in the second and third years. Molecular Biology covers the basic principles of molecular biology, including the transmission of genetic information, gene replication, transcription, translation, and the regulation of non-coding RNA. The Biophysical Chemistry course covers the structure and biochemical properties of biomolecules, including information on the biochemical and physical chemistry experimental methods and theories that characterize them, the role of the cell in the basic principles and applications of biochemical and physical chemistry experimental methods and theories that characterize them, and the role of the cell in the transport of substances required by the cell, the cell's response to external stimuli, and intracellular signal transduction systems. Cell Biochemistry covers the latest trends in cancer and stem cells based on the cytoskeletal system, mass movement, and the cell cycle. Molecular Physiology covers anatomy and physiology to better understand the structure and function of the human body. Genetic Biochemistry teaches the basic principles of genetics as well as the biochemical concepts of the structure of genes and the mechanisms that regulate their expression.

The fourth-year curriculum includes Cellular Immunology, Physiological Biochemistry, Pathological Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Epigenomics, and Developmental Biochemistry. Cellular Immunology covers the fundamental concepts of immunity, the types, structural properties, and diversity of antigens and antibodies, and the interactions between cells in different immune responses. Physiological Biochemistry and Pathological Biochemistry teach how to treat various diseases by understanding the interrelationships of organs and studying their mechanisms for maintaining the homeostasis of human body systems. Cancer Biology teaches about the molecular biology, cell biology, genetic approaches, and pathogenesis related to the development and metastasis of cancer. Epigenomics covers the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of gene expression and the latest research techniques. Developmental Biochemistry covers molecular biological and genetic knowledge about the developmental processes of living organisms and their regulatory mechanisms.

Q. What type of research is conducted in the laboratories of the Department of Biochemistry?

Faculty in the Department of Biochemistry focus on the fundamental principles of biological phenomena, primarily disease development, the process of changing from a normal to an abnormal state. Their research focuses on the pathogenesis of various diseases, particularly cancer, immune, genetic, and degenerative diseases. Moreover, we have Bioinformatics and Precision Medicine Genomics Laboratories to analyze and discover meaning from biological data, which is essential to modern life sciences and technology.

<Prof. Hyuk-Wan Ko>

"How do living things take birth, grow, age, and die? Biochemistry is a fundamental discipline that seeks to understand the underlying order of these mysterious and complex life phenomena at the molecular level. Furthermore, based on the understanding of life phenomena, biochemistry can directly contribute to human welfare, such as fighting incurable diseases, solving food shortages, and environmental issues. The biochemistry field has made significant contributions to the development of modern life sciences and modern medicine in the 21st century. The identification of protein functions and structure and the regulation of gene expression are key to the development of new drugs to treat intractable human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and AIDS. The contribution of biochemistry is indispensable in this area of drug discovery. In the post-genomic era of the 21st century, when the map of the human genome is complete, the study of genes and proteins will enable a molecular-level understanding of life phenomena, and biochemistry will be at the forefront."

<Prof. Hyun Jung Oh>

"We are studying the function of lncRNAs, which are believed to have the most diverse functions among non-coding RNAs, a new paradigm that has emerged since the human genome project. In particular, we are focusing on studying the epigenomic function of lncRNAs that regulate the genome, which exists in a three-dimensional structure (3D genome). Knowing how the genome is structured in three dimensions and how DNA folds to form loops is critical to understanding the sophisticated and complex gene regulation mechanisms. The RNA Genome Regulation Laboratory aims to develop and advance techniques for functional studies of lncRNAs using epigenomics, 3C-based technologies (e.g., Hi-C), transcriptomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, etc. to uncover novel functions of lncRNAs in regulating the 3D epigenome. Furthermore, we expect to elucidate the mechanisms by which abnormal function of lncRNAs and dysregulation of the 3D genome contribute to disease development."

<Prof. Hyun-Kyu Choi>

"In the Mechanobiology and Biophysics laboratory, we work with a single hypothesis: receptors on cell membranes activate signals inside the cell through mechanical interactions, which affect the cell's function and fate. Fundamental research from different perspectives through interdisciplinary sciences such as biochemistry and biophysics can contribute to curing not only cancer but also a wide range of autoimmune diseases."