—Results Published in Nature Chemistry

—May Lead to New Cancer Treatments

A research team led by Yonsei Professor Shin In-jae from the Department of Chemistry has developed synthetic ion transporters that induce apoptosis, the natural process of programmed cell death. Because insufficient apoptosis results in uncontrolled cell proliferation, such as cancer, these ion transporters have a great deal of potential in terms of developing new anti-cancer drugs and treatments. Joining Professor Shin in the research were Yonsei pharmacy Professor Wan Nam-kung, Professor Jonathan L. Sessler from the University of Texas at Austin, and Professor Philip A. Gale from the University of Southampton.

The research results were published in the online version of Nature Chemistry under the title “Synthetic ion transporters can induce apoptosis by facilitating chloride anion transport into cells.”  Funding for the project was provided by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.