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A New Hope for Aggressive Meningioma

KU Medicine neurosurgeons discovered a new therapeutic target for meningioma progression

KU Medicine investigators found a clue to cure for a common brain tumor. A research team led by Drs. Shin-Hyuk Kang and Kyung-Jae Park, professors of neurosurgery, Korea University Anam Hospital together with Dr. Serk In Park, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, performed laboratory experiments using patient samples, cancer cells growing on petri dishes and mice to pinpoint a molecule responsible for the progression of meningioma.

Meningioma is the most common primary brain tumor arising in the membrane of the brain. Most meningiomas have benign characteristics with favorable treatment outcomes, yet a fraction of the patients eventually recur with an aggressive type. Those recurrent meningiomas hardly responds to surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and the afflicted patients can only expect poor outcomes.

The KU Medicine research team examined 101 meningioma patient samples from Anam Hospital and found that a protein called FOXM1 plays important roles during the malignant conversion of meningioma. The team also showed that an experimental drug suppressing FOXM1 prevents meningioma growth in laboratory mice, confirming that FOXM1 is a crucial molecule for meningioma progression. Dr. Kang, the lead investigator, explained, “We are currently performing further research to develop a new drug targeting FOXM1, and also we are confirming whether we can use FOXM1 as a marker to predict which patients will ultimately progress to malignant meningiomas.”

This study entitled “Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) transcription factor is a key oncogenic driver of aggressive human meningioma progression” was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea and published on the June 9th 2019 issue of Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, one of the best among the top 10% of the neuro-science journals.

pubmed link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31179553

Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol. 2019 Jun 9. doi: 10.1111/nan.12571.

KU Medicine Steps Up its Competitive Edge through Active Exchange with Other Universities Abroad

International exchange with other top universities has led the Korea University (KU) College of Medicine to enhance its presence in the global arena.

Recently, the KU College of Medicine successfully held academic symposiums in collaboration with the University of California Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine and the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine.

On May 19, the ‘Second Joint Symposium between KU-UCI’ was held at the Medical School of UCI following its first event that took place in February. At the event, professors of the two schools shared their views and knowledge across six topics: Stem Cell Research in Neuroscience; Precision Medicine; Medical Education; Gastroenterology; Big Data and Medicine; and UCI-KU Optical Collaborations.

Speakers from the Korea University included Hong Sik Lee, Dean of Medical College; Woong Sun, Vice Dean of Study & Exchange; Jang Wook Sohn, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Anam Hospital; Kyung Hwa Park, Professor of Medical Oncology and Hematology at Anam Hospital; Professor Cheol Woong Rhew, and professor Suhong Seo while counterparts from the UCI were Michael J. Stamos, Dean of Medical College; Suzanne B. Sandmeyer, Vice Dean for Research and others who spoke about major research subjects.

Following the session, KU professors paid a visit to the major facilities of UCI Medical School such as the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, UCI Applied Innovation Center, Medical Education Building and Technology, Genomic High-Throughput Facility, Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center, and Douglas Hospital.

At the joint symposium with UCI School of Medicine were discussions on diverse topics including the short-term visit programs to various centers of UCI School of Medicine such as the Stem Cell Research Center, Applied Technology Innovation Center as well as having symposiums involving basic and clinical classes.

Later on July 18 the 'KU College of Medicine - Nagoya College of Medicine Symposium’ took place at the special meeting room of the Central Consulting Building of the Nagoya University. Following MOU signed last year and invited lecture by president Kenji Kadomatsu, the symposium was organized in order to promote cooperation for research among professors of the two schools.

Hong Sik Lee, Dean of Medical College; Woong Sun, Vice Dean of Study & Exchange; Hak Jun Kim, Dean of Public Relations; Chang Soo Han, Director of External Cooperation & Funding; Jae Jun Song, Professor of Otorhinolaryngology at Guro Hospital attended the meeting to exchange views and talk about the possible joint research and student exchange programs with the counterparts from the Nagoya Medical School.

KU College of Medicine will be on the forefront of setting the standards of medical education by having active cooperation and exchange with other schools abroad in academic affairs, clinical application and exchange of students and faculty.

Rapid, Economic and New ‘Molecular Diagnostic Technology’ Developed

Wave-based microfluidic technique to analyze micro droplet cuts down the time to detect infectious disease virus such as Dengue, malaria, MERS

Published in world's top-class SCI journal in biosensor sector, Biosensors and Bioelectronics

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A Korean research team developed a fast detection diagnostic technique for infectious disease such as Dengue, malaria, MERS and others.

A research team led by Chae Seung Lim, professor of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, and professor Jeonghun Nam of Korea University succeeded in developing a wave-based microfluidic technique for rapid and easy detection of infectious disease viruses such as Dengue, malaria, MERS and so on, which would enable early diagnosis.

The research team used the Lamb wave-based mechanical vibration energy to generate movement of particles suspended in the sample containing the Dengue virus. The virus in the sample caused an increase in the viscosity during the genetic amplification process, which induced the streaming velocity decrease of suspended particles. The virus could be detected by comparing the test result with that of a sample without the Dengue virus, which took only 25 minutes in total. In contrast, the conventional molecular approach for detection of Dengue virus is complicated and time-consuming. It takes almost an hour, making the timely diagnosis impossible in clinical setting. In addition, the conventional gene amplification test requires an expensive equipment that costs as much as around 40 million won, and a skilled expert to conduct the test. In other words, it limits the use of the conventional methods in resource-limited developing countries that especially need such a system due to serious infectious disease problems. The main advantages of this newly developed technology are the rapid and accurate diagnosis using a small volume of sample, as little as a sessile drop of 30~50 μl, negating the need for expensive equipment. Also, isothermal process at room temperature or 37℃ is enough for assay, enabling non-experts to simply use the system. Such economic benefit and convenience combined with the accurate results are likely to make the technique widely adopted in the future.

Professor Lim said, “It is the first time to apply the wave-based microfluidic technique to measure the viscosity change, which can be used for molecular diagnostics.” He explained the significance of the study by adding, “Using our newly developed technique, a variety of analysis can be conducted using a small amount of bio-fluids such as blood and saliva with high yield. Therefore, it can be widely used in resource-limited developing countries.”

Dr. Jeonghun Nam said, “Based on the follow-up researches, it was confirmed that it is possible to detect other infectious disease as well as Dengue. Accurate and fast detection of parasites, bacteria and viruses including malaria, MERS, Ebola, Zika and others can help to stop the spread of infectious disease and allow timely treatment, which can in turn reduce mortality. It is expected that this technique can be a useful tool for early diagnosis in the future.”

The study was conducted as part of the Korea Infectious Disease Research and Development Project and published on July 10th online version of the Biosensors & Bioelectronics (Impact Factor =9.518), a top-class SCI journal exclusively covering researches on biosensors.

pubmed link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31302395

Biosens Bioelectron. 2019 Oct 1;142:111496. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2019.111496. Epub 2019 Jul 10.

New Horizon for Healthcare Experts: Education and Research for the Future

KU College of Medicine, KU-Health Science Group Symposium

Organized by the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing of the Korea University and held at Yoon Byeongju Hall, Moonsuk Building on June 7, the ‘KU-Health Science Group Symposium’ was well attended.

Emerging as a viral topic among those in universities committed to training healthcare professional such as doctors, pharmacists and nurses is the ‘Inter-Professional Education (IPE).’ IPE refers to occasions when students from two or more professions learn together. In line with such trend, the KU College of Medicine invited College of Pharmacy and College of Nursing to form the ‘KU-Health Science Group’ together. Following the formation, a symposium was organized in order to have a better understanding of the curriculum of each college, promote co-research through mutual exchange and make contribution to the advancement of healthcare industry as a whole.

The event was attended by more than 70 people consisting of professors, graduate school students and undergraduates who showed keen interest in the topic. It started with the opening speech by Ho Seong Sohn, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs followed by lively presentations on related subjects: Understanding and Convergence in Health Science by Hong Sik Lee, Dean of Medical College; Introduction to the Curriculum of Each College by Choon Hak Lim, Dean of Medical Education; Jeong Gi Kim, Manager of Pharmacy; and Won Ok Oh Manager of Nursing Service; IPE in Health Professionals - What & Why? by Dr. Young Mi Lee, Professor of Medical Education; Present and Future of KU-HSG by Hong Sik Lee, Dean of Medical College; Yong Ho Jun, Dean of College of Pharmacy; and Gyeong Ae Seomun, Dean of College of Nursing. The event was wrapped up with a discussion and a closing ceremony.

Hong Sik Lee, Dean of KU College of Medicine said, “Healthcare education should be able to brace itself for the future. It is important to train students to grow their skills while devoting our energies to research. At the same time, we should commit ourselves to making new explorations and contribute to further advancement.” He also added, “I hope that today's symposium will take the Korea University to another level of education and research in medicine, pharmacy and nursing service so that we would be on the forefront of leading the future.”

Yong Ho Jun, Dean of KU College of Pharmacy said, “I agree to the methodologies and strategies required. It is time for us to think about how to best shape the KU-Health Science Group. I hope that KU-Health Science Group will be leading the advancement of health and medical services in Korea.”

Gyeong Ae Seomun, Dean of KU College of Nursing mentioned, “I appreciate the fact that the three colleges got together with one goal in mind. I think having this kind of chance to start something together is of great significance and value. I expect that three colleges will cooperate in various fields in the future with the goal of offering patient-centered safe care to our patients through evidence-based collaboration.”

A KU College of Pharmacy student said, “It was meaningful in that I was able to listen to the views of professors from different disciplines and backgrounds. I hope that KU-Health Science Group makes further progress through cooperation in various areas including education. Having seminars, voluntary service and other activities together would be very valuable too.”

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