November 6^Mon - 8^Wed, 2023
International Convention Center (ICC) JEJU

D-Days

Plants are exposed to ever-changing environments and numerous attacks, and various survival strategies have been developed accordingly. In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in understanding survival strategies of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. The dynamic roles of cell wall components such as lignin and suberin in the response to various stresses have been elucidated, and novel secretory pathways for the monomeric components have been suggested. The molecular links between stress and development, particularly flowering time, have been elucidated. In addition, the mechanisms of intracellular NLR immune receptors that recognize pathogen-secreted effector proteins and activate immune responses in plants have been elucidated, broadening our understanding of plant immune responses. These new discoveries break through the limitations of traditional view and opens up new horizons, the details of which will be presented in this session.

This symposium is ‘KSMCB-Women Bioscience Forum (WBF)’ co-session which introduces outstanding new members as early career women scientists working in the diverse fields of molecular and cellular biology. We expect this session would be effective for discussing recent state-of-art research of young women scientists and further implications in biological sciences and the treatment of a number of diseases.

Cellular metabolism is maintained by crosstalk between mitochondria and nucleus. Nucleus can regulate mitochondrial functions by expressions of mitochondrial proteins; mitochondria can exert alterations of nuclear transcriptions via metabolism. These antegrade and retrograde signaling are essential for maintaining homeostasis upon cellular stress. In this symposium, leading scientists in mitochondrial biology will present the latest discoveries and therapeutic applications of Mitonuclear communication.

Translational science is a rapidly growing discipline in the biomedical field. The goal of translational science is eventually to promote the discovery of new diagnostic tools and treatments by combining disciplines, resources, expertise, and techniques of basic research and clinical fields. The most recent developments in translational research on cancer and inflammation will be the primary focus of this session. The molecular mechanisms of cancer and inflammation, the role of genetics and epigenetics, and new developments in translational medicine will be discussed as topics. In this session, we will provide an overview of the most recent research on cancer and inflammation, discuss the cellular processes that cause cancer and inflammation, and investigate the roles that genetics and epigenetics play in the development of cancer and inflammation. We hope that participants will leave with an understanding of the most recent findings from research on cancer and inflammation, especially cellular processes that underlie cancer and inflammation and potential genetic and epigenetic risk factors for cancer and inflammation in our bodies.

Evolutionary genetics is a thriving discipline that investigate the genetic past of a population of a species using genome sequence variation data. Through the unifying lens of the mathematical theory of genome sequence evolution, evolutionary geneticists study a wide range of taxa across the tree of life from diverse perspectives, concerning phylogeny, history, ecology, and function. In this session, we will showcase the far-reaching diversity of evolutionary genetics with presentations by four prominent scholars, ranging from human history (Dr. Kae Koganebuchi) to virus evolution (Prof. Yuseob Kim) to green algae genomes and physiology (Prof. Eunsoo Kim) to evolution and development of the neural system (Prof. Daehan Lee). From these presentations, we would like to show the core questions of evolutionary genomics: i.e. the genetic basis of biological diversity, history, and function.

The discovery of non-coding RNAs challenged the principles of the central dogma which classified RNAs as merely “messengers” of DNA-encoded genetic information. Through their structural and functional diversities, RNAs are involved in nearly all biological processes and emerge as key molecules in supporting biological complexity. Recent evidence indicates the presence of additional flavors to the classical definition of coding/non-coding RNAs (e.g., circular RNA, tRNA-derived small non-coding RNA), elucidating novel principles of their biogenesis, activity, and metabolism. RNA molecules and their binding proteins also serve as substrates of biomolecular condensates (e.g., stress granules) that are important for cellular homeostasis and highly relevant to neurodegenerative diseases. This symposium will discuss recent advances in our understanding of RNA biology accordingly.

Cells are continuously exposed to various intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli which might cause cellular dysfunction or even death. Cells evolutionally develop defense system to cope with these stresses to restore their functions or to decide to die, which collectively called stress response. The cellular responses might originate from various organelles including endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and lysosome. Given the significant implications of cellular stress responses to human physiology and diseases, we especially focus on the cellular stress response originated from the organelles and the interplay between these responses that ultimately determine the fate of the stressed cells.

Cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease driven by its complex pathogenesis, which involves diverse genetic or epigenetic dysregulations in numerous functional pathways. Over the past few decades, there have been substantial advances in developing molecular therapy for cancer by elucidating diverse molecular alterations. Tumor microenvironment is created by the tumor and dominated by various tumor-induced interactions, such as inhibition of immune cell functions, apoptosis of anti-tumor effector cells and expansion of cancer stem cells, which are accomplished through the activation of one or several molecular mechanisms. In addition, cancer cell metabolism is characterized by an enhanced uptake and utilization of glucose, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. In this session, we will talk about recent advances in understanding cellular and molecular pathways operating in the tumor microenvironment and emerging therapeutic strategies to block tumor progression and metastasis.

This session aims to explore the translation of research findings from animal models to human clinical applications, with a focus on various aspects of metabolic disease research and therapeutic development. The session will feature presentations from four experts in their respective fields. Dr. JK Seong will delve into mouse models in metabolic disease research and highlight recent advancements in genetic manipulation technology and multi-omics research. Dr. Choi will provide an overview of the current status and prospects of anti-obesity drugs and present his recent findings on novel mechanisms of neuronal control of appetite. Dr. TY Li will share insights into the mTOR signaling pathway in mitochondrial metabolism and aging-related diseases. Finally, Dr. JE Son will illustrate the regulatory roles of Irx3 and Irx5 in hypothalamic postnatal neurogenesis and leptin response.

Tissue development and homeostasis are governed by stem cells that are able to self-renew and differentiate into multiple types of functional cells. Recently, both embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells are utilized to study the mechanisms of tissue development and regeneration, develop model systems of human diseases, and establish the platforms of therapeutic development. Particularly, cell therapy using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived differentiated cells has been actively developed and tested in preclinical and clinical settings. In the symposium, topics in iPSCs-derived cell therapy strategy for Parkinson’s disease, modeling of early human embryo development, and the regulation of adult skin and intestinal stem cells by micro-environment will be discussed. The lectures will provide scientific as well as therapeutic insights into how stem cells respond to external stimuli to govern proper lineage programs and how we can exploit the processes to cure human diseases.

The circadian clock is a key mechanism within cells that adjusts to changes in the external environments and regulates rhythmic plant physiology and development. Plants have evolved a circadian clock, enabling them to sense and respond to environmental changes to maintain homeostatic balance. Recently, it has been reported that biological clock factors are involved in the modulation of various signaling to adapt to environmental changes through various protein dynamics at the post-translational levels. These research demands may help explain the links between the circadian clock and environmental response. This symposium will share recent research on dynamic protein behaviors in biological clock mechanisms in plant-environment interactions. We encourage participants to share recent research on the plant circadian clock.

This symposium is composed of four outstanding neuroscientists who are studying neural circuits and cognition. It will talk about various levels of studies that are related to neural circuit mechanisms involved in cognitive behaviors, Sensor development for monitoring neurotransmitters in the synapse, the role of dopamine activity in spatial navigation, neural circuit level computational principle of the tactile perception, and development of high temporal and spatial resolution MRI techniques for monitoring single-cell level activity, in which the topics ranging from synapse to cellular network level neural mechanisms will be covered.

Problem to be solved: When transferred directly from academia or research institutes to industry in the form of start-up or technology transfer, there are often cases where previously identified data are not reproduced in the industry or show different results. This can cause major problems not only in industry but also in academia/research institutes. We would like to discuss how to facilitate data translation between academia and industry, or whether there is any way to overcome these problems.
In addition, we would like to present a new academia-industry collaboration model by considering how to transfer and grow academia-industry technology without any trial and error through early technology transfer through the academia-industry collaboration process.

The microbiome, comprised of the microbiota, its collective genomes called the metagenome, and myriads of macromolecules and metabolites, is an integral part of the biosphere and our body. Members of the microbiota include bacteria, archaea, microbial eukaryotes, and respective viruses. Recent studies reveal that miniscule constituents, mutualistic, commensal, or pathogenic, of the human microbiome play pivotal roles in health and disease. Not only are they important in nutrient digestion and gastrointestinal health, but they are also intimately and intricately involved in metabolism, immunity, development, circulation, and behavior, and modulate them in many ways. The session brings together experts in human microbiome research to overview enabling technologies and scientific achievements, to discuss challenges and opportunities, and to explore novel pharmabiotics candidates that have pharmacological potential for maintaining health or treating diseases.

To understand the role of cilia, which are organelles involved in various intracellular signal transduction processes and the molecular mechanisms of diseases affecting various tissues and organs caused by their defects.

The main themes of this session are: 1) Explore recent advances in cancer cell metabolism directed by oncogenic PI-3 kinase/Akt signaling pathway; 2) Understand the biological significance of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cell survival; 3) Uncover the contribution of glutaminolysis to the integrative control of tumor metabolism, hypoxia, and chemoresistance; 4) Highlight the innovative approach to selectively kill cancer cells by modulating toxic metabolites; 5) Identify the role of micropinocytosis in leukemic cancer cell survival and chemoresistance. This session will present the latest research findings and stimulate discussion on the mechanisms of how cellular signaling events and tumor metabolism are functionally linked in cancer cells.

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites which rely on their host cells for the energy, macromolecular synthesis machinery, genome replication and particle assembly. Because of this dependence, viruses have evolved a myriad of mechanisms for exploiting normal host cell functions By examining cellular responses to infection, we can gain insights regarding the mechanisms associated with the restriction of virus infection or, in cases where control is ineffective, pathogenesis. Such knowledge is a prerequisite for the successful modulation of these responses to develop direct-acting antivirals targeting viral proteins, or direct and indirect therapies targeting host cell components, which would have a reduced likelihood to allow resistance development. During this session, 4 speakers will discuss topics which cover viral transmission, replication mechanisms, in vivo pathogenesis, host response immunity and viral evasion strategies. The virus models include Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Zika virus (ZIKV) and hepatitis B and E viruses (HBV, HEV). The session will highlight the importance of the One health approach to the human-animal ecosystem and the need to develop research preparedness to enlighten the virus-host interaction of emerging and re-emerging viruses.

The goal of this symposium is to understand the principles of cellular processes regulating mechanical responses from molecular to cellular levels. This symposium will cover biological thermodynamics; enzyme kinetics and function; ligand-receptor signaling in mechanotransduction by cellular forces; and cell decision making in cell-cell interaction (Regarding conformational change of enzymes, focal adhesion formation, force transmission thru actin networks, force-dependent cellular responses, and receptor trafficking). The audiences are expected to understand the cellular processes of life sciences at the level of molecules and synaptic complexes in cells.

Transposable elements (TEs) have been found in a variety of genomes. TEs are a major source of genetic diversity in eukaryotes. TEs have played an important role in the diversification and enrichment of mammalian transcriptomes. These elements are associated with genomic instability, cancer, epigenetics, gene expression, biomarkers, and DNA repair.

Understanding how memories produce behavioral changes is a fundamental goal of neuroscience. To achieve this goal, we need deep appreciation of behavior as well as a detailed knowledge of the underlying underpinnings. Pioneering scientists have established the related fields of behavioral genetics and neural circuitry toward genuine secrets of animal behaviors, associated with emotional and reward memories. These two approaches have recently been combined unprecedentedly, effectively fuelled by powerful new technical tools such as optogenetics. At this symposium, leading researchers studying neurobiology of memory formation and maintenance will present exciting new results and prompt better understanding of cellular and synaptic mechanisms for emotional & reward memories.

Bone is a living, growing tissue that composes the basic skeleton of the body and is linked to various biological systems, such as the immune, the nervous, cardiovascular, metabolism, and stem cells. Bone tissue is continuously being remodeled through resorption and formation mediated by the communication of bone cells. Various bone diseases are induced from an imbalance between bone resorption and formation. Therefore, the studies concerning the dynamic structure function and metabolism of bone tissue is necessary for developing therapeutics of bone diseases and maintaining healthy bone. This symposium is providing a better understanding of bone cell functions and of the pathophysiology of bone diseases, and is suggesting new regulatory genes, molecules and mechanisms for therapeutics to treat bone diseases.

Single-cell technologies are revolutionizing our fundamental understanding of tumor microenvironment. Especially single-cell analysis enables the dissection of tumor cellular heterogeneity, including tumor, stroma, and immune cells, leading to the identification of novel cell types and measurement of a continuum of intra-tumoral cell states. In this symposium, five speakers will discuss how to apply cutting-edge single-cell technologies for immune-oncology.