October 8^Tue - 11^Fri, 2024
International Convention Center (ICC) Jeju

27Days

Neural circuits are formed by synapses - the minimal computational units in the brain - that orchestrate the transfer and processing of neural information. Synapses dictate developmental programs and plasticity and also determine the diversity and specificity of neural circuits. Given that neural circuits composed of different synapse types are thought to be dynamically shaped in response to different patterns of neural activity, synapse diversity could be a key mechanism underlying the representation of neural information in the brain. This symposium will bring together four neuroscientists who are working on elucidating synaptic and/or circuit mechanism(s) to unravel key organizing principles underlying the specific properties of diverse neural circuits and relevant animal behaviors. Specifically, they will describe various observations encompassing diverse circuits, such as those in the medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and thalamus.

Epigenetic control of gene expression goes beyond the classic definition of chromatin-based mechanisms, and emerging evidence indicates a diverse repertoire of its molecular substrates, such as non-coding RNAs, RNA modifications, and translation dynamics. These post-transcriptional mechanisms provide additional layers of regulatory steps that support the high spatiotemporal resolution and fidelity in gene expression. Not surprisingly, the loss of their function is implicated in human diseases. This symposium will discuss recent advances in our understanding of RNA-templated epigenetics and relevant physiology.

This symposium focuses on retinoblastoma, a representative RB1-deficient pediatric cancer, and other related cancers. Speakers will provide a comprehensive understanding of retinoblastoma, emphasizing advanced treatment strategies. Key discussions include the role of biobanking in advancing precision health for these rare diseases and identifying new therapeutic targets for retinoblastoma and neovascular eye diseases. Additionally, the symposium will explore the impact of epigenetic regulation in the development and progression of retinoblastoma. This symposium promises to be a crucial platform for sharing research and clinical insights, shaping future directions in pediatric oncology.

Problems with the immune system in the human body cause serious diseases, and the need to understand genetic mechanisms to understand these phenomena is increasing. Thanks to recent technological developments, the genetic causes of various immunodeficiencies and autoimmune diseases are being discovered, but research on many diseases is still lacking, and patient treatment is difficult. This session will cover a clinical introduction to immune system diseases and the latest genetic and immunological research on them.

RNAs are fundamental molecules of life that not only mediate the genetic information but also act as signaling regulators. Since plants are immobile, they have evolved to have highly organized regulatory flexibility and complexity, in which RNAs play a critical role for the precise response upon internal and external cues. Emerging evidences have revealed that, in plants, diverse types of RNAs are involved in a broad range of biological processes and post-transcriptional regulation of RNAs are critical for the functional diversity. In this symposium, we will discuss current advances in understanding of plant RNA biology covering regulatory RNA species, modification, processing and functional significance of plant RNAs.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a group of cell membrane receptors, and they not only play a role in sensory organs such as vision, taste, and smell but also regulate various functions in the human body, including metabolism, the central nervous system, and cardiovascular system. This makes GPCRs patho-physiologically significant, and approximately 40% of currently marketed drugs act on GPCRs. Studying the functions and molecular mechanisms of GPCRs not only expands our knowledge in molecular cell physiology but is also crucial for the development of drugs that target GPCRs. Therefore, this symposium will discuss the latest research findings on the mechanisms of action of GPCRs and development for drug discovery targeting GPCRs.

This session has been organized to understand the mechanisms of cellular and human aging and to share efforts with various researchers ultimately aiming to extend human lifespan. To achieve this, we have invited four distinguished speakers from Korea, Singapore and Japan specializing in senescence. We aim to discuss the mechanisms of cellular senescence, the relevance of inflammation and diseases in the aging process, and strategies for prevention and intervention for healthy aging.

The emergence of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic marked a revolutionary advancement in modern medicine, showcasing unprecedented speed and efficacy in combating a global health crisis. By leveraging the body's cellular machinery to produce viral proteins, mRNA vaccines elicit robust immune responses, significantly reducing the severity and spread of COVID-19. This innovative approach not only provided a critical tool in managing the pandemic but also set a new standard for rapid vaccine development, enhancing our preparedness for future emerging infectious diseases. Through ongoing research and technological refinement, mRNA vaccines hold the promise of swift and adaptable responses to a wide array of pathogens, reinforcing global health security. In this session, a distinguished panel of experts will provide valuable insights into the development and implementation of mRNA vaccine technology, highlighting its distinct immunological characteristics and critical role in pandemic preparedness and response. (Presentations will cover strategies for enhancing our readiness to control emerging infectious diseases through mRNA vaccine technology, as well as the role of the Korean government in pandemic preparedness. Additionally, discussions will include the generation of stem cell-like memory T cells by mRNA vaccines and the distinct properties of various vaccine platforms, including a novel mRNA vaccine modality.) These discussions will explore groundbreaking developments and their implications for future infectious disease control

In infectious diseases, the first step involves the pathogen recognizing host cells at the host-pathogen interface. Subsequently, the pathogen directly injects its virulence factors/effectors into the cytoplasm of specific host cells. These virulence factors/effectors then initiate infectious diseases by modulating various functions of the host. In this symposium, we will present the latest molecular biology research on how bacterial toxins recognize host receptors and regulate cellular processes by binding to specific targets.

This session will explain how various pathogenic and environmental diseases that exist in marine life affect them and suggest methods to diagnose and treat the diseases. In particular, recent climate change and dramatic environmental changes can have various adverse effects on the ecosystem due to physiological changes in marine life. Pathogens present in the marine environment not only cause various strains and strengthen virulence, but also cause a variety of new species. Among the marine bio fields, this session focuses on diseases that occur in marine animals. Through this session, we would like to introduce the harmful factors that marine pathogenic/environmental diseases can cause to marine life, suggest various methods to respond to these diseases, thereby making suggestions on where the marine and fisheries sector should move forward in the future.

The regulation of gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms plays a crucial role in various cellular processes such as development, differentiation, proliferation, aging, and the progression of diseases. In this session, we have four speakers actively involved in advancing the field of epigenetics through their contributions to both basic and clinical research.

Plants produce numerous natural products with diverse structures and bioactive properties, especially secondary metabolites that are involved in biological and environmental responses.

Many of these substances exhibit valuable medicinal effects and are therefore used in both traditional and modern medicine, from cosmetic treatments to cancer treatment.

In this symposium, we will present methods to elucidate the biosynthesis of these substances in the organisms and genetically engineer specialized and sometimes novel metabolic pathways. We also introduce biological platforms that enable inexpensive and rapid production in model organisms.

This symposium delves into the intricate relationships between the human and its microbial inhabitants. The human microbiome, a complex community of trillions of microorganisms throughout our body, plays a vital role in essential functions and impacts various physiological processes. Distinguished speakers will unravel the enigmatic role of the microbiome in maintaining health and its implications in various diseases. This symposium seeks to dissect the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying host-microbiome interactions, aiming to enhance our understanding of how these interactions shape human health and disease outcomes.

"Non-model plants" are plant species that are not commonly studied. These plants have genetic diversity and can adapt to different conditions. Studying non-model plants is important for understanding their genetics, physiology, ecology, and potential in biotechnology. This research can lead to discoveries in various areas, such as enhancing plant immune systems, improving growth conditions, developing new crop species, and advancing the production of biological materials. In this symposium, we aim to share the latest research findings and trends in molecular biology and the use of non-model plants. These discoveries break traditional boundaries and open up new opportunities, which will be discussed in detail during the symposium.

This session is focused on "Molecular insights into mouse models for human diseases." Overcoming diverse human diseases requires a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pathological initiation and progression. Mouse models offer an optimal research platform for exploring human diseases comprehensively. A variety of human diseases are being replicated in mouse genetic models, facilitating diverse research endeavors to understand molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis. In this session, we're happy to host four wonderful speakers who have been working on various human diseases, including metabolic disorders, mitochondrial diseases, post-COVID-19 complications, and inflammatory bowel diseases using diverse genetic mouse models. We hope that alongside the lectures by these four distinguished speakers, this session will offer a deeper insight into understanding human diseases pathogenesis through wonderful mouse disease models.

This symposium is ‘KSMCB-Women’s 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.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents the cellular environment in which the tumor exists, including various cell types such as immune cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and the extracellular matrix. This environment plays a pivotal role in cancer progression and response to therapy. Understanding the TME is crucial for the development of effective cancer treatments, particularly in the realm of immuno therapeutics. A significant focus of today's session will be on Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, a groundbreaking approach in cancer treatment. CAR-T therapy involves genetically engineering a patient's T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. This innovative therapy has shown remarkable success in treating certain types of cancers, particularly hematological malignancies. However, the complexity of the TME poses significant challenges to CAR-T therapy, particularly in solid tumors. The immunosuppressive nature of the TME can inhibit the effectiveness of CAR-T cells. Understanding these interactions and developing strategies to overcome them is vital for the advancement of CAR-T therapy in treating a wider range of cancers. Additionally, we will explore other immuno therapeutic strategies that are being developed to modify or harness the TME for more effective cancer treatment. These include checkpoint inhibitors, cytokine therapies, and cancer vaccines, which aim to boost the immune system's response to cancer. Our session will feature insights from leading experts in the field, discussing the latest research developments, clinical trials, and future directions in targeting the tumor microenvironment through CAR-T and other immuno therapeutics.

This session introduces the activities of the Korea BioData Station (K-BDS), which is a national biodata platform that collects and manages data produced in national biological research and development, and utilizes it effectively. We are currently facing considerable challenges in big data deposition, integration, and translation due to the complexity of biological data. To address these problems, in 2020, the Korean government officially announced a new national strategy to collect and manage the biological data produced through national R&D fund allocations and provide the collected data to researchers. To this end, the K-BDS has developed a new biological data repository for sharing data from individual researchers and research programs to create a data-driven biological study environment. Here, we introduce the major activities of the Data Sharing and Utilization Platform, as well as the Proteome, Metabolome, Chemical Compound, and Bioimaging Data Quality Control Centers.

Research on organoids using stem cells is becoming a new cornerstone of 21st-century life sciences. Currently, it is leading to various translational studies, but organoids are also complementing the limitations of conventional animal models by playing a fundamental role as basic biological models for molecular biology and cell biology. Thus, organoids are evolving into new fundamental tools in biology. We have organized a session to bring together leading domestic and international scientists to show the present and future of organoid research.

This symposium is dedicated to the groundbreaking advancements in gene therapy for sensory disorders. In the vast realm of medical research, the intersection of genetics and ophthalmology as well as otology has witnessed remarkable progress. Our collective pursuit to decipher the intricacies of the human genome has paved the way for revolutionary treatments, offering hope and tangible solutions to individuals grappling with conditions affecting their sight and hearing. Throughout history, conditions affecting vision and hearing have posed significant challenges, impacting the quality of life for millions worldwide. However, the advent of gene therapy has ushered in a new era of possibilities - a realm where targeted genetic modifications hold the promise of not just managing, but potentially curing, debilitating ear and eye diseases. This symposium stands as a testament to the dedication of researchers, clinicians, and innovators who have relentlessly pushed the boundaries of science.

Obesity-related metabolic diseases encompass disorders marked by dysregulated physiological processes, arising from excessive adipose tissue accumulation, and intricately connected to conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and certain types of cancer. In this symposium, we are privileged to host four renowned experts at the forefront of metabolic disease research, employing the intersection of preclinical and clinical research to unveil insights that may shape the future therapeutic landscape. These presentations promise to unravel the complexities of these conditions, providing invaluable insights into the latest advancements in the field.

This symposium explores groundbreaking advancements in gene therapy, highlighting novel materials for gene delivery efficiency and lipid nanoparticle-mRNA vectors in ocular gene therapy. It then shows the integration of cancer immunotherapy with gene therapy, offering new perspectives in cancer treatment. Additionally, the symposium discusses preclinical research on subretinal gene therapies for ocular diseases. This symposium promises to be a dynamic hub, merging cutting-edge research with clinical applications, shaping the future of genetic medicine.