Research

“Smart Photonic Healthcare Devices” How Light Is Transforming the Future of Healthcare

[POSTECH · University of Oxford · Northwestern University, highlighting research trends in photonic nanomaterials and smart healthcare] A research team led by Professor Sei Kwang Hahn (Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, POSTECH) has published an Editorial (foreword article) for an Advanced Materials Special Issue, in collaboration with Professor Dame Molly Stevens (University of Oxford, UK) and Professor John Rogers (Northwestern University, USA). The Editorial was recently published online in Advanced Materials and was selected as the cover article. It provides a systematic overview of the latest advances and future directions in photonic nanomaterials and healthcare devices. Light can be precisely controlled in terms of wavelength, intensity, and frequency, enabling highly precise manipulation of cells and tissues. A broad range of medical technologies have been developed with light, including fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging, photothermal and photodynamic therapies, photobiomodulation, and optogenetics. Recently, the convergence of miniaturized LEDs, stretchable and flexible electronics, and wireless communication technologies has further expanded the field toward wearable and implantable medical devices. This Special Issue captures these trends in a comprehensive framework. Across a total of 17 papers, including 1 Perspective, 9 Reviews, and 7 Research Articles, it presents photonics-enabled smart healthcare through four sub-themes: (i) nanomaterials for diagnosis and therapy, (ii) wearable photonic devices, (iii) implantable photonic devices, and (iv) integration with digital healthcare. Rather than simply listing individual achievements, the issue emphasizes an integrated view of the field’s technological status and development trajectory, underscoring its academic significance. The Editorial also addresses practical challenges that must be resolved for photonic technologies to be widely adopted in clinical settings. Key cross-cutting issues include long-term stability, immunocompatibility, scale-up, and medical regulatory pathways. For wearable devices, compliance and data security are highlighted as major concerns, whereas for implantable devices, wireless energy transfer and foreign-body responses are identified as critical hurdles. If these technical challenges are overcome, healthcare can be changed dramatically. Small devices worn on the body can detect early disease signals, light-based therapies can complement drugs and surgery, and personalized precision medicine would become a part of daily life. This is why photonic technologies become increasingly important for the shift from hospital-centered care to healthcare embedded in daily life. Professor Hahn noted, “The convergence of photonic nanomaterials and digital devices is an important trend that blurs the boundary between diagnosis and treatment and advances human-centered precision medicine. We hope this Special Issue will serve as a meaningful reference point for understanding and accelerating research in photonics-based smart healthcare.” This work related to this Editorial was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) under the Ministry of Science and ICT (including the BRIDGE program and Basic Science Research Program), the Multi-ministerial Medical Device R&D Program, the B-IRC program, and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. ▶️ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202518886

Mussel Adhesion Meets Conductivity: New Bioglue for Bioelectronic Implants

[POSTECH and Pukyong National University researchers develop a conductive bioglue that seamlessly integrates tissues and electronic devices in the fluid‑filled body] A research team led by Professors Hyung Joon Cha (POSTECH) and Kang-Il Song (Pukyong National University) has successfully developed a conductive bioglue that ensures both firm adhesion and stable electrical signaling within the human body. Inspired by the way mussels cling to underwater rocks, this new biomaterial is expected to revolutionize muscle and nerve regeneration as well as the stability of implantable medical devices. The body's internal environment, much like the ocean, is filled with blood and interstitial fluids, making it extremely difficult for materials to remain attached. This has been a major hurdle in connecting damaged tissues or attaching bioelectronic devices, such as pacemakers and brain stimulators, to organs. Conventional adhesives often exhibit weak bonding in wet environments and poor electrical conductivity, making it difficult to achieve long-term monitoring and treatment. To overcome these challenges, the team developed a liquid protein-based adhesive that is immiscible (does not mix with water) and highly conductive. They integrated an electro-crosslinking technology that enables the adhesive to solidify into a gel within seconds upon receiving an electrical stimulus, securing it precisely at the target site. The efficacy of this innovation was clearly demonstrated in diverse experimental settings. In tissue-to-tissue interface tests, the adhesive successfully restored interrupted electrical signals between nerves and muscles in severed tissue, promoting regeneration and immediate recovery of motor functions without the need for additional sutures. Furthermore, in tissue-to-device interface experiments, the adhesive enabled medical devices to be securely affixed to organ surfaces without sutures or toxic chemical adhesives. This integration significantly reduced electrical resistance between the organ and the device, enabling stable, long-term, high-precision monitoring of biological signals. "This research presents a new biomaterial technology that goes beyond simple adhesion to provide stable signal transmission even in the body’s harsh environment," said Professor Hyung Joon Cha of POSTECH. "It will contribute significantly to rehabilitation and healthcare, serving as a key adhesive material for next-generation implantable bioelectronics and nerve regeneration therapies." This study, conducted by the research team, including Mr. Hyun Tack Woo and Dr. Jinyoung Yun from POSTECH, was recently published online in Biomaterials, a leading international journal in the field of biomaterials. The research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). ▶️ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123904

Multiply and Subtract Your Way to More Lifelike VR Avatars

[Prof. Inseok Hwang’s team unveils ArithMotion, enabling socially-aligned avatar motions with simple arithmetic inputs] POSTECH Professor Inseok Hwang’s team has developed ArithMotion, a mobile virtual reality (VR) system that enables anyone to express a wide range of avatar motions with ease. Using simple arithmetic-like controls, users can scale an avatar’s motion up or down and reverse it into an opposite response, allowing more natural nonverbal communication without expensive equipment. In social VR platforms such as VRChat, people communicate through their avatars’ movements, facial expressions, and gestures. In particular, bodily motions are a key channel for building emotional connections between users and enhancing immersion and a sense of agency. However, because most users do not have access to expensive full-body tracking equipment, they are often limited to repeating preset motions—making natural, spontaneous communication difficult. In this study, the team focused on a natural form of social behavior known as “peer relativity”—the way people instinctively mirror others’ actions or respond in the opposite direction. They brought this phenomenon directly into VR avatars: when another player celebrates a win with an excited gesture, your avatar can respond in the same way, while threatening behavior from others can trigger a more defensive, protective reaction—preserving a more lifelike sense of social realism. The key idea is an intuitive, arithmetic-style input method. If a user multiplies another person’s motion by a number, such as 2, the avatar produces an amplified, more expressive reaction; applying a minus sign generates an opposite response. Much like pressing “+” or “−” buttons on a calculator, users can convey their intent through simple inputs without complex controls. The team implemented the technology as a mobile-ready system, making it practical for real-world use. As a result, even in motion-limited settings such as mobile VR, users can express a variety of socially-aligned motions. Instead of repeating the same preset gestures like a robot, they can react in ways that match their intent—allowing them to feel more like themselves, even in virtual spaces. This work is significant in that it helps narrow the gap in nonverbal expression caused by differences in hardware, opening a path for more people to communicate on more equal terms. Professor Inseok Hwang, who led the study, said, “ArithMotion was designed so that avatars can respond naturally to others’ actions, enabling more lifelike communication in VR,” adding, “We also expanded its potential applications by making it usable on smartphones.” Jaewoong Jang, the first author of the paper, added, “We focused on helping the system understand users’ intent accurately and express it in a much more natural way.” This study—conducted by Professor Inseok Hwang’s team in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at POSTECH (integrated Ph.D. student Jaewoong Jang, Ph.D. student Sungjae Cho, and undergraduate student Yeseul Shin)—was recently presented at ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VRST 2025), a leading international conference in the VR field. This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea through the Mid-career Researcher Program and the Future Convergence Technology Pioneer Program, as well as by grants from the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, and the Korea Innovation Foundation. ▶️ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3756884.3766039 1. ArithMotion : A portmanteau of “arithmetic” and “motion.” It refers to a method that generates new avatar motions by applying simple arithmetic operations—such as multiplication and subtraction—to another person’s movements.

Typhoons: The Hidden Lifeline in a Drying World

[Prof. Jonghun Kam’s team identifies the role of typhoons in mitigating droughts through an analysis assuming a world without typhoons] A research team led by Professor Jonghun Kam from POSTECH has revealed that typhoons are a critical factor in mitigating global droughts by simulating a scenario where typhoon-induced precipitation is removed. The study delivers the message that "imagining a world without typhoons is the starting point for understanding future droughts," and was recently published in Geophysical Research Letters, a leading international journal in the field of Earth sciences. Typhoons are commonly perceived as disasters that bring floods and destruction. However, the rain they leave behind plays a vital role in delaying droughts and maintaining the water cycle. Despite this, the impact of a lack of typhoons on drought has rarely been systematically analyzed. This study began with a simple but profound question: "How much would drought patterns change if typhoons never occurred?" Using global data spanning 40 years (1980–2020), the research team conducted global hydrological model experiments comparing scenarios with and without typhoon precipitation. Essentially, they placed a "world with typhoons" and a "world without typhoons" side-by-side to analyze differences in soil moisture, river runoff, and drought intensity. The results showed that if typhoon precipitation was removed, soil moisture declined sharply across many regions worldwide, leading to significantly more severe drought conditions. Notably, the way typhoons moistened the soil and the duration of that effect varied significantly by region: • Arid and semi-Arid Regions (e.g., Oceania): Soil moisture provided by typhoons vanished within a year, and the absence of typhoons resulted in extreme drought. • Humid Regions (e.g., East Asia): Soil moisture did not deplete entirely even without typhoon rain. These findings indicate that while a lack of typhoons is a decisive trigger for drought in some regions, it acts as a condition that exacerbates drought in others. This research introduces a new variable for water management in the era of climate change. As typhoon paths and frequencies shift, some regions may face droughts far more severe than anticipated. These impacts may extend beyond agricultural production to include water resource management, urban water supply, and disaster response strategies. Professor Jonghun Kam highlighted the significance of the study, stating: "While landfalling typhoons have primarily been a research interest as the key cause of flooding and damage, this study scientifically shifts the perspective toward its role in alleviating droughts. The findings of this study highlight the need for climate models that can accurately simulate both typhoons and droughts simultaneously." This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) through the Individual Basic Research Program. ▶️ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL120290

“A spray shield that adheres to transplant organs” reduces the burden on patients taking lifelong immunosuppressants

[A joint research team from POSTECH and Ewha Womans University develops a spray-type coating that adheres to transplant organs and prevents immune rejection] A new technology has been developed to suppress immune rejection, the biggest challenge in organ transplantation, without causing systemic side effects. A research team from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and Ewha Womans University has developed the "Immune-Shield" technology, which directly sprays immunosuppressants onto the surface of organs using mussel-derived adhesive protein. These findings were recently published in the Journal of Controlled Release, an international academic journal in the fields of pharmacology and drug delivery. Organ transplantation is the most effective treatment for restoring organs damaged by accidents or diseases. However, there is a critical global shortage of transplantable organs. While xenotransplantation—the transplantation of animal organs into humans—has gained attention as an alternative, immune rejection remains a major challenge, as the human immune system recognizes transplanted organs as foreign invader. To prevent this, patients must continuously take immunosuppressants. However, oral or injection-based administration distributes the drugs throughout the body, which can lead to serious side effects such as kidney toxicity and increased risk of infection. This paradoxical situation repeats itself: drugs intended to preserve organs actually weaken the patient's immune system. The research team, led by Professor Hyung Joon Cha (Department of Chemical Engineering and School of Convergence Science and Technology) at POSTECH, along with Ph.D. candidates Sangmin Lee and Hyun Tack Woo, Dr. Geunho Choi, and Professor Kye Il Joo of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Ewha Womans University, focused on delivering drugs directly to transplanted organs rather than systemically throughout whole body. The research team developed a technique that leverages the principle of mussels' strong adhesiveness even underwater to directly attach microscopic gel particles containing immunosuppressants to the surface of organs. This method involves coating the surface of biological tissues using adhesive microgels, which the team named "Immune-Shield." The "Immune-Shield" is applied via a spray method. This system stably coats even wet organ surfaces, and the microgels remain on the surface to slowly release the immunosuppressant. By forming an invisible protective layer on the organ, the system ensures the drug is delivered specifically to the transplant site instead of spreading through the bloodstream to the rest of the body. In xenotransplantation experiments, the application of the "Immune-Shield" significantly reduced immune cell infiltration and inflammatory responses, significantly extending the survival of transplanted tissues. This finding is significant in that it demonstrated that an immunosuppressive effect was more than twofold higher than that of conventional drug delivery methods. Professor Hyung Joon Cha, who led the research, stated, "We propose a strategy to solve the long-standing challenge of immunosuppressants by using mussel adhesive protein, an original biomaterial developed in Korea." He added, "Since the spray method allows for easy application to complex organ surfaces, it is expected to serve as a key technology to increase the success rate in the field of xenograft transplantation in the future." This research was supported by the Creative Innovation Program funded by POSCO Holdings and the Mid-career Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT. ▶️ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.114468

Listening to the Body’s Quietest, Yet Most Dynamic Movements

[Prof. Kilwon Cho’s Team Develops a Wearable Vibration Sensor Capable of Accurately Detecting Minute Physiological Vibrations] The human body continuously generates a rich spectrum of vibrations—often without us ever noticing. Everyday unconscious activities such as breathing, speaking, and swallowing all produce subtle yet distinct mechanical signals. Although these faint vibrations carry valuable information about physiological state, they have long been difficult to capture accurately using conventional wearable devices. Recently, a research team led by Professor Kilwon Cho of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Pohang University of Science and Technology, along with Ph.D. candidate Kang Hyuk Cho and postdoctoral researcher Dr. Jeng-Hun Lee, has developed a wearable vibration sensor capable of precisely detecting these subtle yet highly dynamic signals, without requiring any external power source. This breakthrough opens new possibilities for wearable medical and healthcare technologies and demonstrates strong potential as a core sensing platform for next-generation smart devices. The work was published in the inaugural issue of Nature Sensors, a newly launched Nature-family journal, in January 2026. Sounds produced by the human body span a wide range of frequencies. Physiological signals such as breathing, swallowing, and speech typically occur at lower frequencies, while sounds such as coughing or groaning emerge at relatively higher frequencies. Accurately capturing these signals requires precise detection of the minute vibrations transmitted to the skin surface across a broad frequency spectrum. However, existing wearable vibration sensors often lack sufficiently high and uniform sensitivity across this range or depend on external power sources. Moreover, their performance frequently degrades when in contact with skin or sweat, limiting their practicality in real-world wearable applications. To address these challenges, the researchers combined two fundamentally different sensing mechanisms. They integrated a piezoelectric material—which generates electrical charges when subjected to mechanical stress-with a capacitive sensor that detects signals through changes in the distance between electrodes. By using the electricity generated by the piezoelectric component to power the capacitive sensor, the team created a device that is both self-powered and capable of maintaining high, uniform sensitivity across a broad frequency range. The team also introduced an elegant sensor architecture designed to improve air ventilation while maximizing sensor density. Beneath the vibration diaphragm, star-shaped micro-supports are arranged, with a circular diaphragm positioned at the center where the four supports interlock. This structure allows air to flow freely between the supports, preventing trapped air from interfering with the diaphragm’s movement. As a result, sensors can be packed at ultra-high densities without compromising performance. The sensor demonstrated high sensitivity across frequencies ranging from 80 to 5,000 Hz and was able to detect vibrations as small as 0.01 g (gravitational acceleration). When attached to a person’s neck, it successfully captured minute vocal-cord vibrations, enabling accurate recognition of physiological signals such as speech, breathing, and coughing. When mounted on sound-emitting objects, the device precisely measured surface vibrations, functioning much like a high-fidelity contact microphone. These results show that the sensor can reliably detect even extremely faint vibrations that are often missed by conventional technologies. “The vibration sensor we developed can sensitively detect extremely small vibrations across a broad frequency range,” said Professor Kilwon Cho, who led the study. “When attached to the skin, it can accurately capture subtle signals generated by the human body, making it highly promising for wearable healthcare applications. At the same time, by recording vibrations from sound-emitting objects, it can enable high-fidelity sound recording, suggesting strong potential as a thin, flexible, attachable contact microphone,” he added. This research was supported by the Bridge Convergence Research and Development Program and the National Agenda Basic Research Program funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea. ▶️ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44460-025-00003-1

The Extent of Drought Areas Shapes Public Response

[POSTECH, the National Disaster Management Research Institute, and the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements analyze society’s view of disasters using AI] How do people’s attention and actions change when a drought affects the whole country compared to when it is concentrated in one region? A research team led by Professor Jong-Hoon Kam from the Department of Environmental Engineering at POSTECH analyzed news reports, social media posts, and internet search data using artificial intelligence (AI) during the 2022–2023 drought period. The team found that public views of disasters change depending on the size of the problem and its distance from people. The study was recently published online in the international journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. A drought does not happen all at once. It usually starts as a meteorological drought, when rainfall decreases. It then develops into an agricultural drought, when soil dries out, and later to a hydrological drought, when water levels in rivers and reservoirs fall. If these physical droughts last for a long time, they can turn into a socioeconomic drought that affects industry and daily life. As these environmental changes happen step by step, people’s awareness, emotions, and ways of searching for information also change. This idea was the starting point of the study. The research team focused on how a nationwide drought in 2022 became concentrated in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions in 2023. They collected news articles, social media posts, and internet search records created during the drought period and analyzed them using AI based on natural language processing. This allowed them to measure how public interest, emotions, and behavior changed as the scale of the disaster changed. The results showed that in June 2022, when the nationwide drought was at its worst, internet searches, news coverage, and social media posts all reached their highest levels. In contrast, in March 2023, when the drought was mainly limited to the southwestern region of Korea, local news coverage and search activity increased, but social media posts declined relatively. When the drought was a national issue, people spoke more. When it became a regional issue, people mostly just looked for information. An analysis of emotions in news headlines also showed an interesting pattern. Throughout the study period, the emotions of “expectation,” “anxiety,” and “disappointment” appeared repeatedly. People felt hopeful when rain was forecast but felt disappointed when it did not come. This cycle continued throughout the drought period. This shows that media coverage and public emotions are closely connected during disasters. The study suggests that disaster response should go beyond technical solutions to water shortages and consider public awareness and communication. By using big data and AI to understand social reactions in advance, drought warnings, policy messages, and response strategies can be designed more effectively. Professor Kam said, “This study provides a new perspective of drought mitigation because it uses AI to analyze unstructured data like news articles and personal posts to understand social emotions and behavior during disasters.” He added, “The results hints how to improve future drought response and risk communication strategies.” The study was supported by the Disaster and Safety Joint Research and Development Program of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of Korea. ▶️ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-06398-z

AI Learns to Perform Analog Layout Design

[POSTECH researchers demonstrate a foundation model for automating analog circuit layout design] Researchers at POSTECH have developed an artificial intelligence approach that addresses a key bottleneck in analog semiconductor layout design, a process that has traditionally depended heavily on engineers’ experience. The work was recently published in IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I (TCAS-I), an international journal in the circuits and systems field. Semiconductors are used in a wide range of technologies, including smartphones, vehicles, and AI servers. However, analog layout design remains difficult to automate because designers must manually arrange structures that dertermine performance and reliability while meeting a large number of design rules. Automation has been especially challenging in analog design because layouts are too complex and design strategies differ significantly by circuit. In addition, training data is scarce, since layout data is typically treated as proprietary and is rarely shared outside companies. The POSTECH team, led by Professor Byungsub Kim in the Department of Electrical Engineering, focused on the “foundation model” approach. A foundation model is first pre-trained on large-scale data and can then be adapted to different downstream tasks with relatively little additional training. The researchers applied this concept to analog layout design. The key method is self-supervised learning, in which the model learns without human-provided labels. The team divided analog layouts1) into small patches, masked part of each layout, and trained the model to predict the missing layout elements. Using this procedure, the researchers generated about 320,000 training samples from six real layout datasets. After pre-training, the model learned repeated structures and patterns commonly found in analog layouts. With limited additional data, it was then adapted to five layout-related tasks: contact generation, via generation, dummy pattern insertion, N-well generation, and metal routing. In experiments, 96.6% of the generated layouts reportedly passed both design-rule checking and layout versus schematic verification. The team also reported that comparable performance was achieved using one-eighth of the data required by conventional approaches. The study suggests that a single foundation model can be leveraged for multiple analog layout tasks, reducing the need to build a separate model for each task. The researchers said the approach could reduce design workload and shorten development time, improving productivity in semiconductor design. “This work meaningfully expands the practical feasibility of automating analog semiconductor layout design, which has been constrained by data scarcity,” Professor Kim said. First author Sungyu Jeong said, “The main contribution of this work is the methodology that enables large-scale learning.” He added, “Our goal is to collect more data and continue developing the foundation model to a practically usable level”. The study was conducted by Professor Kim, Ph.D. candidate Sungyu Jeong, Wonjun Choi, and Junwoong Choi, and master’s graduate Anik Biswas (currently at Samsung Electronics). The project received support from Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), and the BK21 Education and Research Program. ▶️ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TCSI.2025.3615646 1. Analog layout: The physical geometry (patterns) used to implement an analog circuit on a semiconductor chip.

Upcycling genes: New platform breathes life into underperforming genetic parts

[Professor Jongmin Kim’s research team at POSTECH develops ‘SUPER’ platform, significantly enhancing the performance and stability of gene regulatory devices] A research team led by Professor Jongmin Kim of the Department of Life Sciences at POSTECH, along with graduate students Taeyang Heo, Dongwon Park, and Woosub Shin, has developed the 'SUPER (Synthetic Upcycling Platform for Engineering Regulators)' platform, which dramatically enhances the performance and stability of gene regulatory devices. This research was recently published in Advanced Science, an international peer-reviewed journal. Synthetic biology utilizes genetic components as programmable building blocks to endow cells with new functions. As such, synthetic biology is poised to revolutionize bioengineering and biotechnology in addressing future challenges. The adoption of synthetic genetic switches that control genes 'ON' and 'OFF' is accelerating due to the advantages of compact and modular architecture and strong performance for developing next-generation biosensors, cell-based therapeutics, and biofactories. Still, a critical challenge remains for these synthetic genetic switches where the ‘OFF’ state is not really OFF at the molecular level. Much like a dripping faucet even when completely turned off, genetic switches continue to express at low levels even in the 'OFF' state—a phenomenon known as 'leakage.' Although it may look harmless on the surface, this small leakage can accumulate over time, place a long-term metabolic burden on cells, and compromise circuit stability, ultimately requiring a complete overhaul of the system. To address this challenge, the team developed ‘SUPER’, a platform technology that utilizes synthetic small RNAs1) as add-on controllers for genetic switches. This principle is analogous to inserting an extra gasket into a leaky faucet to restore its function. The key advantage of ‘SUPER’ is to bypass engineering target devices altogether, yet still achieve dramatically enhanced functionality by simple add-on controllers. When enhanced with the SUPER platform, natural and synthetic genetic switches showed performance improvements of up to 1,011% with a tunable dynamic range2)—the ability to distinguish between ON and OFF signals—up to 22,000-fold. These performance metrics could be easily adjusted by small RNAs in the SUPER platform, thereby enabling flexible, context-dependent regulation of synthetic genetic switches. Building on this foundational technology, the team also demonstrated dramatic improvement in cellular 'kill switches'—safety mechanisms designed to prevent unintended spread of engineered organisms in gene therapy and bioprocessing. Previously, kill switch circuits often suffered from residual leaky expression that could lead to loss of functional circuits and the emergence of resistance in cells. Kill switches enhanced with SUPER remained stable for over 30 days in engineered cells, with the ability to integrate environmental signals such as chemical inputs and temperature. Professor Jongmin Kim stated, "SUPER is an upcycling technology that enhances both the performance and stability of existing genetic components without changing those components." He added, "With SUPER, we anticipate that a wide array of genetic parts that were previously overlooked could be put to use for broad application areas including live biotherapeutics and biomanufacturing“. This research was supported by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the Gyeongsangbuk-do and Pohang City Synthetic Biology Support Program, the Ministry of Education BK21 FOUR Program, Gyeongbuk Technopark, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture and Forestry, the Korea Basic Science Institute, and the National Research Foundation of Korea. ▶️ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202514653 1. small RNA: Short RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but regulate the expression of other genes. In this study, they were utilized as an 'auxiliary brake' for genetic switches. 2. Dynamic Range: A metric indicating the difference in expression levels between the 'ON' and 'OFF' states of a genetic switch. A wider dynamic range enables more precise signal discrimination.

Gut microbe–derived butyrate activates immune cells to enhance vaccine efficacy

[POSTECH and ImmunoBiome researchers uncover a novel microbiota-Tfh cell axis to enhance antibody production and mucosal vaccine efficiency] A research team from POSTECH and ImmunoBiome in Korea, led by Professor Sin-Hyeog Im, has uncovered a new mechanism showing how butyrate—a short-chain fatty acid produced by gut commensal bacteria—enhances T follicular helper (Tfh1)) cell activity to promote antibody production and strengthen mucosal vaccine efficacy. This study identifies a new microbiota–immune–antibody production axis linking microbial metabolism to mucosal immune responses, providing a strategy to maximize the protective effects of mucosal vaccines. The findings were recently published in the international journal Microbiome. Mucosal vaccines and the challenge they face Mucosal vaccines are gaining attention as a next-generation vaccination approach because they can be administered non-invasively and elicit immune responses directly at mucosal surfaces, such as the gut or respiratory tract—common sites of infection. However, their development has been hampered by several challenges: antigens must survive harsh gastric conditions, penetrate mucus barriers, and overcome the intestine’s tolerogenic environment. Consequently, these vaccines often require high antigen doses, potent adjuvants, or complex delivery systems, raising concerns about safety and cost. The present study provides a novel solution by demonstrating that butyrate, a naturally occurring microbial metabolite, acts as an innate adjuvant2) that enhances mucosal vaccine responses safely and effectively. Key findings: a microbiota-Tfh-lgA axis Although the gut microbiota is known to play a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis, its influence on mucosal antibody responses has remained unclear. The POSTECH-ImmunoBiome team discovered that Peyer’s patch–derived Tfh cells in the small intestine have a much stronger ability to induce IgA antibody production than splenic Tfh cells. When antibiotic treatment (neomycin) depleted specific bacterial groups, both fecal IgA levels and Tfh cell frequencies declined significantly; these effects were restored following fecal microbiota transplantation. Further analysis identified Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, major butyrate-producing taxa, as key microbial drivers sustaining the Tfh–IgA axis. Mechanistic studies revealed that butyrate promotes Tfh differentiation and IgA⁺ germinal center B cell formation, thereby boosting mucosal IgA production. Administration of tributyrin, a butyrate prodrug, significantly enhanced IgA responses and protection against Salmonella Typhimurium infection, reducing both infection rates and tissue damage. This effect was abolished in GPR43-deficient cells, confirming that the butyrate–GPR43 signaling pathway mediates Tfh activation and IgA induction. Implications This study demonstrates that butyrate, a metabolite produced by gut microbes, establishes a new microbiota–Tfh–IgA axis, linking commensal metabolism to antibody-mediated mucosal defense. These results highlight the crucial role of gut environment regulation in controlling infections and enhancing vaccine responses. Professor Sin-Hyeog Im (POSTECH and CEO of ImmunoBiome, Inc.) stated, “Our findings reveal that gut microbes are not just passive residents but active modulators of the immune system. Microbial metabolites can directly enhance the function of immune cells essential for antibody production and vaccine efficacy. This discovery opens new avenues for developing microbiota-based adjuvants and next-generation mucosal vaccines.” About ImmunoBiome ImmunoBiome is a leading biotech company in Korea, focusing on developing Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs) for difficult-to-treat diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Using its proprietary Avatiome™ platform, ImmunoBiome selectively identifies and develops pharmacologically active bacterial strains, studies their immune mechanisms, and creates therapeutic pipelines based on microbial-derived molecules. The company maintains an extensive database of human commensal bacteria collected from mucosal surfaces and works closely with POSTECH and international research partners. By combining AI-driven analytics, immune profiling, and microbiome science, ImmunoBiome is advancing precision microbiome-based therapies and consumer products designed to influence host health through the gut–immune axis. Funding This research was conducted in close collaboration between POSTECH and ImmunoBiome, Inc. The study was supported by ImmunoBiome, the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Institute for Basic Science (IBS). ▶️ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-025-02284-7 1. Tfh (T follicular helper cell): A subset of helper T cells that support B cell activation and antibody production, playing a key role in maintaining antibody responses and regulating immune reactions related to vaccines and autoimmunity. 2. Adjuvant: A component added to vaccines to enhance immune responses and promote antibody production, thereby improving vaccine efficacy.