Korea University · Materials Science
Professor Mi-Ran Ki's research lab specializes in regenerative medicine and biomaterials science, with a focus on developing advanced nanoengineered biomaterials—particularly silica-based systems—for tissue repair and regeneration. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of bacterial virulence factors, such as *Helicobacter pylori* VacA, in host cell apoptosis and explores the therapeutic potential of probiotic strains like *Lactobacillus paraplantarum* KNUC25 in combating gastric pathogens. Additionally, the lab integrates biological cues with synthetic materials to design smart, biomimetic wound dressings and drug delivery systems that respond to physiological signals, including circadian rhythms and extracellular matrix dynamics. Their work bridges microbiology, nanotechnology, and translational medicine to create innovative solutions for chronic diseases and tissue repair.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Helicobacter pylori vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) has been considered as an apoptosis-inducing factor. Here, we investigated the mechanism of VacA-induced apoptosis in relation to the defense mechanism and MAP kinases pathway in gastric epithelial cells. AGS cells exposed to enriched VacA extracts affected the level of SOD-1 and villin. We further investigated the role of VacA in those inductions using a functional recombinant VacA (rVacA). Activation of p38 MAPK and Bax dimerization by rVacA w
Biomimetic materials have become a promising alternative in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to address critical challenges in wound healing and skin regeneration. Skin-mimetic materials have enormous potential to improve wound healing outcomes and enable innovative diagnostic and sensor applications. Human skin, with its complex structure and diverse functions, serves as an excellent model for designing biomaterials. Creating effective wound coverings requires mimicking
Lactobacillus paraplantarum KNUC25 strain was isolated from overfermented kimchi, a Korean traditional food. The strain had a broad antimicrobial activity spectrum, from gram-positive to gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of L. paraplantarum KNUC25 against Helicobacter pylori strains. Judged by a disc agar diffusion method, the anti-H. pylori activity existed in the cell-free supernatants (CFSs) of KNUC25. The mean diameters of growth inhibition by 10, 30,
Aging is a multifaceted process influenced by hereditary factors, lifestyle, and environmental elements. As time progresses, the human body experiences degenerative changes in major functions. The external and internal signs of aging manifest in various ways, including skin dryness, wrinkles, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Additionally, cancer, like aging, is a complex disease that arises from the accumulation of various gen
The paradigm of regenerative medicine is undergoing a transformative shift with the emergence of nanoengineered silica-based biomaterials. Their unique confluence of biocompatibility, precisely tunable porosity, and the ability to modulate cellular behavior at the molecular level makes them highly desirable for diverse tissue repair and regeneration applications. Advancements in nanoengineered silica synthesis and functionalization techniques have yielded a new generation of versatile biomateria
The combined use of an osteogenic factor, such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), with a bone scaffold was quite functional for the reconstruction of bone defects. Although many studies using BMP2 have been done, there is still a need to develop an efficient way to apply BMP2 in the bone scaffold. Here, we reported an interesting fact that BMP2 has a silica deposition ability in the presence of silicic acid and proposed that such an ability of BMP2 can effectively immobilize and transport i
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