Kookmin University Team to Lead National Project on Advanced Bio-materials

Kookmin University's Department of Convergence Bio-engineering, led by Professor Park Yong-chul, will spearhead a significant national research and development initiative. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has selected the university to lead a new project under the 'Bio-industry Technology Development' sector of its '2026 Bio-health R&D Program'.

The initiative, titled 'Establishment of a Support System for Manufacturing and Commercializing High-Value and High-Functionality Bio-materials Based on Ultra-fast Microbial Processes,' is set to run until 2030. Kookmin University will serve as the lead institution for the 'Advanced Bio-new Materials' field. The project aims to develop mass production and commercialization technologies for key bio-materials, including microbial-derived exosomes, high-purity vitamins, and microbial lutein.

This large-scale project boasts a total budget of 22.2 billion won, comprising 15.9 billion won in government funding and 6.3 billion won in institutional contributions. It will involve a total of 17 companies and institutions, structured into one lead project and three sub-projects. Bio-FD&C will lead the development of multifunctional beauty materials from microbial exosomes, Ace Biopharm will focus on high-purity vitamins, and Daebong LS will spearhead the development of microbial lutein production processes.

Professor Park Yong-chul, the project leader, emphasized the collaborative nature of the endeavor. "This project is a large-scale R&D undertaking involving 17 companies and institutions, linking the production of high-functionality bio-materials to their commercialization," he stated. "We will develop technologies to support the mass production and industrialization of advanced bio-new materials based on synthetic biology, bio-foundry, and precision fermentation technologies."

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This project is a large-scale R&D undertaking involving 17 companies and institutions, linking the production of high-functionality bio-materials to their commercialization. We will develop technologies to support the mass production and industrialization of advanced bio-new materials based on synthetic biology, bio-foundry, and precision fermentation technologies.