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🇰🇷 South Korea /Health & Science

Kyung Hee University Team Selected for Quantum Sensing Early-Diagnosis Research Project

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Press release Official statement New plan
  • A Kyung Hee University research team won a new project under South Korea’s ARPA-H-style program for highly sensitive, early diagnosis using quantum sensing.
  • The consortium will combine molecular quantum nanosensors with heart organoids and an organ-on-chip platform to measure subtle biological signals.
  • The government will provide about 8 billion won over 4.5 years, with participating institutions pursuing practical applications of the technology.

A Kyung Hee University research team has been selected for a South Korean national project that aims to detect disease risks before they become clinically visible.

The team, led by Professor Son Seok-gyun of the university’s Department of Physics, will develop highly sensitive early-diagnosis technology based on quantum sensing. The project will combine biocompatible Molecular Quantum Nanosensors with a heart-organoid Organ-on-Chip platform.

Researchers plan to measure extremely small biological signals that existing medical devices may struggle to detect. They will begin by studying cardiotoxicity caused by anticancer drugs, along with changes in intracellular oxidative stress, local temperature and metabolic activity. The goal is to identify early warning signals before disease develops.

This research aims not merely to develop a new quantum sensor, but to present a new medical paradigm that predicts disease risk by identifying extremely subtle biological signals before disease manifests clinically.

— Professor Son Seok-gyunSon described the project’s objective beyond sensor development.

Kyung Hee University will lead the project with Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Chosun University, the Korea Electronics Technology Institute, LCI Bio and Korea University. The institutions will divide work on quantum sensors, heart-organoid disease models, biological validation, artificial intelligence analysis, sensor integration and commercialization.

Son said the project aims to move beyond diagnosing established biomarkers by identifying subtle biological signals before clinical symptoms appear. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will support the research through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute’s K-Health Future Initiative. Government funding totals about 8 billion won, and the joint research will run for 4.5 years.

We will secure next-generation foundational quantum medical technology by combining Kyung Hee University’s quantum technology with its medical and biotechnology research capabilities, and lay the foundation for South Korea to lead the quantum medicine field.

— Professor Son Seok-gyunSon discussed the project’s broader research and national ambitions.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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