Professor Jo Kyubong of Department of Chemistry Selected for Samsung Science & Technology Foundation Fund Grant Program for the first half of 2021
The research project of Professor Jo kyubong of the Department of Chemistry was selected the SSTF Fund Grant Program (in Novel Materials) for the first half of 2021.
On April 5, Samsung
Electronics announced 27 research projects (13 in basic science, seven in novel
materials and seven in ICT) to be supported with a total of KRW 46.4 billion in
research funds from the first half of 2021 through the SSTF Fund Grant Program.
▲ Unresolved part of the human genome map (22 pairs of autosomes
and X, Y sex chromosomes)
The Human Genome Project ended in 2004, but 4.9% of the human genome
map is still incomplete. In particular, in the case of the Y chromosome, more
than 54% have not yet been identified, as the technology developed so far
cannot solve this problem. As a solution, Professor Jo proposed a method of
obtaining sequence information by observing long DNA with a scanning electron
microscope, which completely differs from the conventional DNA analysis method.
This project, which has now been awarded with a grant, will enable researchers
to complete the Y chromosome map as well as the remaining 4.9% of the human
genome map, based on which the field of personalized genetic medicine is
expected to develop further.
Professor Jo said, “This research project was made possible because of the great help of Professor Lim Kwang-il of the Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering at Sookmyung Women's University, Professor Lee Jung-heon of the School of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, and Professor Shim Sang-hee of the Department of Chemistry at Korea University. By combining their diverse skills and expertise, this group of researchers was able to produce new ideas.” He added, "My proposal when applying for a professorship at Sogang University already included the research on revealing the Y chromosome. After 15 years, I am deeply moved to receive both the opportunity to implement it and the research funds needed for the project."
