S8 Frontiers of Functional Polymers in Biology and Medicine
Biological and biomedical polymers are emerging as essential materials at the interface of chemistry, materials science, and medicine. From naturally derived biopolymers to synthetically engineered polymeric systems, these materials provide versatile platforms for controlling cellular microenvironments, delivering therapeutic molecules, and developing advanced diagnostics. This session will highlight recent advances in functional polymers and biohybrid systems, hydrogel matrices for stem cell engineering and regenerative medicine, as well as polymer-based interfaces for bioelectronics and targeted therapy. By featuring pioneering contributions from leading researchers worldwide, the session will illustrate how polymer is driving innovation in healthcare and shaping the future of human well-being.
Topics will include:
- Polymeric Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine
- Functional Polymers and Biohybrids for Therapeutics and Diagnostics
- Emerging Interfaces: Polymers, Cells, and Bioelectronics
Keynote Speakers:
- Tanja Weil (MPI for Polymer Research, Germany)
- Andreas Herrmann (RWTH Aachen University, Germany)
- Hyunjoon Kong (UIUC, US)
- Dong-Hyun Kim (Northwestern Uiversity, US)
- Maria Pereira (Tissium, France)
- Sarah Heilshorn (Stanford University, US)
- Molly Stevens (Oxford University, England)
Invited Speakers:
- Asako Yamayoshi (Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan)
- Kai Wang (Peking University, China)
- Danqing Bonnie Zhu (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong)
- Sang Jin Lee (The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Symposium Organizers
Minseok Kwak
Pukyong National University
Korea
mkwak@pukyong.ac.kr
Hwan Drew Kim
Seoul National University of Science and Technology
Korea
hwankim@seoultech.ac.kr
Hyejeong Seong
Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
Korea
h.seong@kist.re.kr
Jieung Baek
Ewha Womans University
Korea
jieungbaek@ewha.ac.kr

