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:
- Hyunjoon KONG (UIUC, US)
- Andreas HERRMANN (RWTH Aachen University, Germany)
- Dong-Hyun KIM (Northwestern Uiversity, US)
- Dongsheng LIU (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)
- Igor LACÍK (Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), Slovakia)
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)
- Jiashing YU (National Taiwan University, Taiwan)
- Ik Sung CHO (Kyushu University, Japan)
- Jina KO (University of Pennsylvania, USA)
Symposium Organizers
Minseok KWAK
Pukyong National University
Republic of Korea
mkwak@pukyong.ac.kr
Hwan Drew KIM
Seoul National University of Science and Technology
Republic of Korea
hwankim@seoultech.ac.kr
Hyejeong SEONG
Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
Republic of Korea
h.seong@kist.re.kr
Jieung BAEK
Ewha Womans University
Republic of Korea
jieungbaek@ewha.ac.kr

