About us
Research centers
Biotechnology Research Center
In May 1990, Biotechnology Research Center was established as an affiliated research institute to promote biotechnology research based on basic life sciences. The establishment was expected to contribute to the development of BT-related industries in Korea as well as financial independence of universities.
The institution started with the four purposes.
Jointly founded with POSCO in 2000, the Postech Biotech Center is a dedicated biotechnology research organization that is committed to helping develop industries and human welfare of our country with its outstanding researchers and technologies.
Based on its stable biotechnology research infrastructure model, the Postech Biotech Center strives to vitalize the development of source technologies that are essential for developing new drugs. We are also committed to actively participating in cutting-edge convergence technology industries, the government’s strategy for a new growth driver and a key technology for future industry, to help create high added-values and high-skilled people as well as to make POSTECH one of the top research universities in the world with its vision 2020.
Institute of Membrane Proteins (IMP)
The Institute of Membrane Proteins, as a research center that specializes in structural characterization research, has a high-performance electron microscope and antibody development facilities and operates dedicated research personnel to identify high-resolution three-dimensional structures of new drug target cell membrane proteins, and aims to develop new drug source technologies by studying activation mechanisms.
Bio Open Innovation Center (BOIC)
An industry-academia-research collaboration platform established by POSCO, POSTECH, and Genexine and led by local governments (Gyeongbuk / Pohang), to build an accelerator-based new drug development base.
International Center for Metabolic Disorders (ICMD)
It was established in 2012 based on research collaboration with excellent researchers at POSTECH and the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, a world-class research institute in the field of metabolic disease research.
We are conducting basic research to develop causes and treatments for metabolic diseases, which are rapidly increasing in recent years, and are making efforts to value research results in a short period of time.
Neurobiology Research Laboratory
The Neurobiology Research Laboratory is to investigate synaptic plasticity occurring for learning & memory, and neural circuits for fear and reward.
We aim to elucidate fear neural networks in amygdala and the connected brain areas and provide neurobiological principles of drug addiction through electrophysiological observation and behavior control using optogenetics.
In a long run, we are trying to propose the principles to develop better interventions to neuropsychiatric disorders such as PTSD and autism.
Membrane Protein Research Center (MPRC)
Membrane Protein Research Group utilizes 4th-generation synchrotron radiation accelerator to develop new membrane protein crystallization method while securing the best competitiveness in the field of membrane protein structure. We will have a technical advantage in discovery and development of leading substances in new drugs.
We have already used the 3rd generation synchrotron radiation accelerator to identify the structures of various diseases. Based on this experience, we will contribute to the development of unique original drug technologies of our country by exploring the membrane protein structure using the 4th generation synchrotron radiation accelerator.
Organelle Network Research Center (ONRC)
Organelle Network Research Center (ONRC) was established on June 1st, 2017 as the Science Research Center (SRC) project, which is funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of the Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea. Our major mission is to advance scientific discovery as well as to develop the treatment options for various human diseases. To this end, ONRC brings together more than 100 scientists around the country, supports novel research, and implements collaborative academic endeavor.
In ONRC, our scientists aim to understand how intracellular organelles interact, providing the basic principles of biological regulation through functional networks of organelles, in particular, between mitochondria and other organelles.
Center for DNA damage signaling
We have previously demonstrated that role of DNA repair enzyme is not merely binds to broken DNA and repair the damage, but signaling to cell cycle or vice versa is important role for mammalian repair. In particular, we are aiming to decipher the mechanism of the maintenance of genomic stability by tumor suppressor proteins and to understand the process of DNA damage signaling pathway. These studies are based on the fields such as structural biology, biochemistry and molecular biology including the tools such as X-ray crystallography and Cryo-EM. Ultimately, these studies will lead to develop anti-cancer drugs. We collaborate with other world-wide group to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the research.
Functional Genomics Center
It is expected that there would be thousands to tens of thousands of genes in biological organisms, and they will be revealed as a result of genome research. It is only a small part of them about which scientists know the function, and a majority part of them have to be identified in the future.
Functional analysis of the genes will yield essential knowledge for removing the mysteries of nature and could be applied to medicine and agriculture.Genome research in Korea still in its early stage and functional genomics is insufficient. Hence, we will dedicate our time to the growth and development of core technologies of life sciences, producing excellent researchers.
Brain Research Center
Despite remarkable developments of brain science, many functions of the brain remain mysterious, so it is said to be the last frontier of science and technology, called the promising field. Brain Research Center in POSTECH(referred to as “Center”) was established in September under the following purposes. Vitalizing brain research groups and joint research Becoming a central research center for brain-related research in Korea and abroad Increasing research capacity through understating other brain research and cooperation of research groups; Contributing to national brain research policy establishment.
Biological Research Information Center (BRIC)
The Center for Biological Research Information (hereinafter referred to as "Center") is a research center affiliated with POSTECH that stores and shares research information on biology, study for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and biomedical research.
In 1995, When Korea Science and Engineering Foundation selected research information centers in 12 science fields, and this center was chosen and established in October of the same year.
The Web service (www.ibric.org) was launched on May 1, 1996 under the name of 'BRIC', which is now a well-known site among the general public who are interested in the field of life sciences.
The BRIC homepage provides four kinds of information, including the latest news from domestic and overseas life sciences, biotech scientists and their researches, academic scientific conferences, recruitment and job search information, research funding support, etc.
Finally, scientists can freely write in the community to ask and answer questions. In addition, there are VOD, experiment Q & A, surveys, and species information service for conferences and seminars.
Center for Biomolecular Capture Technology
Center for Biomolecular Capture Technology at POSTECH provides new supporting program for fresh Ph.D. in Science and Engineering (Post Doc.), which will help fresh Ph.D. to experience advanced research and high-tech industries for innovation capabilities.
This will support growth paths for advancing into the industry and creating a Post Doc.-led research culture.
This program aims to produce world-class Bio Leaders. Center for Biomolecular Capture Technology at POSTECH provides new supporting program for fresh Ph.D. in Science and Engineering (Post Doc.),
which will help fresh Ph.D. to experience advanced research and high-tech industries for innovation capabilities. This will support growth paths for advancing into the industry and creating a Post Doc.-led research culture.
Global Research Institute for Exosome (GRIE)
Global Research Institute for Exosome (GRIE) aims to integrate and strengthen research capabilities in the exosome field at a global level, as well as to develop and diffuse innovative technology. GRIE also aims to establish a base where industries, universities, research institutes, and hospitals can collaborate with each other to conduct cooperation research and development in the exosome field. In addition, GRIE aims to support to continuously train human resources in the exosome field. Through this, GRIE will contribute to strengthen the competitiveness of bio-industry, to create academic achievements in the state-of-the art bio-field, and to training excellent human resources.
Innovation Research Center for Bio-future Technology (B-IRC)
Innovation Research Center for Bio-future Technology (B-IRC) aims to develop source technology of novel gene and cell therapy by engineering biological membranes. To overcome the limitations of gene and cell therapy, we will develop technologies to engineer biological membranes and organelles, to deliver membranes ex-vivo and in-vivo. Through these technologies, we aims to secure pipelines of novel gene and cell therapy as well as to develop and supply advanced elemental technologies to treat immunological diseases, cancers, and central nervous system diseases.
The Innovation Research Center (IRC) project is a new project established 2023 by the Ministry of Science and ICT to lay the foundation for world-class research in the field of national strategic technology. POSTECH is the only one selected in the field of advanced bio (gene and cell therapy) and will receive support for 10 years until 2033.