IN CELEBRATION of Yonsei’s Institute for Basic Science Center for NanoMedicine’s (IBS CNM) fifth anniversary, The Yonsei Annals conducted interviews with a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specialist, two students, and a professor, asking them about their work and their hopes for the institution’s future. IBS is an ambitious institution that supports a diverse pool of researchers in the promising field of Nano biomedical engineering.

Yu Byung-kyu, TEM specialist (Yonsei University Advanced Science Institute)

Annals: Could you briefly explain your work as TEM specialist at IBS CNM?

Yu: IBS CNM conducts many integrated studies via individual research in nano-scientific areas such as nanomaterials, biology, devices, and others. Most of this research requires TEM analysis, in which the shape, structure, and microscopic constructions of ultrathin specimens are analyzed. I am responsible for everything related to TEM, from creating the sample, making observations while using TEM equipment, analyzing/interpreting obtained data, to writing articles.

Annals: What was your proudest moment as a TEM specialist?

Yu: I feel proud that I majored in TEM when I make analyses that were previously undiscovered or impossible for others. A particular moment of pride was when I completed a well-researched paper on TEM analysis of a matter called Dextran. Dextran is a very small sample of 5-10nm, so TEM had to be used to identify Iron oxide nanoparticles stacked in the shape of shells. I had to analyze Dextran’s distribution of Iron Oxide in addition to using EF (Energy Filtered) TEM analysis to analyze the sample’s composition. I went through dozens of trials that started from sample preparation to EF-TEM analysis to obtain just a single sheet of TEM analysis results. But after several arduous weeks, I was able to obtain good data, and recently published a paper about the analysis in a celebrated journal called Nature Biomedical Engineering.

Annals: What projects are you focusing on now?

Yu: Recently, I am going beyond standard TEM to attempt Cryo-TEM analysis. It’s related to our research group’s key research area of rendering bioimaging. We rapid freeze biological samples at -196 ºC, and then attach the finished sample to our new Cryo-Holder equipment to perform TEM analysis. For this analysis, the sample must be kept at -196 ºC for an extended amount of time. So, we are now able to analyze biological samples or 2D materials of single-atom layers we previously couldn’t analyze for fear of destroying them with electron beams. We are currently working on implementing high magnification TEM imaging of biomass tissue and identifying the distribution of nanoparticles scattered across certain parts of a sample. We’re going through a lot of trial and error, but I’m certain we will soon achieve good results.

Ahn Min-ji (5th sem., IBS Integrated Masters and Doctoral Track)

Annals: How has been your experience studying at IBS CNM? What has been the biggest advantage of this program?

Ahn: I have been researching mechanobiology, specifically by synthesizing a pressure-sensitive probe using magnetic nanoparticles and hydrogels. The biggest advantage of research at IBS is undoubtedly the variety of its students, researchers, and doctors. The mere physical proximity allows you to be more comfortable asking people in other fields for advice.

   I have also benefitted from IBS’ robust collaboration with famous professors from foreign universities such as Caltech, University of California, and MIT. I have been lucky enough to work with Professor Jeon Young-wook from UC at San Francisco (UCSF); he has helped me broaden my area of research extensively.

Annals: To which students would you recommend IBS CNM?

Ahn: Of course, students who are interested in using nanomaterials in biosystems and medical areas would find IBS’ program and research rewarding. Students seeking broader research experience and are majoring in majors such as, but not limited to, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, and Biology—can join as IBS is such a diverse and integrated research center.

Annals: What was the most memorable event during your study at IBS CNM?

Ahn: The most memorable event was the American Chemical Society (ACS) conference hosted by IBS. The best professors from all over the world in nanotechnology gathered to give lectures, and it was very meaningful and informative to hear the lectures of famous professors whom I had only read in papers. The conference also gave me more pride in our lab and more enthusiasm for my own research.

Park Man-soo (Ph.D., Yonsei University IBS CNM)

Annals: What is your current area of research?

Park: Currently, I am researching the “Molecular Drilling approach for two-dimensional transition metal chalcogenides (2D TMCs) nanostructure.” This approach would create nanoholes of desired size and density on the surfaces of two-dimensional transition metal chalcogenide nanostructures to activate the material’s surface. I am also researching how to apply this technology to areas of nanofilters and energy storage, such as DNA sequencing and desalinization.

Annals: What was the most memorable event during your period of study at IBS CNM?

Park: The team science research program SFY (Science Factory @Yonsei) conducted for undergraduate students every vacation remains with me the most. In the past three terms, I was a Quantum Dot Nanoscience team mentor; I had many experiments and heated brainstorming discussions with mentees from different disciplines. I also learn a lot from my mentees as they developed from novices to experiments to proficient researchers by the end of SFY.
Recently, the first and second ever participants of SFY mentees are becoming freshmen at IBS CNM, and are participating in projects as equal researchers. The students kept me from losing motivation during my Ph.D. program, so SFY was a very helpful and memorable program.

Annals: How is your experience studying at IBS CNM?

Park: The scientific problems we face today are complex and diverse, making it difficult to solve these problems with one kind of scientific technology. Scientists from various fields must combine and research different areas of study in order to accomplish new achievements and spearhead scientific research. IBS CNM is doing just that under its motto of “Center Without Barriers (CWB).” Talented scientists from physics, chemistry, biology, optics, materials science, and other fields gather to promote scientific diversity and create new scientific discoveries in various fields of research.

   As I majored in physics and materials science, I lack knowledge in other fields compared to others. However, in the process of interdisciplinary research with researchers of other fields at IBS CNM, I was able to supplement my shortcomings, identify fundamental principles through new approaches, and practice problem-solving in research. I believe such experiences are only possible at IBS CNM.

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A statement from the Director of IBS CNM, H.G. Underwood Professor Jinwoo Cheon

   IBS CNM, founded in 2015. will celebrate its 5th year anniversary this December. We aim to support our researchers and students with state-of-the-art infrastructures and environments for their research. IBS CNM also hosts numerous events and international conferences hoping to stimulate our culture for science. We are currently running a graduate program of Nano Biomedical Engineering (Nano BME) and conducting interdisciplinary research across nanoscience and medicine in pursuit of the best possible research and education. Ultimately, we strive to be the world’s leading research center for nanomedicine and nanotechnology for a century to come.