Graduate School of
Health Science and Technology 

Abstract Regulatory T (Treg) cells play vital roles in immune homeostasis and response, including discrimination between self- and non-self-antigens, containment of immunopathology, and inflammation resolution. These diverse functions are orchestrated by cellular circuits involving Tregs and other cell types across space and time. Despite dramatic progress in our understanding of Treg biology, a quantitative framework capturing how Treg-containing circuits give rise to these diverse functions is lacking. Here, we propose that different facets of Treg function can be interpreted as distinct operating regimes of the same underlying circuit. We discuss how a systems immunology approach, involving quantitative experiments, computational modeling, and machine learning, can advance our understanding of Treg function, and help identify general operating and design principles underlying immune regulation. A groundbreaking study, led by Professor Kyemyung Park and his research team in the Graduate School of Health Science and Technology and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNIST has shed light on the intricate mechanism behind the immune system's ability to differentiate between self and non-self antigens. Their research, published in the esteemed journal Trends in Immunology, presents a novel quantitative framework that could pave the way for predictive models in immune-related disease treatment response. The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that defends our bodies against pathogens while also preventing autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells and tissues, due to the recognition of self-antigens by self-reactive T cells. Although the existence of self-reactive T cells and their response to autoantigens has been observed, the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of self-tolerance have remained elusive. In this study, the research team employed a multiscale systems biology and nonlinear dynamics approach to shed light on this intricate mechanism. By integrating individually published experimental findings, they proposed a novel concept called, the "Symmetry breaking between self- and non-self-antigens." According to this concept, continuous activation of self-reactive T cells is essential for maintaining equilibrium and self-tolerance through the activation of regulatory T cells, rather than promoting autoimmune diseases. The research team identified a threshold that maximizes the immune response of self-reactive T cells. Normally, self-reactive T cells are kept below this threshold through the selective action of regulatory T cells, while T cells responding to external antigens can surpass this threshold, leading to a normal immune response. Figure 1. Illustration of how phase portraits corresponding to the dynamics of the Treg–Tconv interplay in different biological contexts can be helpful in understanding Treg behavior and function across contexts. Professor Park highlighted the significance of their multiscale systems biology approach, stating, "By considering the interactions between cells, the dynamics occurring within the cells, and the spatial movement of cells, we were able to derive new perspectives that could not be obtained from individual experimental results." This research, conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Yale Medical School, received support from various organizations, including the Ulsan Institute of Science and Technology, the Institute of Basic Science, the Korea Research Foundation, and the National Institute of Health (NIH). The implications of this study are far-reaching, as it opens up new possibilities for predictive models in immune-related disease treatment response. With the rapid accumulation of immunological knowledge and related omics data, Professor Park envisions an era of precision medicine. Through the integration of systemic immunology, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence, complex immunological phenomena can be better understood and the immune system can be precisely controlled, leading to improved treatments and personalized approaches. This groundbreaking research marks a significant step forward in immunology and sets the stage for future advancements in the field. As the understanding of the immune system continues to deepen, the potential for transformative breakthroughs in disease treatment and prevention becomes increasingly promising. Their findings have been published in the online version of the journal, Trends in Immunology on September 8, 2023. Journal Reference Shubham Tripathi, John S. Tsang, and Kyemyung Park, "Systems immunology of regulatory T cells: can one circuit explain it all?," Trends Immunol., (2023).

UNIST has taken a significant step towards combating women's cancer on the African continent by signing an MOU with Eswatini Medical Christian University (EMCU) on June 28, 2023. The primary purpose of this partnership is to enhance cooperation in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer, marking the beginning of a promising initiative. Under this agreement, UNIST will lead research and development efforts in cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment technologies, while EMCU will provide a clinical test bed for these advancements. The ultimate goal for UNIST is to expand similar projects throughout sub-Saharan Africa. This region faces a high burden of cervical cancer, with 18 out of the top 20 countries worldwide with highest prevalence rates concentrated there according to WHO 2018 statistics. Notably, Eswatini serves as the starting point for this project due to its alarming prevalence rate. The signing ceremony took place at UNIST headquarters and was attended by officials from both organizations. The agreement was officially signed between by Director Sung Chul Bae of UNIST Graduate School of Health Science and Technology and President Seung-Hun Yang of Eswatini Medical Christian University.

On April 11, UNIST and the University of Ulsan held their first meeting to promote the HST (Health Sciences and Technology) program for the nurturing of Korea's next-generation of physician-scientists. Through this meeting, UNIST laid the foundation for future academic collaborations between the UNIST College of Information and Biotechnology and the University of Ulsan College of Medicine, which will begin in earnest in September 2023. On this day, officials from two colleges set the detailed direction of curriculum development for HST program through the mutual exchange of opinions. Professor Hyung Joon Cho (Department Chair of Biomedical Engineering, UNIST) is presenting on current trends and issues of HST programs. l Image Credit: UNIST College of Information-Bio Convergence Engineering The College of Information and Biotechnology at UNIST has already begun working on developing a total of seven essential courses for the MD-PhD cultivation program, which includes, but not limited to, Medical AI Application Course, Statistics for Medical Science, Introduction to Genomics, Introduction to Medical Imaging, Introduction to Rehabilitation & Regenerative Engineering, Introduction to Brain and Cognitive Engineering, and Introduction to Precision Medicine. Through this meeting, the responsible faculty members gave a brief overview of the key contents for each course. This meeting has been attended by Dean Seong Who Kim of University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Department of Chair Hyung Joon Cho of Biomedical Engineering at UNIST, Director Kyung A Son of UNIST Innovative Education Center, and key officials from both organizations. Dean Seong Who Kim of University of Ulsan College of Medicine is explaining the characteristics of HST program, as well as the direction of curriculum development. l Image Credit: UNIST College of Information-Bio Convergence Engineering "We hope that the 'UNIST―U of U College of Medicine HST Program' will proceed successfully," said Dean Seong Who Kim (University of Ulsan College of Medicine). "We hope that UNIST and the University of Ulsan will serve as a successful convergence education model for an engineering-based medical school, as well as a project-based learning," noted Department Chair Hyung Joon Cho of Biomedical Engineering at UNIST. Jimin Lee, Professor of Nuclear Engineering at UNIST is explaining the use of AI in medical science and engineering. l Image Credit: Kyoungchae Kim Meanwhile, in July 2022, UNIST embarked on a strategic partnership with the University of Ulsan for the cultivation of future physician-scientists. This program, which is set to begin in September 2023, will be the nation's first undergraduate-level MD-PhD cultivation program. About 40 premedical students from the University of Ulsan College of Medicine will be taking classes and conducting research with students at UNIST, every two semesters. Based on these experiences, UNIST will actively support prospective students who are interested in science and engineering to grow into physician-scientists. UNIST President Yong Hoon Lee is delivering a welcome speech at the signing ceremony of MoU between UNIST and Ulsan University on July 11, 2022. l Image Credit: Gyu Ri Kim, University of Ulsan

UNIST College of Engineering has recently embarked on a new partnership with the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University to promote exchanges and cooperation in the following fields of carbon neutrality, nuclear power (radiological science), medicine, and technology convergence in the medical device. The signing ceremony of the MoU between UNIST College of Engineering and SNU Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology took place last week in the video conferencing room, located in the Engineering Building V, UNIST. 김성엽 UNIST 공과대학장(왼쪽)과 예성준 서울대학교 융합과학기술대학원장(오른쪽) | 사진: 김경채 The primary purpose of this MoU was to prepare a joint development plan based on excellent human resources and academic information from both organizations. In the memorandum of understanding, the two organizations have pledged to derive topics for collaborative research and promote joint research cooperation in the following areas of AI, data, pharmaceuticals, and smart healthcare. Meanwhile, the ceremony has been attended by Dean Sung Youb Kim (College of Engineering, UNIST), Department Head In Cheol Bang (Department of Nuclear Engineering, UNIST), Department Head Woonggyu Jung (Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNIST), Professor Hyung Joon Cho (Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNIST), Professor Eisung Yoon, Professor Jimin Lee, Dean Sung-Joon Ye (Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, SNU), Dean Wonchul Park (Department of Applied Bio Engineering, SNU), and key officials from both organizations.