1. Can you please briefly summarize the paper? 

My recent publication in Bioactive Materials uses whitlockite (WH), a biomineral, with cartilage-mimetic biomaterial for osteochondral defect repair. Briefly, we fabricated a bilayer cryogel (RGD/RGDW) based on RGD-modified chondroitin sulfate, where the bottom layer consists of WH. The purpose of incorporating WH was to promote regeneration of the calcified cartilage, an interfacial tissue between articular cartilage and subchondral bone that plays important structural and functional roles. We conducted in vitro and three in vivo studies to prove our hypothesis.

Through in vitro and in vivo mouse subcutaneous implantation studies, we showed that WH induces chondrocyte hypertrophic gene and protein expressions. Through in vivo mouse cranial defect model, we were able to demonstrate that WH-mediated hypertrophic cartilage mineralizes into calcified cartilage. Finally, in rabbit osteochondral defect, RGD/RGDW cryogel regenerated the respective layers of the osteochondral tissue. Moreover, the hypertrophic RGDW bottom layer facilitated osseointegration with surrounding bone, which is critical for graft-to-tissue integration and graft success.

2. Can you please tell us the main difficulties you had in the laboratory work and how you overcame them?

Choosing the right research topic for my PhD thesis was undoubtedly the biggest challenge I faced during my Masters-PhD combined program. I was always interested in cartilage regeneration, but deciding on how to achieve cartilage regeneration was not so simple. On top of extensive literature search, I think having regular discussions with my PI (Professor Nathaniel S. Hwang) really helped with brainstorming ideas and narrowing down potential research directions. Yet, endless trial-and-error was inevitable ;)

After completing my PhD, I continue to develop my PhD thesis topic at Professor Hwang’s lab: supercritical CO2-based drying process for biological samples. As a bio person, not only was it challenging to grasp the mechanics of the process, but learning to operate a high-pressure system was entirely new to me. Fortunately, with the guidance of our collaborator, Professor Youn Woo Lee, the learning process?while still ongoing?has been much smoother than I anticipated.

3. Please introduce your laboratory, university or organization to bio-researchers in Korea.

I am part of Professor Nathaniel S. Hwang’s Biomimetic Materials and Stem Cell Engineering (BMSCE) Lab at Seoul National University. At BMSCE lab, we combine engineering principles and basic science with developmental biology to understand mechanisms of tissue regeneration in novel biomaterial systems. Our lab covers a wide range of tissue engineering topics from nature-inspired biomaterial scaffold/cell coating to supercritical fluid technology-implemented cell/tissue-derived materials.

4. Please tell us your experiences and your thoughts related to research activities abroad.

I did my undergrad at Columbia University and returned to Korea for my graduate studies. Although I didn't have firsthand lab experience at Columbia, I observed vicariously that the level of research infrastructure in Korea is much on par with that of renown institutions abroad. The biggest difference between graduate studies here and abroad would be the access to world-renowned researchers. It can be very rewarding to collaborate with, attend seminars by, or even work in the same building as Nobel Prize winners and other prominent researchers in the field. Research endeavors abroad can really broaden your perspective. That said, there are also many opportunities for students in Korea to gain international exposure through NRF-funded International Research Experience (IRES) programs.

5. Can you provide some advice for younger scientists who have plans to study abroad?

Although research interest alignment is a key factor in deciding where you pursue your academic/research career, I believe that your state of mind and overall well-being are of utmost importance during this long journey. Many of you will likely be embarking on this challenging path far from your family, so it's crucial to know your priorities, preferences, and dislikes in daily life in order to keep yourself comfortable and happy. For instance, I knew that I couldn't endure anything other than a big city, which is why I ended up in New York.

6. Future plan?

As mentioned above, I am continuing my post-PhD work at Professor Hwang lab, focusing on the development of supercritical CO2-based drying process for biological samples. In fact, Professor Hwang, Professor Lee and I founded a startup centered around this technology. Our ultimate goal is to offer tissue engineering-based treatment for inflammatory and degenerative diseases.

7. Do you have anything else that you would like to tell Korean scientists and students?

It may sound cliche, but never give up. Even a failed attempt can be meaningful in the process of eventually finding the right answer. That was the case for me.