The Catholic University of Korea held an opening ceremony and an invited symposium for the 'Karyoptosis Control Laboratory' at The Catholic University of Korea Central Library on Thursday, July 30.

The event was attended by President Choi Jun-kyu, key campus officials, researchers, and distinguished guests from on and off campus, who shared the laboratory's operational direction and future research plans.

The 'Karyoptosis Control Laboratory' was established after being selected for the '2026 Basic Research Laboratory (BRL) Support Program (Pioneering Category)' hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea—making it the only pharmacy school in the nation to receive this selection.

With Professor Yong-Yeun Cho of the College of Pharmacy as the Principal Investigator, Professor Joo-Young Lee and Professor Nae-Won Kang of the College of Pharmacy, alongside Professor Dae-Hoon Park of the Department of Medical and Biological Science, will join as co-researchers. The team will receive a total research grant of 1.5 billion KRW through February 2029 to conduct their research.

Based on 'Karyoptosis'—a new mechanism of cell death discovered for the first time in the world by the university's research team—the team aims to secure fundamental technology for developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, age-related diseases, and cancer.

Following the opening ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the Basic Research Laboratory (BRL) of Pusan National University, establishing a foundation for academic exchange and joint research. At the commemorative opening symposium that followed, Professor Jae-Won Lee from Pusan National University and Professor Chang-Young Jang from Sookmyung Women's University delivered guest lectures.

President Choi Jun-kyu stated, "I sincerely congratulate the opening of the nation's only pioneering Basic Research Laboratory among pharmacy colleges. I look forward to this laboratory elevating our university's excellent research capabilities to a higher level and leaping forward as a world-class research hub that contributes to the enhancement of human health."

Principal Investigator Professor Yong-Yeun Cho of the College of Pharmacy remarked, "Based on the newly identified mechanism of karyoptosis, we will lay the groundwork for developing innovative breakthrough drugs that can overcome the limitations of conventional cancer treatments. Through close cooperation with participating researchers and other institutions, we will create meaningful research achievements that will boost the nation's bio-competitiveness."