News & Events
News & Events
Institut Pasteur Korea holds a symposium on bioinformatics
2021-10-14
Institut Pasteur Korea holds a symposium on bioinformatics
Institut Pasteur Korea (IPK) held a mini symposium on September 29 under the theme of “The Disease-Microbiome-Environment Axis in the Realms of Bioinformatics Research.”
The purpose of this symposium was to share the latest status of research on bioinformatics and promote exchange between experts in each field to contribute to the advancement of bioinformatics research. Five prominent experts, including Professor Mina Rho from the Department of Computer Science at Hanyang University; Dr. Soojin Jang, Head of Antibacterial Resistance Lab at IPK; Professor Sang-Hyuk Lee and Professor Jaesang Kim from the Department of Life Sciences at Ewha Womans University; and Professor GwangPyo Ko from the Graduate School of Public Health at Seoul National University participated as speakers.
.png)
Professor Mina Rho discussed techniques such as clustering used to derive and analyze genetic elements from human microbiome data and shared several studies that applied such technique. She shared the comparative analysis results of domestic and foreign human microbiome clustering, a language model-based learning technique for identification of viral sequences from the metagenome, as well as analysis results on association between antibiotic resistance and resistomes. (Topic: Identification of genetic elements in human microbiome)
Dr. Soojin Jang introduced domestic and MetaSUB consortium research that analyzed the current state of human and environmental microbiome and their interactions, presenting results that they affect each other in both directions. Furthermore, she proposed a strategy to extensively accumulate data on microbiomes which affect humans and utilizing it in disease research, monitoring, prevention, and control. (Topic: Human & environmental microbiome in urban area: Pathogens and antibiotic resistance)
Professor Sang-Hyuk Lee presented research on the development and application of immunology-based bioinformatics models to predict patients' response to immunotherapy. He anticipated that utilization of an ensemble model designed using machine learning and PD-L1 as the major biomarker will allow configuration of more precise treatment strategies for lung cancer patients, increase treatment effectiveness, and reduce burden of treatment costs. (Topic: An ensemble machine learning model to predict responses to PD-1 blockades in lung adenocarcinoma)
Professor Jaesang Kim, sharing the details of multidimensional NGS project at Ewha Womans University which revealed the association between lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and FCN3, introduced the role of systems/bench biologists in bioinformatics research and their collaboration with bioinformaticians. He explained that through cell culture experiments and analysis of RNA sequencing, FCN3, which suppresses tumors, was found to induce apoptosis by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress response. (Topic: Back to the Bench: Functional Analysis of Genes from High-throughput Screens)
Professor GwangPyo Ko presented the latest research on metabolic diseases using the microbiome. In particular, he discussed about a domestic cohort study on twins which identified microorganisms that can improve/prevent alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), where efficacy was confirmed through mouse models. In another cohort study which classified NAFLD patients into obese and non-obese subjects, he explained that microorganisms that can improve liver cirrhosis in non-obese subjects were identified and efficacy was confirmed through mouse models. (Topic: Microbiome and chronic metabolic diseases)
.png)
After the presentation, the speakers had a question-and-answer session with the Chair, Dr. Youngmee Jee (CEO of IPK) and online and offline attendees. Dr. Jee explained that the institute is planning on heightening bioinformatics expertise to accelerate its various research activities and sought advice. The speakers agreed that it is an excellent strategy to strengthen capabilities related to big data analysis and voiced that experts in both biology and informatics should build understanding of each other's research fields and cooperate actively.
* The on-site session was held in compliance with guidelines on COVID-19 prevention.