"Promotion of Establishing National Institute of Immunology as a Hub for Immunity Research... K-Bio to Develop Together"

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Jeon Chang-deok, President of the Korean Society for Immunology (Professor at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology), is presenting at the "Public Hearing on the Establishment of the National Institute of Immunology" held on the afternoon of the 13th at Songdo Convensia, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon.
[Photo by Lee Myung-hwan]

There has been a call from the academic community to establish a National Institute of Immunology to lay the foundation for immunology research in South Korea.

On the afternoon of the 13th, Jeon Chang-deok, president of the Korean Society for Immunology and a professor at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, suggested this at the "Public Hearing on the Establishment of the National Institute of Immunology" held at Songdo Convensia in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. He stated, "Basic infrastructure is crucial for the advancement of immunology in the country."

The National Institute of Immunology, which the Korean Society for Immunology is promoting, aims to serve as a hub for immunology research in South Korea. Its main role is to connect immunology-related research conducted at various institutions into a single network while supporting infrastructure and networking.

The primary role of the National Institute of Immunology is to provide research infrastructure in the field of immunology. Since basic research and development (R&D) in bio-related fields, including immunology, require a long time, investment in foundational areas such as infrastructure is necessary. Here, infrastructure refers to all resources needed for immunology research, including research personnel, equipment, and facilities. President Jeon emphasized, "The bio field is particularly dependent on basic infrastructure," adding, "It is important to create an environment where academic work can thrive."

With investment in research infrastructure, immunology can advance, which in turn can drive the development of bio technologies. The domestic bio industry invests research funds mainly in technologies or modalities (therapeutic approaches) such as messenger RNA (mRNA) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T, all of which originate from academic research, according to President Jeon. He explained, "Bio-related technologies account for only 1-2% of the academic domain," and stressed, "If we nurture the academic field, the technology will naturally develop."

The Institute will also serve as a hub for industrial networking among domestic immunology research institutions. Choi Yoon-seok, planning committee chair of the Immunology Society, explained, "The core structure of the National Institute of Immunology is original technology research and the formation of industrial networks," adding, "It will build networks among basic research, clinical practice, and industry." Several universities and institutions in South Korea have already established and operate immunology-related research centers, and the Institute will act as a hub connecting these.

What distinguishes the National Institute of Immunology from existing immunology research centers is its role as an "immunology research hub." The Institute will serve as a hub, linking previously separately operated research facilities into a single network to complement each other's shortcomings. This approach is expected to reduce budget waste while enhancing research and development (R&D) capabilities. President Jeon stated, "Infrastructure is like basic physical strength, so the country should invest not in small technologies but in foundational strength," adding, "Considering the nation's future, a research institute responsible for the infrastructure of national research as a whole is needed rather than individual research centers or institutes."

Jeon Chang-deok, President of the Korean Society for Immunology (Professor at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology), is being interviewed on the afternoon of the 13th at Songdo Convensia, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon.
[Photo by Lee Myung-hwan]

Following the public hearing, the Society plans to communicate with related organizations to enact legislation and select a site for the establishment of the National Institute of Immunology. The Society aims to begin construction of the Institute in 2026 and open it in 2028.

Major countries overseas have already established specialized national public research institutions for immunology and are conducting active research activities. In the United States, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) played a key role not only in developing vaccines and treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic but also in establishing quarantine policies. Germany also has an immunology research institution under the Max Planck Society, and Israel conducts immunology research at the Weizmann Institute of Science, a national basic science research institute.

Meanwhile, the public hearing was held as part of the "Immunology Society Songdo Bio Forum" hosted by the Korean Society for Immunology. The Society is an organization of basic scientists and clinical medical researchers studying immunology and celebrated its 49th anniversary this year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.