National Pukyong University, Research on Marine-Derived Substances for Anti-Biofilm Applications Draws Attention

Professor Kim Youngmok's Research Team... Published in 'Trends in Biotechnology,' Sister Journal of the World-Renowned 'Cell'

A study on the potential application of marine-derived substances as antibiofilm agents by the research team led by Professor Kim Youngmok (Food Engineering major) at Pukyong National University has been published in ‘Trends in Biotechnology,’ a sister journal of the world-renowned journal ‘Cell.’

Professor Kim Youngmok (corresponding author) of Pukyong National University, Professor Fazlur Rahman Khan (corresponding author) of the International Cooperation Research Institute for Marine Fisheries Development, Jeong Geumjae (first author) and Cho Kyungjin (co-author), doctoral students in the Department of Food Engineering, and Dr. Najia Tabassum (co-author) of the Marine Bionics Convergence Technology Center published the paper titled “Marine-derived bioactive materials as antibiofilm and antivirulence agents” in the October issue of this journal.

Professor Youngmok Kim's research team. (Professor Youngmok Kim, Professor Fazlur Rahman Khan, Geumjae Jeong, Najia Tabassum, Researcher Kyungjin Cho)

In this paper, the research team comprehensively discussed the underlying mechanisms by which marine-derived substances inhibit biofilm formation and virulence factors, and proposed the potential application of effective antibiofilm and antivirulence agents.

Biofilms are a type of protective barrier formed to shield structures created by organisms or microorganisms. While biofilms serve to protect against external environmental factors, they also create an environment conducive to microbial proliferation, leading to issues such as antibiotic resistance.

The research team reported that marine-derived bioactive substances exhibit antibiofilm and antivirulence activities through mechanisms including inhibition of pathogen quorum sensing, suppression of amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, and intracellular ROS generation.

The team expects that marine-derived substances could provide a new therapeutic approach to treat biofilm infections, a major mechanism of antibiotic resistance, and be applied in the development of new paradigm therapeutics distinct from conventional antibiotics.

This research was supported by the Basic Research Program in Science and Technology through the National Research Foundation of Korea, specifically by the University-Driven Research Institute (Marine Bionics Convergence Technology Center, Center Director Professor Jung Won-kyo).

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