June 23, 2019

The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Hokkaido Branch“Biomechanics Research Meeting”
36th Seminar
Chairman: Toshiro Ohashi
The Biomechanics Research Meeting will sponsor presentations by Prof. In-San Kim from Korea
Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Korea/Korea University, Korea and Prof. Kuiwon Choi
from Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Korea. Faculty members, graduate students,and undergraduates are encouraged to participate in the seminar.
Date&Time: July 4, 2019, 16:00 - 17:30
Place: Room A1-17, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University
16:00 - 16:45
Title: Complex Adaptive Cancer Immunotherapy
Speaker: Prof. In-San Kim
Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science andTechnology (KIST), Korea
KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University,Korea
Abstract:
Immunotherapy is revolutionizing the treatment of cancer. The current immunotherapeutics that workby taking the brakes off T cells have been particularly transformational, dramatically improving
outcomes for some cancer patients. But we still need to answer to those patients whose cancers do notrespond to these immunotherapeutics, and those whose cancers respond initially but then become
resistant to the treatments. The more we study the major issues of tumors, the more we come to realizethat they cannot be understood in isolation. Tumors are systemic problems, which mean that they areinterconnected and interdependent. Cancer cells are present within a complex adaptive ecosystem
consisted of associated cells including immune cells, connective tissue cells, endothelial cells within ascaffold of matrix altogether forming tumor microenvironment. Cancer, perhaps uniquely among
human illnesses, is a disease that arises through Darwinian interactions of microenvironmental
selection and phenotypic adaptation, which are both causes and consequences of its complexity andheterogeneity. Since a life has begun 3.5 billion years ago, they ensured continuous interaction
between the diverse species, both cooperative and fiercely competitive in nature. So they havedeveloped complex and sophisticated immune system to survive. Can we develop better systems tofight against cancer than our own immune system? Even though we do not understand completely ourown immune systems, we could try at least to awaken our own immune system to fight against cancer.
In an attempt to trigger our own immunity against cancers, we utilized the characteristic of genetic
instability to our advantage, as the expression of cancer cell neoantigens triggers immunity against
cancer cells, which can be called “intrinsic cancer vaccination”. For this purpose, we designed protein
nanocages or extracellular vesicles (exosomes), which hold not only ligands for enhancing cancer cell
phagocytosis but also drugs for inducing immunogenic cancer cell death. This strategy will allow us toavoid using known tumor specific antigens, ex vivo manipulation and adoptive cell therapy, instead,efficiently present neoantigens of cancer cells to our immune system. This strategy could be combinedwith other treatment modalities to potentiate the therapeutic efficacy.
16:45 - 17:30
Title: H-TRAIN : Hongreung Biomedical Cluster
Speaker: Prof. Kuiwon Choi
H-TRAIN Program, Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Korea
Abstract:
H-TRAIN Program is a translational research program developed in 2018. The purpose of theprogram is to facilitate commercialization of the biomedical technologies developed in KIST. This
program is originated from Translational Research Center (TRC) Program in KIST since 2012, thenupdated and renamed as H-TRAIN. Hongreung is the area where the origin of Korean R&D since
1966 when KIST was developed. KAIST has once also been located in this area, although KASIT
moved to other city in late 1980’s. Around this area there exist more than 10 universities, 2 major
university hospitals, 2 specialized government hospitals and 3 government-sponsored research
institutes including KIST. Approximately 5,000 ph.D.s are working in this area. Recently, Seoul city
developed the Seoul Bio-hub in this area to promote industrialization of biomedical technologies as anaccelerating organization. For now, there are more than 30 start-ups are under incubation and more
start-ups will be accommodated soon. In Korea, the biomedical area is now considered as one of main
future growth engine of Korean economy. Thus a lot of efforts both from the Government and local
governments has been put into this area. The role of GRIs becomes more emphasized and theindustrialization of the biomedical technologies is essential to the future of Korea. This is why
H-TRAIN was born in KIST. In this presentation, I will introduce the H-TRAIN program along withthe future of Hongreung Biomedcal Cluster.

Contact:Toshiro Ohashi, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University
Tel&Fax: 011-706-6424, Email: ohashi@eng.hokudai.ac.jp