When gene transcription falls out of sync with other biological processes, that dysfunction can contribute to aging, cancer and other diseases. Researchers revealed how key regulatory proteins work in a precise hierarchy to meticulously adjust pacing during transcription. These regulatory proteins may now emerge as potential drug targets for a variety of disorders. The single-molecule platform that revealed these findings is a novel approach to studying similar processes that could have broad applications in biology.

A research team, led by Prof. XU Qin from the Department of Physics (PHYS) and Prof. HU Wenqi from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has developed soft composite systems with highly programmable, asymmetric mechanical responses. By integrating “shear-jamming transitions” into compliant polymeric solids, this innovative work enhances key material functionalities essential for engineering mechano-intelligent systems— a major step toward the development of next-generation smart materials and devices. 

- Professor Ko Jae-won’s research team at DGIST uncovers key role in signal transmission between neurons and memory formation

- Establishing the molecular foundation of learning and memory, expected to treat dysfunctional brain disorders, such as autism and dementia