News

Dr. Chen Kun, a  postdoctoral  researcher  at  Frontier  Institute  for Biomolecular  Engineering  Research (FIBER), Konan University, received the  Outstanding  Poster  Award  at  the  international  conference  ISNAC 2025 (52nd International Symposium on Nucleic Acids Chemistry / 9th Annual  Meeting  of  the  Japan  Society  for  Nucleic  Acid  Chemistry), held  at  the  Toyama  International  Conference  Center  in  Toyama  City from  November 12 to 14, 2025.

This  research  is  one  of  the  core  themes  in  the  Konan  New  Century Strategic  Research Project (Phase I) (Project Representative: Associate Professor  Hisae Tateishi-Karimata) being  advanced at FIBER. The study demonstrated  a  new  design  guideline  for  DNA  sensors  that l everages the  differences  in  the  environments  of  cancer  cells  and  normal  cells. This  award  signifies  that  the  research  project  being  promoted  at Konan  University  is  recognized as a  globally  significant  research  field.

Presentation Title: Cell-Specific  Nearest-Neighbor  Parameters  for Developing  Functional  DNA  Devices  Working  Cancer  Cells
Presenters: Kun Chen, Hisae Tateishi-Karimata, Shuntaro Takahashi, Tatsuya Ohyama, Naoki Sugimoto
Affiliation: Frontier  Institute  for  Biomolecular  Engineering  Research Konan University (FIBER), Graduate  School  of  Frontiers  of  Innovative Research  in  Science  and  Technology, Konan  University (FIRST),

Research Content
“Designing  DNA  Optimized  for  Each  Cell  Type: New  Possibilities  for Functional  DNA  Devices”
Dr. Chen and  FIBER  members  analyzes  the  characteristics  of  DNA, which holds genetic information in living organisms. He also conducts research designing cancer sensors by utilizing DNA as a “molecular switch” that reacts only within  abnormal  cells, such  as  cancer  cells. During  this  research, FIBER  discovered  that  even  identical  DNA functions  differently  in  normal  cells  versus  cancer  cells  due  to  their distinct  environments. Using  FIBER’s  original  technology, the  pseudo-cell  experimental  system (SHELL), which  artificially  recreates  the internal  cellular  environment, Dr. Chen identified “which DNA structures  work  best  in  which  cells.” This  achievement  is  expected  to lead  to  the  future  development  of “smart  DNA  sensors” and “targeted therapy  DNA  devices” that  react  only  within  cancer  cells.

Through  research  and  development  in  the  field  of  biochemistry, FIBER  will  contribute  to  the  advancement  of  science  and  technology and  the  development  of  the  socio-economy.

Congratulations on this award.

About the Conference
ISNAC (International Symposium  on Nucleic Acids Chemistry) is a globally  authoritative  international  conference  in  the  field  of  nucleic  acid chemistry, including  DNA  and  RNA. Held  in  Toyama  City  in  2025, it gathered  numerous  researchers  and  students  from  Japan  and  abroad, fostering  lively  discussions. Dr. Chen’s presentation  was  particularly highly  regarded  for  its exceptional  originality  and outstanding  academic  completeness（Official Conference Website: https://web.apollon.nta.co.jp/isnac2025/） . This award is given to young researchers  for  especially  outstanding  presentations, and  was presented to  five  recipients  selected  from  among  the  young  researchers  gathered  from  around  the  world.