Leading vascular research through ground-breaking discoveries and innovative challenges
Center for Vascular Research
Institute for Basic Science at the KAIST Campus
Our Activities
Our vision is to make ground-breaking discoveries, conceptual advances and paradigm shifts in vascular biology through basic and fundamental research
Explore organotypic EC heterogeneity, angiogenesis, vascular remodeling and vascular niche
Identify novel key regulators and clarify their mechanisms in the interaction between endothelial cells and pericytes
Explore organotypic lymphangiogenesis, lymphatic remodeling and regression and lymphatic functions
Identify cardioblasts and clarify their characteristics and effective applications for cardiac regeneration
Undertake creative approaches and develop innovative methods for angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, vascular remodeling, and cardiogenesis
News and Gallery
A new paper titled "A systems view of the vascular endothelium in health and disease" is published in Cell.
An article by Gou Young Koh and Hellmut G. Augustin titled "A systems view of the vascular endothelium in health and disease" is published in Cell online.
Endothelial cell dysfunction is a leading cause of mortality, but these cells, forming a single-cell layer in all organs, should be seen as part of a highly dynamic and interactive organ system that extends throughout the body. This review provides a comprehensive perspective on vascular research, highlighting the diverse roles of endothelial cells in maintaining vascular health, acting as responsive elements, and serving as instructive gatekeepers that regulate organ function. Additionally, it explores emerging translational opportunities in regenerative medicine, preventive healthcare, and aging research, aiming to promote a deeper understanding of the crucial role of the vasculature in supporting systemic health and promoting healthy aging.
Sep 05, 2024
New Research Group Joins IBS Center for Vascular Reserach :
Professor Won-Suk Chung as Associate Director
Won-Suk Chung is an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at KAIST and recentrly joined the IBS Center for Vascular Research as the associate director. Throughout his research, he has established that the brain’s resident immune cells, astrocytes and microglia, control neural circuit refinement and homeostasis by selectively eliminating unnecessary synapses via phagocytosis. His research team has also been revealing that these phagocytic roles of brain cells are critical not only for regulating synapse number and neural circuits but also for reducing potential central nervous system (CNS)-enriched antigens, such as myelin debris, Aβ and tau. At the IBS Center for Vascular Research, he is currently aiming to understand how the brain’s resident immune cells communicate with systemic immune responses through brain vasculature at the CNS borders, influencing the brain’s development, maintenance, and pathology. Through this research, his team seeks to provide new therapeutic strategies for various CNS disorders, such as autoimmune disorders, neuroinflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Aug 01, 2024
Nasal ciliated cells are primary targets for SARS-CoV-2 replication in early stage of COVID 19
Lymphatic vessel in lacteal