Research Program and Theme
- Program: Cancer Engineering and Biological Systems
- Theme: Comparative and Engineered Oncology Models
Research Focus
Hyunjoon (Joon) Kong’s lab is developing advanced biomaterials to address problems in biology and medicine. The Kong lab conducts research that aims to better understand the roles of the extracellular matrix and bio-transports in cancer progression. Kong has developed cell-laden hydrogels that enable examination of the individual and combined roles of various extracellular microenvironmental factors in regulating the invasive phenotypes of cancer cells. In particular, the Kong lab has demonstrated that the gel’s softness plays a significant role in triggering the invasive activity of liver cancer cells and further promoting neovascularization at the transplanted site. Kong is working with Dr. Lawrence Schook to study the role of the gel matrix in making xenografts of liver cancer. Learn more about Hyunjoon Kong’s lab.
Other Campus Affiliations
- Professor, Bioengineering
- Professor, Micro and Nanotechnology Lab
- Professor, Biomedical and Translational Sciences
- Professor, Pathobiology
- Professor, Neuroscience Program
- Professor, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
- Professor, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology