Hyunjoon Kong

Hyunjoon Kong

Robert W. Schaefer Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Areas of Research

3D Cell Culture, Animal Models, Cell and Developmental Biology, Cell Biology, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Liver Cancer

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 that can be used to address problems in biology and medicine. The Kong lab conducts research that aims to better understand the roles of an extracellular matrix and bio-transports on cancer progression. Kong has developed cell-laden hydrogels that allow one to examine the individual and combine the roles of various extracellular microenvironmental factors on invasive phenotypes of cancer cells. In particular, the Kong lab has demonstrated that the softness of the gel plays a significant role in triggering invasive activities of liver cancer cells and further promoting neovascularization in a 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