CNU has achieved significant success by having two of its research centers selected among the six Regional Leading Research Centers (RLRC) projects.

For the 2023 Regional Innovation Leading Research Center Project, CNU’s Leading Research Center for Kidney Disease Control and Advancement of Dialysis Equipment (director: Professor Kim Soo-wan, School of Medicine) and the Leading Research Center for Total Solutions for Osteoporosis (director: Professor Lee Chang-moon, Department of Healthcare Medical Engineering) were selected for the project.

The Leading Research Center for Kidney Disease Control and Advancement of Dialysis Equipment involves CNU as the main university, jointly collaborating with the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) and CNU Hospital. They will form two research groups for ▲ the development of artificial intelligence-based big data-driven kidney disease control technology and ▲ the advancement and portability of dialysis devices. Additionally, five local companies with essential core technologies in the field will participate to secure intellectual property rights and contribute to regional employment. 

The project, with a total investment of approximately 13.7 billion KRW over the next seven years, includes funding from Gwangju City and regional companies, accelerating the development of an artificial intelligence healthcare platform for the comprehensive management of kidney diseases and the advancement of portable artificial kidney technology.

The Leading Research Center for Total Solutions for Osteoporosis will be led by CNU’s Yeosu Campus in collaboration with Chosun University, focusing on research and development of osteoporosis vaccines and treatments, optimizing clinical monitoring technology for the whole process of osteoporosis management, and building a regional specialized bio-medical research cluster and the foundation for leading regional convergence industries.

This project secured a total investment of 13.3 billion KRW, including government subsidies, contributions from South Jeolla Province and Yeosu City, and funding from local industries and will be carried out for seven years from July 2023 to February 2030. 

In particular, the establishment of the leading research center in Yeosu, playing a hub role in activating high-value-added bio-medical industries in the South Jeolla region, is expected to contribute to the activation of advanced bio-industries and fostering local talent.