UNIST and Dong-A University Hospital have launched a joint research initiative aimed at advancing precision medicine for complex diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, and autoimmune conditions. 

On April 7, the two institutions established the Southeastern Korea Translational Omics Consortium (STOC) at UNIST, marking the start of a collaborative effort to integrate multi-omics data into clinical research and care. The consortium brings together 15 researchers, including five faculty members from UNIST’s Department of Biological Sciences and ten clinicians from Dong-A University Hospital. 

The initiative is designed to bridge basic science and clinical practice by combining laboratory-based research with patient-derived data. Through this translational framework, the consortium seeks to translate molecular insights into practical applications for diagnosis and treatment. 

At the core of the collaboration is a multi-omics approach, integrating genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data to provide a comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms. This approach enables the identification of molecular changes that may not be captured through single-layer analyses, supporting efforts in biomarker discovery, early diagnosis, prognosis prediction, and the development of targeted and personalized therapies. 

Under the partnership, UNIST will contribute its research infrastructure and expertise in omics analysis, while Dong-A University Hospital will provide clinical data and patient-centered insights. Clinical departments involved include hemato-oncology, neurology, rheumatology, laboratory medicine, and pathology. 

“Through interdisciplinary research based on multi-omics, we expect to deepen our understanding of complex diseases and contribute to the development of next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic strategies,” said Jang Hyun Choi, Chair of Biological Sciences at UNIST. 

The consortium is expected to accelerate the integration of multi-omics research into clinical settings, supporting the development of more precise and personalized approaches to patient care.