The Center for Microbiome–Body–Brain Physiology at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), led by Director SUH Seong-Bae, held its official opening ceremony on February 26 at Oryong Hall, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST). The event was attended by key guests including CHAE Suhn Kee, Acting Vice President of IBS; NOH Do Young, former IBS President and Professor at the Department of Physics and Photon Science at GIST; LIM Kichul, President of GIST; and SUH Pann-Ghill, President of the Korea Brain Research Institute.

▲ Unveiling ceremony of the center’s plaque at the opening ceremony of the Center for Microbiome–Body–Brain Physiology.

Officially launched in December last year, the Center for Microbiome–Body–Brain Physiology is the third IBS campus research center established at GIST, following the Center for Quantum Conversion Research (Director KIM Yousoo) and the Center for Relativistic Laser Science (Director KIM Kyung Taec).

The Center plans to investigate how the brain and body sense internal nutritional states and translate them into physiological responses such as feeding behavior, metabolic homeostasis, and hormone secretion. The research will focus on the internal sensing mechanisms and neural circuits involved in detecting essential nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals.

▲ Director SUH Seong-Bae introducing the Center for Microbiome–Body–Brain Physiology.

Director SUH Seong-Bae said, “By uncovering the principles of internal sensing, we can gain deeper insights into major physiological phenomena such as feeding behavior, obesity, diabetes, and aging. Just as all parts of the body connected to the brain communicate bidirectionally, we aim to pursue integrated and systematic research that connects brain neuroscience with body physiology and produces meaningful achievements that will resonate globally.”

CHAE Suhn Kee, Acting Vice President of IBS, stated, “Just as basic science has expanded humanity’s understanding of the world, we hope the collaboration between IBS and GIST will create strong synergies and contribute to a virtuous cycle of national development.”