Chemistry and biology are intimately linked, and chemical biotechnology builds on this relationship to provide important technologies in medicine and the environment. It contributes to maintaining the functioning of living organisms and improving the environment, and shows promise as a future growth engine.
How are chemistry and biology connected? Although chemistry and biology are commonly thought of as different fields, biology is deeply dependent on chemistry. For example, the combination of hemoglobin and oxygen that occurs when we breathe is a chemical reaction. In the oxygen-rich lungs, hemoglobin separates from carbon dioxide and combines with oxygen, which is then delivered to the cells. All of these physiological processes are achieved through chemical bonding and breakdown, and without these organic chemical reactions, life could not function. Therefore, chemical analysis is essential in medicine and in the study of the natural environment, and much research is being done to apply the chemical properties of living things.
In recent years, with the growing interest in well-being and the significant development of bio- and environmental-related industries, research in chemical engineering has focused on these areas. Bio and environmental technologies are being recognized as technologies that improve the quality of human life, and countries around the world are striving to make them the future growth engine of their nations. In response, the Department of Applied Chemistry at Seoul National University was renamed the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in 2005 and expanded its research areas.
In the past, chemical engineering was mainly concentrated on the petroleum and heavy chemical industries, which contributed greatly to Korea’s industrial development in the 60s and 70s. However, in the 80s and 90s, chemical-related industries were recognized as 3D industries that dealt with dangerous substances and discharged harmful substances into the environment, and with the development of the electronics industry, chemical engineering was shunned. Recently, however, chemical engineering is experiencing a new revival with the development of fine chemical industries such as semiconductors and nanotechnology. In particular, as new technologies are developed in the fields of medicine and the environment, chemical engineering is becoming a discipline that improves the environment and enhances the quality of life.
A typical example of chemical engineering’s application in medicine is drug delivery systems. Unlike traditional drug delivery methods, new systems are designed to deliver drugs after they reach a specific cell or disease site. Designed to deliver drugs only at certain temperatures or pH, these systems can reduce drug loss and maximize efficacy. It is expected to be especially effective in treating cancers, which have high side effects and metastasize easily.
The study of biomaterials such as artificial organs and artificial cartilage is also covered by chemical biomedical engineering. Since biomaterials are implanted in the human body, it is important for them to be stable in the body, meaning that they must have similar properties to the implanted organ and not cause chemical reactions or immune rejection in the body. It is also important to chemically treat the surface of the material to prevent proteins from adhering to it, as proteins can form blood clots in the blood. To this end, research is being conducted on the development of various synthetic materials and surface treatments.
In the environmental field, research is underway to improve the environment by utilizing nanotechnology or membrane technology. Nanotechnology, which is utilized in various fields, also plays an important role in chemical engineering, especially in catalysis. Catalysts incorporating nanotechnology have large active areas and exhibit new catalytic properties. This can significantly improve the performance of existing catalysts and can be used to reduce emissions from cars, prevent air pollution in factories, and in green energy technologies such as solar cells and fuel cells.
These are just a few examples, but the biological applications of chemical engineering are endless. There are many different types of organisms and their behaviors, many of which are still unexplored, and many different chemical properties and technologies that can be applied to them. The possibilities for advances in medicine and the environment are endless.
As green energy and green growth become increasingly important globally and the desire to extend life increases, Korea is striving to find new growth engines to lead the future as a nation and to achieve green growth that preserves the environment. Against this backdrop, chemical biomedical engineering, which is the engineering study of living organisms and can be utilized as a core technology in the fields of medicine and the environment, will become a more important discipline in the future. Furthermore, it is expected that chemical biomedical engineering will play a key role in Korea’s efforts to realize green growth by utilizing green technology as a national engine.
