Novel Blood-Based Graft Enables Simultaneous Muscle and Blood Vessel Regeneration

Abstract Volumetric muscle loss (VML), a severe injury involving irreversible loss of both muscle tissue and vasculature, poses a major barrier to the development of clinically viable muscle grafts. Functional restoration requires engineered constructs capable of reconstructing both contractile and vascular components that can functionally integrate with the host vasculature. Here, we introduce SPARC (spatio-chimeric, plasma-based, anisotropic, and shear-responsive construct), a mechanically bimodal fibrin hydrogel engineered via shear-guided assembly of plasma fibrin to recreate the structural and mechanical heterogeneity of native muscle. Controlled microfluidic shear generates aligned fibrillar bundles and a spatially graded bimodal stiffness architecture, establishing stiff, bundle-dense regions that favor myogenic differentiation and compliant regions that promote endothelial morphogenesis. When co-cultured with myoblasts and endothelial cells, the resulting anisotropic matrix directs spatially organized myogenic maturation and endothelial morphogenesis. In vivo evaluation in a murine VML model shows that vascularized muscle SPARC grafts restore muscle architecture and function, promoting neovascularization, myofiber regeneration, and enhanced motor recovery. Through its spatially mechano-programmed design, SPARC enables coordinated myogenic and endothelial organization within a single construct, establishing a scalable biofabrication strategy for functional repair of extensive muscle defects. A research team, affiliated with UNIST has reported a new tissue engineering approach that regenerates muscle and blood vessels at the same time, using only the patient's blood. This technology offers a promising solution for treating extensive muscle loss caused by trauma or surgery. Led by Professor Joo H. Kang of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNIST, the team collaborated with Professor Yoonhee Jin from Yonsei University to create a platform called SPARC (spatio-chimeric, plasma-based, shear-responsive construct). Using microfluidics, they assemble fibrin—an essential protein involved in blood clotting—into a structured scaffold. By applying controlled shear stress within tiny channels, they align fibrin fibers in specific patterns. Dense, stiff regions support muscle cell growth, while softer areas promote blood vessel formation. The result is a single, integrated scaffold that guides both tissues to develop side by side. In tests on mice with large muscle wounds, the grafts successfully connected with the host's blood supply, encouraging the formation of new vasculature and muscle tissue. The animals regained strength and mobility, demonstrating the therapy's potential to restore function. This approach is notable because it uses fibrin derived solely from the patient's blood, reducing the risk of immune rejection. It also simplifies scaffold fabrication by leveraging physical forces to create distinct microenvironments within one material. “We harness fibrin's natural ability to organize under mechanical shear, creating a multifunctional scaffold from a single, biocompatible material,” said Professor Kang. “This technology could revolutionize treatments for severe muscle injuries and tissue defects.” The findings of this research were published in the online edition of Advanced Materials on April 22, 2026. The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). Journal Reference Su Hyun Jung, Minjun Kim, Da-Yoon Kim, et al., “Mechanically Spatio-Chimeric Fibrin Assembly Enables Vascular-Integrated Muscle Reconstruction for Volumetric Muscle Loss Repair,” Adv. Mater., (2026).

2026.05.28

New Research Reveals High-Performance Organic Solar Cells Surpassing AI Predictions

Abstract Descriptor-based artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a paradigm for molecular design in organic solar cells (OSCs); However, it inherently overlooks collective effects governed by bond hybridization, intermolecular coupling, and aggregation thermodynamics. Such effects are encoded at the solution stage, where pre-aggregation of photoactive materials dictates nucleation pathways, phase separation, and molecular ordering during film formation. Herein, we introduce a YBOV non-fullerene acceptor featuring sp2-hybridized branched side chains that exhibit an unprecedentedly strong solution-state pre-aggregation propensity. This behavior translates into highly ordered solid films with a densely packed crystalline microstructure, enabled by a thermodynamically stabilized core–terminal dimer. As a result, incorporation of YBOV into OSCs not only outperforms the benchmark L8-BO-based device, but also confers an effective nucleation seeding-agent function across diverse host OSC platforms, delivering efficiencies of up to 19.67% via green-solvent processing by alleviating the intrinsic current–voltage trade-off. Machine-learning predictions largely match experimental photovoltaic parameters with a slight upward bias, except for open-circuit voltage, which exhibits anomalous behavior driven by pre-aggregation–driven seeding effects beyond descriptor-based AI. This work establishes sp2-hybridized branched side chains as a new molecular design principle, introducing pre-aggregation-enabled seeding effects beyond AI prediction and providing a universal strategy for high-performance OSCs. Researchers from UNIST and Sungkyunkwan University have created a new type of organic solar cell (OSC) that outperforms existing predictions and highlights a hidden factor in device performance. The secret lies in how molecules clump together in solution—a phenomenon that traditional AI models overlook. Professor Changduk Yang from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Doo-Hyun Ko from Sungkyunkwan University, reported a new OSC with a power conversion efficiency (PEC) of 19.67% through a clean, environmentally friendly process. OSCs are lightweight, flexible, and capable of covering large surfaces. They can be integrated into building facades, windows, and wearable devices. The manufacturing process involves dissolving organic materials in solvents and coating them onto substrates—an approach that's simple and scalable. The researchers designed a new molecule, named YBOV, with branched side chains that promote strong pre-aggregation in solution. This aggregation acts like a seed during film formation, guiding molecules to pack more orderly. The result is a crystalline, densely packed active layer that improves charge flow and boosts efficiency. Notably, devices made with YBOV achieved high performance even when produced with eco-friendly ortho-xylene solvent, avoiding toxic chlorinated options. YBOV also proved versatile. When added to different donor materials or used as an acceptor in various blends, it consistently increased device efficiency. Its aggregation behavior enhances performance across a range of formulations. However, this clustering effect escapes prediction by standard AI models. When trained on 750 device measurements, the models underestimated the open-circuit voltage for YBOV-based cells. This shows that AI, which predicts based on molecular structure alone, cannot fully capture the collective behaviors that influence real-world performance. “Our work introduces a new design principle,” said the research team. “It considers how molecules behave in solution—something AI cannot currently predict. Combining this insight with eco-friendly processing opens new paths for commercializing high-performance, sustainable organic solar cells.” Supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the InnoCore program of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the study involved Seokhwan Jeong, Donghoo Won, and Zhe Sun from UNIST who contributed equally. The findings of this research were published in Advanced Energy Materials on April 20, 2026. Journal Reference Seokhwan Jeong, Donghoo Won, Zhe Sun, et al ., “Beyond Descriptor-Based AI Design: Sp2-Hybridized Branched Side Chains Enable Pre-Aggregation–Driven Seeding Effects in Green-Solvent-Processed Organic Solar Cells,” Adv. Energy Mater., (2026).

2026.05.27

New Study Unveils Water-Responsive Luminescent Material

Abstract Hydrogel-based photonic systems integrating luminescent emitters offer promise as soft, reconfigurable optical platforms, yet most designs lack internal optical engineering to control light propagation and confinement. Here, we present a lithographically programmable soft-photonic platform in which upconversion nanocrystals (UCNs) encapsulated within fluorocarbon nanoemulsion droplets are embedded in a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel microdome. Upon drying, strong refractive index contrast between the PEGDA matrix and fluorocarbon droplets creates a cooperative optical microenvironment that structures the near-infrared (NIR) excitation beam into a speckle-like field with localized hot spots while extending the photon dwell time within the microdome via internal reflection-based waveguiding. These effects yield a fully reversible, greater than sevenfold enhancement of upconversion luminescence—well beyond simple concentration or mechanical densification. This optical gain originates from multiple-scattering-assisted speckle excitation activated only in the contracted microdome state. Because UCNs are pumped by invisible NIR speckle illumination that rapidly varies in 3D across the microdome height, the incoherent sum of the photoluminescence manifests as a homogeneous filter-free visible brightness increase. The hydrogel microdomes, fabricated via a customized digital micromirror device (DMD)-based microlithography, enable high-resolution patterning of moisture-responsive displays, multicolor emission motifs, and reversible QR-code encryption, establishing a scalable route toward speckle-engineered soft photonic systems.' Researchers at UNIST have created a new material that dims when it absorbs moisture. This innovation could lead to water-sensitive security features, humidity sensors, and environmental-reactive displays. Led by Professor Jiseok Lee from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering and Professor Jung-Hoon Park from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the team developed a hydrogel with embedded upconversion nanocrystals (UCNs). When dry, the material glows more than seven times brighter than when wet. The core design involves oil droplets trapped inside a hydrogel dome. When near-infrared (NIR) light hits the nanocrystals, they emit visible light. In this structure, scattering within the oil droplets traps the light, boosting brightness. When the hydrogel absorbs water, its internal scattering drops, and the glow fades. The team demonstrated how this material can hide and reveal information. In one test, a hidden pattern beneath the hydrogel becomes visible only when water is applied, as the glow weakens. They also created QR codes that are scannable when dry but vanish when wet, making them useful for anti-counterfeiting. Durability stood out. The material retained consistent brightness over 100 wet-dry cycles, with less than 4% variation. It responds rapidly—within 0.1 seconds—fading visibly in seconds after contact with water. Lead author Chaeyeong Ryu said, “We improved brightness by designing the light pathways inside the hydrogel, without changing the nanocrystals. This makes the material ideal for moisture-triggered devices.” Professor Lee added, “The ability to program the color and pattern of the hydrogel microdome, combined with simple manufacturing, opens new paths for security, sensors, and displays across industries.” The findings of this research have been published in Advanced Functional Materials on April 20, 2026. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). Journal Reference Chaeyeong Ryu, Byungcheon Yoo, Seunghun Lee, et al ., “Speckle-Engineered Upconversion Amplification in Nanoemulsion-Templated Hydrogel Microdomes,” Adv. Funct. Mater. , (2026).

2026.05.26

Researchers Find New Way to Rebuild Organic Semiconductor Backbones

Abstract Iterative syntheses—repeating sequences of the same reactions to construct complex molecules—can facilitate the synthesis of specific classes of small molecules with structural redundancies, including acenes. Despite the prevalence of zigzag edges in the structures of acenes, few examples that effectively manipulate the edge configurations of acenes exist. In this study, the rationally designed iterative synthesis of three pentacene derivatives with continuous boron–oxygen bonds at the zigzag edges is reported. The simple and efficient two-step iteration employed ipso iodination with a trimethylsilyl group as the directing group and Suzuki cross-coupling/condensation reactions. Because of the fundamental role of pentacene derivatives in a broad spectrum of electronic applications, these findings are valuable across a diverse range of chemical and physical disciplines. Researchers at UNIST have introduced a new, efficient way to alter the backbone of organic semiconductors, giving researchers finer control over the molecules used in flexible displays, sensors, solar cells, and other electronic devices. Led by Professors Young S. Park and Seung Kyu Min from the Department of Chemistry, the team created an iterative synthesis method that places boron–oxygen bonds along the edge of pentacene, a well-known organic semiconductor made of five fused benzene rings. Organic semiconductors are valued because they are light, flexible, and chemically tunable. Small changes in a molecule's length, shape, or atomic makeup can shift how it absorbs light, emits light, or transports charge. But chemists have usually tuned these materials by attaching groups to the outside of the molecule. Changing the carbon framework itself has remained much harder. The new method works inside that framework. It inserts oxygen and boron atoms into the pentacene backbone, reshaping the molecule rather than simply decorating its edges. Dr. Sunghwa Jung, the study's first author, said the process relies on a repeated two-step cycle. “Each cycle begins with iodination at a specific site, followed by ring closure using a boron reagent,” he said. “By repeating the sequence, we can build pentacene structures with consecutive boron–oxygen bonds along the molecular edge.” By carefully controlling these cycles, the team synthesized three different pentacene derivatives, each with distinct boron–oxygen arrangements. The molecules absorbed and emitted light at different wavelengths, showing that their optical properties could be tuned through structure. All three also showed fluorescence quantum yields above 0.70, a sign of efficient light emission. The results point to possible uses in light-emitting organic semiconductors, fluorescent sensors, and optoelectronic materials that require bright, efficient emission. “This work gives us a stepwise way to build new acene molecules with consecutive boron–oxygen bonds,” Professor Park said. “Because the process can control both molecular length and arrangement, it expands the structures available for organic semiconductor design.” The study was published online in Angewandte Chemie International Edition on April 16, 2026. It was supported by funding from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). Journal Reference Seonghwa Jeong, Si-In Kim, Jonghwan Lee, et al., “Iterative Synthesis of Pentacene Derivatives with Continuous Boron–Oxygen Bonds,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. , (2026).

2026.05.25

Innovative Nanoscale Design Produces Stronger Signals When Bent

Abstract Second-harmonic generation (SHG) in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides is highly sensitive to mechanical strain, often leading to signal suppression under deformation. Here, we demonstrate reconfigurable SHG in monolayer MoS2 integrated with plasmonic nanoslits, where localized plasmonic fields counteract strain-induced suppression. The plasmonic nanoslits induce strong spatially localized field enhancement, yielding an SHG enhancement of up to 8000, estimated by normalizing the signal to the illumination area, relative to MoS2 on unpatterned Au films. Applying 1.2% compressive strain increases the SHG intensity by approximately threefold relative to the unstrained state, demonstrating effective strain-enabled modulation. Upon mechanical bending, the SHG response is reversibly modulated and remains stable after an initial preconditioning regime, retaining more than 95% of its initial intensity over repeated bending cycles. This strain-adaptive platform demonstrates robust cycling stability and provides a previously unexplored strategy for dynamically reconfigurable nonlinear metasurfaces, enabling applications in wearable sensors, tunable modulators, and compact frequency converters. A collaborative team from UNIST and Ajou University has unveiled a flexible optical device that generates a stronger light signal when bent. This achievement defies the traditional understanding that mechanical deformation diminishes optical performance, paving the way for advanced wearable sensors and flexible photonic systems. Led by Professors Hyeong-Ryeol Park and Seon Namgung of UNIST Department of Physics, alongside Professor Young-Hwan Ahn at Ajou University, the team engineered a device capable of converting incident light into a shorter wavelength. Unlike conventional devices that depend on bulky, thick materials, this ultra-thin structure employs molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a two-dimensional semiconductor only a few atoms thick. While bending MoS2 typically weakens its optical signals, the researchers redesigned the architecture to focus electromagnetic energy within nanoscale gaps—merely 20 nanometers wide—that concentrate fields during compression. When bent inward, these gaps are narrow, amplifying the emitted light. On the other hand, when relaxed, they widen, diminishing the signal. This dynamic modulation renders the device both strain-sensitive and capable of real-time optical control. Experimental results demonstrated that compressing the device by approximately 1.2% increased its second-harmonic output—converting 800 nm light to 400 nm—by nearly threefold. Within these nanoscale gaps, the local electromagnetic field exceeds 8,000 times that of a flat MoS₂ film on gold. Notably, the device maintained over 95% of its initial performance even after 190 bending cycles, with minimal material degradation. “This nanoscale design not only enhances the optical signal but also provides inherent protection for the material,” said lead researcher Sobhagyam Sharma from UNIST. “It offers a straightforward approach to developing flexible sensors that respond to mechanical stress through changes in light emission.” Professor Park added, “This innovation lays the groundwork for deformation sensors that operate via optical signals and offers new insights into strain effects on two-dimensional materials.” The findings were published in Science Advances on May 8, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), and UNIST. Journal Reference Sobhagyam Sharma, Satyabrat Behera, Byung Hee Son, et al ., “Reconfigurable second-harmonic generation via plasmonic nanoslits counteracting strain-induced suppression in monolayer MoS2,” Sci. Adv., (2026).

2026.05.22

Scientists Discover a New Way to Make Drug-Resistant Cancer Treatable Again

Cancer cells survive by repairing damage to their DNA—even damage that would normally be fatal. One of their most important defense systems is homologous recombination, a high-precision repair pathway that fixes broken DNA using key proteins such as RAD51 and CHK1. While therapies such as PARP inhibitors have successfully targeted this vulnerability, many tumors eventually regain their DNA repair ability and become resistant to treatment. A research team, led by Distinguished Professor Kyungjae Myung of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the Center for Genomic Integrity (CGI) within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) at UNIST, in collaboration with Joo-Yong Lee from Chungnam National University, has now uncovered a new strategy to overcome this resistance. Their findings show that cancer cells can be made vulnerable again—not by altering genetic mutations, but by destabilizing the DNA repair machinery itself. In cells, DNA repair proteins are not static. Their levels are tightly regulated to maintain a balance between repair and genome stability. However, the researchers found that this balance can be deliberately disrupted. Through a cell-based screening approach designed to identify modulators of replication stress responses, the team discovered a small molecule, called UNI418. When applied to cancer cells, UNI418 caused a significant reduction in key DNA repair proteins, including RAD51 and CHK1. As these proteins were depleted, the cells lost their ability to efficiently repair DNA damage. To understand how this happens, the researchers examined how these proteins are controlled. They found that UNI418 activates a protein degradation system known as the Cul4A ubiquitin ligase complex, which tags specific proteins for destruction. This effectively dismantles the DNA repair system from within. Co-corresponding author Professor Joo-Yong Lee stated, "We identified a mechanism in which key DNA repair proteins are actively degraded inside the cell. This provides a new way to regulate homologous recombination beyond genetic mutations." The team further traced how this degradation pathway is triggered. UNI418 disrupts a signaling pathway involved in inositol phosphate metabolism, reducing the levels of a molecule called IP6. Under normal conditions, IP6 suppresses Cul4A activity. When IP6 levels drop, this suppression is lifted, allowing the degradation system to become active. As a result, Cul4A—together with its adapter protein WDR5—targets DNA repair proteins such as RAD51 for degradation, effectively shutting down homologous recombination. Functionally, this creates a state similar to DNA repair deficiency, even in cancer cells that had previously restored their repair capacity. This finding is particularly important for overcoming resistance to PARP inhibitors, one of the major challenges in current cancer therapy. The researchers tested whether this approach could improve treatment outcomes. In multiple cell-based experiments, UNI418 significantly increased the sensitivity of cancer cells to PARP inhibitors. Notably, it was also effective in PARP inhibitor-resistant cancer cells, restoring their responsiveness to treatment. Co-corresponding author Director Myung added, “By weakening the DNA repair system, we can re-sensitize tumors that have become resistant to existing therapies. This suggests a new strategy for expanding the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors.” The team further validated these findings in animal models. In tumor xenograft experiments, UNI418 suppressed tumor growth, particularly when combined with the PARP inhibitor Olaparib. Importantly, this effect was observed even in models that mimic treatment-resistant cancers. These results indicate that cancer cells remain dependent on DNA repair systems even after developing resistance—and that disrupting protein stability can expose this vulnerability. Beyond its therapeutic implications, the study also reveals a new biological connection between cellular metabolism and DNA repair. By linking IP6 signaling to the Cul4A-mediated protein degradation pathway, the work uncovers a previously unrecognized mechanism regulating genome stability. Co-corresponding author Director Myung remarked, "This study demonstrates that controlling the stability of DNA repair proteins can directly impact cancer cell survival. It also highlights a new therapeutic direction for overcoming drug resistance." Ultimately, the findings suggest that drug-resistant cancers can be made vulnerable again—not by changing their genes, but by dismantling the systems they rely on to repair DNA. Although UNI418 itself will require further development, the mechanism identified in this study provides a promising foundation for next-generation combination therapies. The findings of this research have been published in Nature Communications on April 4, 2026. Kyungjae Myung Distinguished Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNIST Director, IBS Center for Genomic Integrity (CGI) E: kmyung@ibs.re.kr William I. Suh IBS Public Relations Team E: willisuh@ibs.re.kr Story Source Materials provided by the Institute of Basic Science . Journal Reference Seon-gyeong Lee, Yuri Seo, Seula Jeong, et al., "Targeting IP6 signaling to destabilize homologous recombination proteins to overcome PARP inhibitor resistance," Nat. Commun., (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-71421-z

2026.05.21