Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital

Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital has been designated as a 'Medical-Related Infection-Resistant Bacteria Pathogen Biobank (Hallym Biobank)' by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The bank will be led by Dr. Yong Kyun Kim, the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital.

This designation is part of the KDCA's project to designate biobanks for bacteria resources in specific fields. The newly designated bank at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital will be involved in collecting, analyzing, managing, distributing, researching, and adding high-value to BSL-2(Biological Safety Level 2) bacteria such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria, contributing to the advancement of healthcare.

Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital has been seeking solutions to antibiotic resistance in the field of digital healthcare and consistently has been enhancing its research capabilities. In July 2023, the Hallym Hospital became the first hospital in Korea to establish the Hallym Antibiotic Resistant Center. The center has been actively engaged in research such as developing AI algorithms for optimal antibiotic dosage and usage recommendations, establishing a network for community infection management, and creating AI algorithms for predicting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Moreover, in collaboration with Hallym University Medical Center's Doheon Institute for Digital Innovation in Medicine (DIDIM), the center is conducting research on precision antibiotic treatment by combining digital healthcare and clinical data from all affiliated hospitals in HUMC. Being recognized for these efforts by KDCA, the hospital has received national designation as a biobank for antibiotic-resistant bacteria resources.

Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital will collect and manage diverse antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It will create a research-friendly environment by facilitating the utilization and distribution of pathogen resources. Also, it will integrate genetic, clinical, and epidemiological information of pathogen resources. The hospital will secure and construct databases for OMICS data. Additionally, it will enhance the value of domestic pathogen resources. The hospital will activate international research collaboration by building a global network with international pathogen resource banks.

Director Yong Kyun Kim of Hallym Biobank at Hallym Antibiotic Resistant Center, stated, "As the nationally designated Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Pathogen Biobank, Hallym Biobank will strive to create an environment where domestic researchers can focus on their studies by securing high-quality antibiotic-resistant bacteria pathogen resources.”

He also mentioned, “We aim to establish networks with world leading institutions, and lay the foundation for global collaborative research. We will contribute to creating valuable outcomes such as precision antibiotic treatment to overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance that is emerging around the world.”

By Hyuk Joo Lee, Int’l Cooperation Team, HUMC (hyukjoolee@hallym.or.kr)