On the afternoon of the 29th of last month, at the 'Cytiva APAC Fast Trak Center' in the Songdo Bio Cluster, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. Elementary and middle school students participating in the 2025 Korea Youth Bio Academy listened to researchers from Cytiva Korea explaining how the 'wave cell culture system' cultivates cells by shaking the culture medium.

The students observed the process of artificially cultivating cells and the procedure of separating and purifying desired components from the cultured cells, stating, "We got a sense of what life science companies do." Seo-woo Jung (12, 6th grade, Daedo Elementary School, Seoul) also said, "I was able to understand how stem cell-based treatments for incurable diseases are developed," smiling brightly.

● Visit to Global Companies… “Saw the Future of Life Sciences”

Jointly hosted by Dong-A Ilbo and Channel A, and sponsored by Incheon City and Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, the Youth Bio Academy was held around the Songdo Bio Cluster from the 29th to the 30th of last month. Over the two days, more than 1,000 youths and parents participated.

Students visited global bio companies such as Charles River Laboratories, Cytiva, and EDGC to explore processes from cell culture to pharmaceutical production. They then experienced various practical exercises such as cell analysis, protein experiments, and quantum computing demonstrations at laboratories of Yonsei University, Gachon University, Inha University, and Ghent University, directly confirming their areas of interest.

Hong-jin Min, CEO of Charles River Laboratories Korea (55), welcomed students at the Songdo Technopark IT Center office. CEO Min emphasized, "Microorganisms exist everywhere. It is essential to understand why detecting microorganisms is crucial in the pharmaceutical process."

At the same time, a 'WST-1' experiment comparing first-generation chemical anticancer drugs and second-generation targeted anticancer drugs was conducted at the College of Pharmacy laboratory at Yonsei University's International Campus. Dan-woo Kim (12, 6th grade, Pyoseon Elementary School, Jeju) said, "I am very interested in AI and mathematics, so I wanted to see life science technology firsthand," adding, "I learned about the current level of biotechnology by learning techniques for predicting cancer through body fluid analysis at Inha University's practice."

Parents also expressed satisfaction. Ji-hye Lee (42, parent of Meonwoogeum Elementary School, Incheon) said, "I applied as a group after seeing reviews on the Songdo mom's café," adding, "The practical program tailored to the youth's perspective seems to be a great help in finding their career paths."

● From Experiments to Talk Concerts

Celebrating its fifth year, the Youth Bio Academy has established itself as a pathway to connect the dreams of aspiring biotechnologists to actual career paths. Yoo Yoo-jin (22, 2nd year at Ghent University), who assisted with the spinach pigment separation experiment at Ghent University on the 30th, said, "There are students who learned about our university through the academy and actually enrolled."

The 'Talk Concert with Science Communicators,' held for the first time this year, featured Professor Joo-hyun Ahn from the Department of Science Education at Seoul National University and Professor Eung-bin Kim from the Department of Systems Biology at Yonsei University as speakers. The professors said, "We were surprised to see students grasping industry trends and asking questions," adding, "We felt that future talents leading the bio industry are certainly growing."

At the Incheon Global Campus lobby, experience programs such as 'Making Your Own Perfume,' 'Observing Microstructures with an Electron Microscope,' 'Making Blood Type Base Sequence Bracelets,' and 'Creating Aqua Chemical Gardens' were conducted, receiving great response. Incheon Mayor Jeong-bok Yoo remarked, "I hope you learn about the present and future of the industry at the Songdo Bio Cluster and pursue your dreams," in his congratulatory speech. Other officials, including Won-seok Yoon, Commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, also visited the site to encourage the students.

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