The Cell and Tissue Engineering Institute was established in June 2005 as an affiliated institute of the Catholic Institute for Medical Science under the Catholic Central Medical Center, and was promoted to a university-affiliated research institute in September of the same year.

Modern science is advancing rapidly, and most disciplines tend to become more specialized and fragmented. However, this trend can excessively narrow expertise and limit the ability to respond effectively to complex and diverse real-world problems. Interdisciplinary research has emerged as an approach to overcome these limitations.

Interdisciplinary research is an approach in which different academic fields share research outcomes and integrate them from new perspectives, seeking more creative and holistic solutions. This approach enables the creation of new convergent disciplines capable of leading an era of change and innovation.

Recognizing this need, the Catholic University  of Korea actively promotes interdisciplinary research exchanges, and the establishment of the Cell and Tissue Engineering Institute exemplifies this effort.

Advanced medicine today goes beyond simple drug treatments to the development of cell and gene therapies. Advances in stem cell extraction and differentiation techniques provide new possibilities for treating intractable diseases. However, cells alone are often insufficient to ensure safety as therapeutic agents; appropriate carriers and scaffolds are needed to support and deliver the cells, thereby maximizing therapeutic efficacy.

In this context, the convergence of materials engineering with cell and tissue science plays a pivotal role in the development of cell and tissue therapies. Cell & Tissue Engineering is poised to become a key area in the advancement of future medical technology. It also serves as an essential foundation for the commercialization of stem cell differentiation technologies actively pursued by the university.

In conclusion, the establishment of the Cell and Tissue Engineering Institute represents a significant leap in securing core research capabilities through the convergence of medicine, life sciences, and engineering, while contributing to the treatment of intractable diseases and the extension of human life.