The person
Saeyhun Kim is mainly driven by his curiosity and the desire to contribute to solving important problems. “I love uncovering secrets,” he says. The young researcher is particularly fascinated by microbiology. During an exchange program at the University of Cambridge (UK), the Korean scientist discovered the potential of bacteria as biocatalysts and for curing infections. Kim is currently pursuing a combined master’s and doctoral program in chemistry at the University of Chicago, USA, where he is continuing his research.
The vision
Kim investigated whether bacterial cells can be electrically stimulated. He discovered that this is possible with certain bacteria and a specific acidic pH. On this basis, he developed a type of plaster for the skin that uses electrical impulses to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The secret is the pH: “It causes ions to migrate in and out of the bacteria. This prevents them from forming biofilms, which can cause serious infections.” Kim’s discovery is an important step for biomedical research.
