About Jung-Rok's research on magneto-nanosensors:

Magnetic immunoassay (MIA) is a novel type of diagnostic immunoassay using magnetic beads. Our magneto-nanosensors utilize the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect to detect the presence of biological analyte labeled with magnetic beads. The magneto-nanosensors have very low detection limit of analytes because the biological samples naturally lack any detectable magnetic content, providing a sensing platform with a very low background level. With this feature, detection of proteins with femtomolar concentrations has been demonstrated using the magneto-nanosensors.

Using these magneto-nanosensors, the tumor and host responses in mouse models have been studied by monitoring concentrations of cytokines in the serum samples over time. The magneto-nanosensors can be also used to find the biomarkers for a certain disease, and to monitor cellular responses to antigen challenges or drug treatments.