in “2007 Outstanding Research Achievements” by Ministry of Science and Technology The research results of Professors Pai Hyun-sook and Cho Jin-won of the Department of Biology were listed in the 50 Outstanding Research Achievements for 2007 announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology and Korea Science and Engineering Foundation. Professor Yim Sung-mo of the Department of History was among the Korea Research Foundation list for Outstanding Achievements. Professor Pai Hyun-sook (Biology) Studying the Control Mechanism of Vegetable Cell Apoptosis of Hexokinase Attached to Mitochondria Professor Pai used the virus-mediated gene expression control system in plants to show that when the hexokinase existing in the exine of plant cells are repressed apoptosis is induced, and that when the hexokinase are caused to function excessively apoptosis is delayed. This means that hexokinase is the connecting point between glucose metabolism and apoptosis. Hexokinase is an enzyme that functions in the first stage of glycolysis in the cytoplasm, and is the catalyst for inducing phosphorylation of gluscose. It is an important protein not only for metabolism but also for signal transduction. Professor Pai’s research added apoptosis to the list of its functions. This research is expected to greatly aid the development of tolerance to environmental stress in plants by creating a control system for vegetable cell apoptosis caused by environmental oxidative stress. It may also be possible to use these results to use genetic engineering to develop new types of plants with tolerance to environmental disasters. Professor Cho Jin-won Determines Role of O-GlcNAc in Regulating p53 Activity and Stability Professor Cho discovered the biological significance of O-GlcNAc modification. The issue of understanding the function of the O-GlcNAc in p53 was a problem which had not been solved for the past ten years. Professor Cho succeeded in providing the answer: the O-GlcNAc of p53 is connected to amino acid serine and increases the stability of p53. He also proposed a new line of research in which the role of O-GlcNAc in cancer and diabetes will be clarified to cure these illnesses. Professor Cho’s research was published in the October 2006 issue of Nature Cell Biology and as the November 2006 Special Article of Functional Glycomics Gateway. Professor Yim Sung-mo (History) Understanding Interaction and Consciousness in East Asia through the Historical Study of Travel Professor Yim studied the impact of travel on the cultural history of East Asia. His research straddled not only the East-Asian world of China and Japan but also the nomadic cultures of continental Asia and the peripheries of Asia including Manchuria, the Ryukyu Islands, and Taiwan. His research enabled him to explore the characteristics of understanding space, various encounters and consciousness, and shifting identities, through which means he widened the boundaries of understanding East Asian history. The significance of this study lies in the fact that it brought together the fragmented research that had been done by specific geographic areas of limited historical periods. The results have been partially published in various journals accredited by the Korea Research Foundation and will soon be published in book form.