World-renowned physiologist and systems biology expert Professor Denis Noble (see Profile Attachment 1) was appointed as the first Chair Professor of the Biomedical Engineering Department at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) on the 17th. Professor Nobel will contribute to biological research and talent development at DGIST’s Biomedical Engineering Department starting in February 2025. He will first meet students on February 24th during a special lecture at DGIST, titled Genes Are Not the Blueprint for Life, where he will share his research philosophy and vision for the future.
Professor Noble is a physiologist and a pioneer of systems biology who developed the world’s first Virtual Heart in the 1960s, laying the foundation for modern cardiac electrophysiology. Moving beyond genetic determinism, which holds that DNA determines everything, he introduced an integrative perspective, proposing that organisms actively generate changes to adapt to their external environment. This perspective helped shape a new paradigm in the life sciences. In his book The Music of Life, he shared his insight that living organisms should be understood as the product of interactions between cells, tissues, and their environment. Recently, he gained significant academic recognition for challenging genetic reductionism in a debate with Richard Dawkins, author of the global bestseller The Selfish Gene.
Professor Noble has actively explored new possibilities for healing at the intersection of the life sciences and philosophy, developing a deep connection with Korea. In 2019, he visited Korea to discuss the integration of Buddhist philosophy and life sciences, continuing his academic exchange with the Korean scientific community. Notably, he has examined the alignment between Korea’s Buddhist worldview and his systems biology research while consistently seeking opportunities for collaboration with Korean researchers.
As the first Chair Professor in the Biomedical Engineering Department at DGIST, Professor Noble will contribute to the education of undergraduate and graduate students, aiming to nurture the next generation of scientific and technological talent. He will commence his role with a special lecture on February 24, 2025, where he will introduce his research philosophy and vision to DGIST students, furthering his academic exchange in the field of systems biology.
The Biomedical Engineering department at DGIST was established to integrate life sciences and engineering, advancing medical and biomedical technologies while achieving world-class research on major diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and neurological disorders. Notably, the first incoming students include those with medical doctor (MD) licenses, who will actively engage in research, further strengthening the integration of clinical practice with engineering and science. Collaboration between Professor Noble, a leading expert in systems biology, and MD researchers is highly anticipated, as it is expected to drive new life sciences research that moves beyond traditional genetic reductionism.
DGIST President Kunwoo Lee stated, “Professor Denis Noble is a pioneer in systems biology, and his research and educational philosophy will greatly contribute to DGIST’s goal of becoming a globally recognized research university. I believe his wealth of experience and insights will not only strengthen DGIST’s research capabilities but also inspire our students in new ways.
With the appointment of Professor Denis Noble, DGIST plans to actively recruit world-renowned scholars in the future to strengthen its research and educational capabilities.
