ソウル大学、KAIST、延世大学など韓国QSトップ10大学の研究室情報です。
Professor Beom Jin Lim's research lab focuses on the pathophysiology of kidney and liver fibrosis, with a particular emphasis on molecular mechanisms underlying glomerular diseases such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and IgA nephropathy. The lab investigates the role of podocyte injury, inflammatory signaling (e.g., TLR4/MAPK/MCP-1), and fibrotic pathways involving growth factors like PDGFRα in disease progression. Recent work also explores novel therapeutic strategies, including SGLT2 inhibitors and AI-based biomarker prediction for cancer immunotherapy, reflecting a translational approach from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications. The lab integrates preclinical models, cell culture systems, and advanced imaging to dissect disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets.
Professor Sok-woo Choi's research lab focuses on synaptic plasticity and its role in learning, memory, and neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular emphasis on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying long-term depression (LTD) and potentiation (LTP) in the striatum and hippocampus. The lab investigates presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms of synaptic modification, including neurotransmitter release regulation, calcium signaling, and astrocyte-neuron interactions via gliotransmitters such as glutamate. Using advanced electrophysiological and proteomic techniques, the lab explores synaptic dysfunction in disease models, including Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease, especially in early pathological stages. Their work bridges synaptic physiology with neural circuit function and disease pathogenesis.
Professor Eun-kyoung Seo's research lab specializes in natural product chemistry and pharmacology, focusing on the isolation, structural elucidation, and biological evaluation of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. The lab investigates natural compounds with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, particularly those derived from plants such as *Vatica diospyroides*, *Cratoxylum sumatranum*, *Zingiber cassumunar*, and *Curcuma phaeocaulis*. A key research direction involves understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of these compounds, especially in diseases like neuropathic pain and cancer, using biochemical and cell-based assays. The lab also explores the application of advanced techniques such as atomic layer deposition in materials science, demonstrating a multidisciplinary approach bridging natural products and nanotechnology.
Professor Hyung Woo Kim's research lab specializes in clinical and translational research focusing on chronic kidney disease (CKD), inflammatory biomarkers in pancreatic cancer, and the impact of dietary factors on cardiometabolic and renal health. The lab also investigates environmental health impacts, such as extreme weather events and their health consequences, and applies machine learning to improve clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients. Their work bridges epidemiology, nephrology, oncology, and public health with a strong emphasis on predictive modeling and real-world data analysis.
Professor Sung-Joon Ahn's research lab specializes in vitreo-retinal diseases and infectious uveitis, with a strong focus on ocular toxocariasis, hypertensive retinopathy, and surgical outcomes in retinal disorders. The lab investigates the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of posterior segment diseases, particularly emphasizing serological diagnostics, intraocular drug kinetics, and surgical optimization in vitrectomized eyes. Key research directions include improving visual prognosis through early intervention and refining surgical techniques such as internal limiting membrane peeling in epiretinal membrane surgery.
Professor Sung Kyu Park's research lab focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying age-related diseases, particularly age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with a strong emphasis on proteolytic enzymes like HTRA1 and their substrates in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The lab also investigates the impact of environmental toxins—such as raw carp bile—on organ toxicity, highlighting rare but severe causes of acute renal and hepatic failure. In addition, the lab explores the intersection of language acquisition and cognitive development in bilingual children, particularly regarding syntactic and pragmatic structures. These diverse research directions reflect a commitment to understanding molecular pathology, environmental health risks, and neurocognitive mechanisms in human disease and development.
Professor Hyungsuk Lee's research lab specializes in mechanobiology and biofabrication, focusing on how mechanical cues—from substrate topography and acoustic waves to extracellular matrix properties—influence cell behavior, tissue development, and disease progression. The lab develops innovative micro- and nanofabrication techniques, such as acoustophoretic patterning and optical tweezers-based rheology, to engineer functional tissues and probe cellular mechanics with high precision. Key research directions include vascular tissue engineering, nuclear mechanotransduction in cardiac cells, and the mechano-regulation of skin cell responses, all aimed at advancing regenerative medicine and drug discovery.
Professor Young-Duk Cho's research lab specializes in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases, with a strong focus on advanced endoscopic and radiological imaging techniques for diagnosis and intervention. The lab investigates biomarkers such as AFP, AFP-L3, and PIVKA-II for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma, and explores the role of intraductal ultrasound (IDUS) and MRCP in biliary pancreatitis and pancreatic neoplasms. The lab also examines inflammatory mechanisms in post-cardiac arrest syndrome using in vitro neutrophil models, highlighting its interest in ischemia-reperfusion injury and immune response. Additionally, the lab contributes to trauma imaging, particularly the use of IV-contrast CT in detecting hollow viscus injuries after blunt abdominal trauma.
Professor Hyeong-Cheol Yang's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cellular toxicity, particularly in the context of dental materials and metal ions, with an emphasis on oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular responses in mammalian and yeast models. The lab investigates the impact of resin monomers and metal ions on cell viability, differentiation, and organelle function, especially in dental pulp cells and osteoblasts. A key research direction involves understanding how reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydroxyl radicals, contribute to cytotoxicity and impaired tissue repair, and explores protective strategies such as antioxidant treatments and surface modifications of drug delivery systems. The lab also examines the role of cellular structures like actin cables and mitochondria in maintaining cell polarity and homeostasis under stress conditions.
Professor Hyun Young Kim's research lab focuses on advancing biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine through innovative materials and clinical applications. Key research directions include the development of bioresorbable electronic surgical meshes for real-time postoperative monitoring and targeted drug delivery, the investigation of environmental pollutants—particularly fine dust—on neurological health and systemic inflammation, and the application of advanced imaging and minimally invasive techniques in periodontal regeneration and congenital disease prognosis. The lab integrates materials science, clinical medicine, and biomedical engineering to address critical challenges in surgical outcomes, neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, and early disease detection.
Professor Hongsoo Kim's research lab specializes in long-term care policy, geriatric assessment, and health services research, with a focus on improving care coordination and outcomes for older adults with complex health needs. The lab investigates the reliability and implementation of standardized assessment tools—such as interRAI instruments—in diverse care settings, particularly in Asian contexts like South Korea. It also examines the impact of long-term care insurance systems, nurse practice environments, and socioeconomic determinants on health outcomes among older populations. The lab’s work bridges health policy, gerontology, and health services research to support person-centered, evidence-based long-term care systems.
Professor Kim Dong-hwan's research lab specializes in translational biomedical research, focusing on clinical imaging biomarkers, molecular topology, and genetic factors in hematological and liver diseases. The lab investigates non-invasive imaging techniques—such as ultrasonography and MRI—for assessing intracranial pressure and hepatocellular carcinoma, while also exploring the structural and functional aspects of complex molecular architectures like high-crossing molecular knots. Additionally, the lab examines genetic polymorphisms, particularly in immune and apoptosis-related genes, to understand their roles in post-transplant complications and leukemia pathogenesis.
Professor Han Min Woo's research lab specializes in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering of cyanobacteria to develop biosolar cell factories for sustainable production of high-value chemicals from CO₂ and sunlight. The lab focuses on engineering photosynthetic microbes to convert carbon dioxide directly into isoprenoids, biofuels, and other industrially relevant compounds through advanced genetic tools and pathway optimization. Key innovations include the development of CRISPRi systems, synthetic gene expression platforms (e.g., SyneBrick vectors), and metabolic pathways for efficient biosynthesis. The lab's work aims to address global challenges in climate change, energy security, and sustainable chemical production.
Professor Junyoung Lee's research lab specializes in biomedical and health-related data science, focusing on diagnostic test accuracy, metabolic disease mechanisms, and cardiovascular risk prediction. The lab employs advanced statistical modeling—such as hierarchical and bivariate meta-analytic methods—to evaluate medical diagnostics, while also investigating the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy and the clinical implications of microalbuminuria. Additionally, the lab explores behavioral aspects of digital communication, particularly emoticon and sticker usage in mobile messaging, through qualitative methods. The integration of clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, and health technology assessment defines the lab’s interdisciplinary approach.
Professor Changheui Jang's research lab specializes in advanced materials development with a focus on high-temperature oxidation resistance and functional coatings. The lab investigates high-strength FeCrAl alloys for use in advanced energy systems, particularly under supercritical CO₂ environments, emphasizing oxide scale formation and microstructural evolution. Another key research direction involves electrodeposition of chromium and nickel-based coatings, aiming to enhance their corrosion and wear resistance through fundamental understanding of deposition mechanisms and microstructure control. The lab integrates materials characterization, oxidation science, and surface engineering to develop durable, high-performance materials for energy and industrial applications.
Professor Jaewon Choi's research lab specializes in advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly laser-based additive manufacturing processes such as Directed Material Deposition (DMD) and laser cladding. The lab focuses on modeling and optimizing fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and solidification phenomena to enhance process stability, part quality, and dimensional accuracy. Additionally, the lab explores human-computer interaction and digital marketing, investigating social presence, trust, and influencer-user relationships in online recommendation systems and e-commerce platforms. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge materials science, computational modeling, and behavioral informatics to advance smart manufacturing and personalized digital services.
Professor Kichul Shin's research lab focuses on the immunological roles of mast cells in chronic inflammatory diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis and parasitic infections. The lab investigates mast cell heterogeneity, protease-mediated inflammation (especially tryptase and mMCP-6), and the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells in autoimmune arthritis. Key research directions include understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of mast cells in joint inflammation and evaluating stem cell-based therapies in clinical and preclinical models.
Professor Sungwoo Park's research lab specializes in computational and theoretical chemistry, with a strong focus on protein folding mechanisms and enzyme catalysis, particularly involving protein disulfide isomerases and their roles in cellular protein homeostasis. The lab also advances computational methods in materials science and machine learning, including the development of novel generative models such as Sphere GAN for stable and accurate image generation. Additionally, the lab contributes to the design of probabilistic programming languages and parallel computing algorithms, emphasizing expressive power and efficiency in high-performance computing environments. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge biochemistry, computational chemistry, and computer science to solve complex problems in molecular systems and data-intensive computing.
Professor Hyeon-Ju Yoo's research lab specializes in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, with a focus on advanced mass spectrometry techniques for structural elucidation of biomolecules. The lab investigates electron-induced fragmentation methods such as electron capture dissociation (ECD), electron transfer dissociation (ETD), and electron-induced dissociation (EID) to study peptides, proteins, and metabolites with high specificity and preservation of labile post-translational modifications. Additionally, the lab develops sensitive LC-MS/MS methods for quantifying biologically relevant molecules like short-chain fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives, contributing to understanding metabolic and inflammatory diseases. The integration of novel ionization and fragmentation strategies enables deeper insights into disease mechanisms, particularly in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and coagulopathies such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Professor Nuri Oh's research lab specializes in the design, synthesis, and application of advanced nanomaterials, with a focus on colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals and gold nanoparticles for optoelectronic and biomedical applications. The lab explores fundamental mechanisms governing nanoparticle behavior in biological systems, including macrophage clearance and exocytosis, to enable safer and more effective nanotherapeutics. Key research directions include the development of dual-functioning nanodevices for energy and information transfer, robust solution-processed nanomaterials for scalable optoelectronics, and bio-inspired nanoparticle architectures for targeted cancer therapy and in vivo clearance. The lab integrates materials chemistry, nanophotonics, and biointerface science to create next-generation functional nanomaterials.
