Research labs at Korea's QS Top 10 universities including SNU, KAIST, and Yonsei.
Professor Hyeon Soo Kim's research lab specializes in cellular metabolism and signaling pathways, with a primary focus on the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in regulating glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and muscle function. The lab investigates myokines—such as irisin, meteorin-like protein (Metrnl), and other endogenous factors released from skeletal muscle—exploring their metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects. Using in vitro and in vivo models, the lab examines how natural compounds (e.g., quercetin, curcumin, retinoic acid) and drugs (e.g., metformin) modulate AMPK and downstream targets like p38 MAPK, PAK, HDAC5, and FoxO3a to influence glucose uptake, apoptosis, and muscle atrophy. The overarching goal is to uncover novel therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and sarcopenia.
Professor Byung-Ho Yoon's research lab specializes in the design and fabrication of advanced porous ceramics, with a focus on freeze-casting techniques using camphene as a template. The lab develops highly aligned, hierarchical porous structures—particularly silicon carbide (SiC) and hydroxyapatite-based ceramics—tailored for biomedical applications such as bone tissue engineering and for structural or functional materials in extreme environments. Key innovations include in situ growth of SiC nanowires via vapor–liquid–solid mechanisms and the creation of large, interconnected pore channels (>100 μm) to enhance cellular infiltration and tissue ingrowth. The lab also explores the biological implications of materials in clinical contexts, such as the impact of thyroid hormone suppression therapy on bone mineral density in postmenopausal patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.
Professor Dong Jun Park's research lab specializes in biomedical and materials science, focusing on the development of advanced diagnostic techniques using deep learning for plant disease and pest detection, the role of cancer stem cells in immune evasion, and the optimization of biometric systems like finger vein recognition. The lab also investigates cellular mechanisms in wound healing and extracellular vesicle communication in metabolic diseases, alongside the synthesis and application of functional nanomaterials for biomedical delivery and regenerative medicine. Their work bridges nanotechnology, cell biology, and artificial intelligence to address challenges in healthcare and agriculture.
Professor Ik Jae Lee's research lab focuses on the intersection of systemic inflammation, muscle health, and clinical outcomes in oncology and autoimmune diseases. The lab investigates sarcopenia and systemic inflammatory markers as prognostic indicators in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, particularly in head and neck cancer, and explores their implications for treatment response and survival. Additional research delves into the pathophysiological roles of coagulation and inflammation markers—such as Gas6 and Protein S—in chronic kidney disease and autoimmune disorders like myasthenia gravis (MG), with a focus on sex-based disparities and treatment optimization. The lab also examines quality of life and long-term outcomes in MG patients, especially in relation to surgical interventions like thymectomy.
Professor Nam Ki Lee's research lab specializes in the theoretical and experimental investigation of biomolecular dynamics and non-canonical nucleic acid structures using advanced single-molecule fluorescence techniques. The lab focuses on understanding conformational transitions in complex biomolecules such as deoxyribozymes and DNA junctions through high-resolution methods like 3c-ALEX and smFRET, enabling real-time observation of folding and functional dynamics. A key research direction involves probing the role of mechanical forces—such as bending and twisting—in inducing structural transitions in DNA, including the formation of Z-DNA. Additionally, the lab explores the design and photophysics of novel fluorescent molecules, particularly dual-emissive single-benzene fluorophores, for applications in bioimaging and white-light emission.
Professor Sung-Phil Kim's research lab specializes in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and affective computing, focusing on translating neural and physiological signals into actionable commands for assistive technologies and human-computer interaction. The lab develops advanced decoding algorithms and multimodal biosignal analysis techniques to enable intuitive control of devices using neural activity (e.g., intracortical EEG) and emotional states (e.g., via EEG, EDA, PPG). Key research directions include real-time neural signal decoding for motor prosthetics, emotion recognition from neurophysiological signals, and the design of adaptive, user-centered BCI systems for real-world applications such as home automation and driving safety. The lab emphasizes clinical translation, aiming to improve quality of life for individuals with motor impairments and to enhance human-machine interaction through affective sensing.
Professor Sungkyu Lee's research lab focuses on public health and health policy, with a strong emphasis on mental health services, substance use behaviors, and health technology access in underserved populations. The lab investigates disparities in healthcare utilization, including hospitalization duration and telehealth adoption, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities. It also explores emerging health products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, evaluating their public health implications and regulatory challenges. Additionally, the lab contributes to biomedical research, particularly in immunology and epigenetics, with a focus on T cell differentiation and chromatin regulation.
Professor Wonchae Choe's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying genome stability and cellular homeostasis, with a particular emphasis on telomere maintenance and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in cellular differentiation. The lab investigates the dual roles of DNA processing enzymes like Dna2 in telomere replication and capping, as well as the impact of ER stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) on adipogenesis and metabolic regulation. By integrating molecular biology, cell biology, and systems-level analysis, the lab explores how cellular stress responses influence chromatin dynamics and metabolic disease pathways. Their work bridges fundamental DNA metabolism with translational implications in aging and metabolic disorders.
Professor Kyoungmi Kim's research lab specializes in translational biomedical research, focusing on the development of non-invasive biomarkers for early cancer detection—particularly renal cell carcinoma—through urine metabolomics. The lab also pioneers the application of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology in treating non-genetic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, by targeting overexpressed genes. Additionally, the lab contributes to the creation of advanced animal models using CRISPR technology to accelerate disease research and therapeutic development. Their work bridges molecular diagnostics, gene editing, and metabolic profiling to improve clinical outcomes.
Professor Jung-Ryul Lee's research lab specializes in advanced structural health monitoring and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technologies, with a focus on ultrasonic sensing, fiber optic sensors (particularly fiber Bragg gratings), and smart materials for aerospace and aviation applications. The lab develops innovative diagnostic systems for real-time detection of structural defects—such as disbonding, delamination, and blade damage—using ultrasonic wave propagation, optical fiber sensors, and machine learning-based image analysis. Their work bridges electromechanical sensing, materials integrity assessment, and intelligent monitoring systems for critical aeronautical components.
Professor Daeyoup Lee's research lab focuses on chromatin biology and gene regulation, with a central emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms controlling transcription. The lab investigates how post-translational modifications of histones—such as acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation—coordinate gene expression during development and disease. Key research directions include the regulation of RNA polymerase II elongation, the role of chromatin remodeling complexes like SWI/SNF in tumor suppression, and the functional crosstalk between histone modifications and transcription factors such as p53 and HPV E2. The lab also develops innovative molecular tools and bioinformatics pipelines, such as the Octopus-toolkit, to enable high-throughput epigenomic and transcriptomic data analysis.
Professor Young-Si Jun's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced carbon nitride-based nanomaterials for sustainable energy and environmental applications. The lab focuses on developing mesoporous and low-dimensional graphitic carbon nitrides through innovative templating and cooperative assembly strategies to enhance photocatalytic performance in hydrogen evolution, pollutant degradation, and ion sensing. A key research direction involves creating multifunctional materials that serve as both catalysts and sensors, enabling applications in water splitting and environmental monitoring. The lab also explores the integration of metal ions and functional dopants to tune electronic and optical properties for high sensitivity and selectivity in chemical sensing.
Professor Da Young Lee's research lab specializes in bioactive natural compounds derived from medicinal mushrooms, tropical fruits, and traditional herbal medicines, with a focus on their therapeutic potential in metabolic diseases and cancer. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of these compounds in modulating insulin secretion, protecting pancreatic β-cells, and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Key research directions include the anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects of natural products such as cordycepin, α-mangostin, and noni fruit juice components.
Professor Ok Hee Jeon's research lab focuses on the role of cellular senescence in age-related diseases, particularly osteoarthritis, with an emphasis on understanding the mechanisms by which senescent cells and their secreted factors—such as extracellular vesicles and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype—contribute to joint degeneration. The lab investigates senolytic therapies to selectively eliminate senescent cells and explores how these interventions influence tissue repair, inflammation, and pain in aging joints. Utilizing human primary cells, animal models, and advanced techniques like proteomics and miRNA profiling, the lab aims to develop targeted regenerative and anti-aging therapies. A key focus is on the crosstalk between senescence, the immune system, and the microbiome in systemic aging and joint homeostasis.
Professor Soonhoi Ha's research lab specializes in hardware-software codesign methodologies for real-time multimedia systems, focusing on efficient design automation, scheduling, and synthesis of heterogeneous embedded systems. The lab develops advanced codesign environments such as PeaCE and PEACE that enable seamless integration from functional simulation to system synthesis, leveraging formal models of computation for improved design productivity. Key research directions include compile-time scheduling strategies for dataflow graphs, optimization of execution and communication patterns in parallel processors, and minimizing idle time and makespan in data-dependent iterative applications. The lab’s work emphasizes practical, performance-driven solutions for embedded systems with stringent timing constraints.
Professor Insu Park's research lab specializes in the design and application of advanced nanomaterials for sustainable energy and environmental technologies. The lab focuses on developing recyclable, highly active metal nanoparticle catalysts—particularly based on copper, rhodium, iridium, and platinum—for key chemical transformations such as cycloaddition reactions, hydrogenation, and electro-oxidation. In parallel, the lab explores photonic crystal structures for integrated optical devices, demonstrating a multidisciplinary approach that bridges nanomaterials science, catalysis, and photonics. The overarching research direction emphasizes the creation of efficient, reusable, and environmentally benign materials for energy conversion and advanced functional systems.
Professor Jae-Yong Chung's research lab specializes in clinical pharmacology, with a focus on pharmacogenomics, drug disposition, and the impact of genetic polymorphisms on drug response. The lab investigates how genetic variations in drug transporters (e.g., OATP1B1, OCT1, OCT2) and metabolizing enzymes (e.g., UGT2B7, UGT2B15) influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of commonly prescribed drugs such as statins, benzodiazepines, and metformin. The lab also explores the role of nuclear receptors (e.g., PXR) and drug-drug interactions, particularly in the context of glucose homeostasis and metabolic disease. More recently, the lab has expanded into digital therapeutics, applying clinical pharmacology principles to software-based interventions.
Professor Hak-Jin Kim's research lab specializes in precision agriculture and smart farming technologies, focusing on the development of advanced sensing, imaging, and signal processing techniques for real-time monitoring of crop growth and soil conditions. The lab integrates unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), RGB-D cameras, ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), and multisensor fusion systems to enable non-destructive, high-resolution assessment of biophysical and nutritional parameters in crops. Key research directions include automated plant phenotyping, hydroponic nutrient monitoring, and robust positioning for agricultural robots, with an emphasis on data-driven models such as convolutional neural networks and artificial neural networks for improved accuracy and efficiency.
Professor Wonho Jhe's research lab specializes in nanoscale physics and interfacial phenomena, focusing on quantum electrodynamics in confined spaces, capillary forces in nanofluidics, and the mechanical properties of nanometric water clusters. The lab employs advanced atomic force microscopy techniques—particularly quartz tuning-fork-based AFM—to probe and manipulate nanoscale liquid bridges and water clusters with sub-nanometer precision. Their work bridges quantum vacuum effects, such as Casimir interactions and vacuum-induced energy shifts, with practical applications in nanofluidics, low-voltage liquid ejection, and non-contact nanofabrication under ambient conditions. The lab uniquely integrates quantum optics, surface science, and nanomechanics to explore fundamental interactions at the nanoscale.
Professor Jong Soo Lee's research lab specializes in clinical and translational studies in ophthalmology, urology, and hematology, with a focus on improving surgical outcomes and understanding disease mechanisms. Key research directions include optimizing refractive surgery through implantable collamer lens technology, enhancing robotic prostatectomy techniques for better functional recovery, and investigating the impact of body composition on prostate cancer prognosis. The lab also explores molecular mechanisms in hemoglobin switching, particularly the role of transcription factors like EKLF in globin gene regulation, aiming to inform gene therapy strategies for hemoglobinopathies.
