Research labs at Korea's QS Top 10 universities including SNU, KAIST, and Yonsei.
Professor Seunghwan Lee's research lab focuses on the intersection of immunology, metabolic disease, and neuroimmunology, with a particular emphasis on innate immune responses in viral infections, insulin resistance, and neuroinflammatory conditions. The lab investigates the role of natural killer (NK) cells and macrophage/microglia signaling in infection control, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathic pain, exploring how immune cell dynamics influence systemic and neurological outcomes. A key research direction involves the translational potential of intranasal insulin and cytokine signaling pathways (e.g., IL-12/STAT4 and CSF1R) in treating central nervous system disorders such as dementia and mood disorders. The lab also examines biomarkers like the TyG index and cholesterol variability to predict cardiovascular and metabolic risks in population-level studies.
Professor Hyun Kyu Song's research lab specializes in structural biology and biochemistry, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of protein degradation, autophagy, and metallochaperone systems in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The lab investigates ATP-dependent protease complexes such as HslVU and ClpP, elucidating their activation mechanisms and substrate processing. It also explores key regulatory nodes in autophagy, including the p62/SQSTM1 adapter and ATG12–ATG5 interactions, with a particular emphasis on substrate recognition and cellular signaling integration. Additionally, the lab examines metal ion delivery systems, such as UreE, to understand virulence factor activation in pathogenic bacteria.
Professor Yong Soo Kang's research lab specializes in the development of advanced nanomaterials and functional interfaces for next-generation energy conversion and storage devices. Key research directions include the design of high-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using novel polymer electrolytes, graphene-based electrocatalysts, and tin(IV) oxide nanocrystals with tunable optoelectronic properties. The lab also focuses on proton-selective membranes for redox flow batteries, particularly using microporous polymers like PIM-1 to achieve exceptional selectivity and energy efficiency. Their work emphasizes materials synthesis, surface functionalization, and interfacial engineering to enhance device performance and stability.
Professor Yong-ho Lee's research lab focuses on the pathophysiological mechanisms linking metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with systemic inflammation and cellular stress responses. The lab investigates the role of innate immune activation—particularly the NLRP3 inflammasome—and autophagy dysregulation in driving disease progression. Using clinical, population-based, and preclinical models, the lab explores repurposed drugs like SGLT2 inhibitors and ezetimibe as potential therapeutic agents targeting inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. The research emphasizes translational approaches to identify biomarkers and develop prediction models for early detection and personalized management of metabolic and liver diseases.
Professor Seung-Yeol Park's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular trafficking, glycosylation, and organelle dynamics in cancer progression and metabolic adaptation. The lab investigates how signaling pathways such as Ror2 and metabolic enzymes like ALDH7A1 regulate intracellular transport, Golgi function, and protein secretion to influence tumor cell invasion and survival under stress. A central theme is the role of post-translational modifications—particularly glycosylation— in disease biomarkers and therapeutic protein stability, with translational applications in cancer diagnostics and biopharmaceutical development. The lab integrates cell biology, biochemistry, and glycobiology to uncover novel regulatory nodes in cellular logistics and organelle function.
Professor Lee, Keun-Wook's research lab specializes in translational oncology, focusing on molecular mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal and hematologic malignancies. The lab investigates key signaling pathways such as YAP1 in the Hippo pathway and KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer, aiming to identify biomarkers for prognosis and treatment response. It also explores targeted therapies, including PKC inhibitors like enzastaurin in gastric cancer and novel chemotherapy regimens for aggressive lymphomas such as extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. The lab integrates molecular profiling with clinical outcomes to advance precision oncology.
Professor Hee-Joon Bae's research lab specializes in cerebrovascular disease, with a strong focus on acute ischemic stroke, intracranial atherosclerosis, and white matter hyperintensities. The lab investigates stroke outcomes, risk factors, circadian influences on stroke severity, and in-hospital complications, using large-scale national registries and advanced neuroimaging techniques. Their work emphasizes clinical epidemiology, quality of care metrics, and the development of objective anatomical atlases for cerebral arterial territories to guide diagnosis and treatment.
Professor Cheol-wook Ahn's research lab focuses on the intersection of metabolic health, obesity, and insulin resistance, with a particular emphasis on the role of bone metabolism, adipokines, and body composition in type 2 diabetes and related cardiometabolic disorders. The lab investigates how exercise, hormonal interventions like growth hormone therapy, and lifestyle modifications influence insulin sensitivity, adipose tissue distribution, and vascular health in obese and diabetic populations. Key research directions include the pathophysiological role of osteocalcin and adiponectin, the impact of body fat distribution on metabolic risk, and the development of biomarkers for early detection of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. The lab employs clinical, biochemical, and imaging techniques to explore mechanisms linking metabolism, bone, and cardiovascular health in metabolic disease.
Professor Jihoon Kim's research lab specializes in translational and molecular oncology, with a strong focus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The lab investigates molecular mechanisms underlying liver carcinogenesis, particularly the role of chronic inflammation and signaling pathways such as NF-κB and STAT3 in tumor progression. It also employs advanced single-molecule imaging techniques to study fundamental processes like transcription elongation and protein-DNA interactions. Additionally, the lab explores patient-centered research ethics, emphasizing data sharing and biospecimen use in precision medicine.
Professor Jin Young Jang's research lab specializes in pancreatic and biliary tract malignancies, with a focus on improving diagnostic accuracy, optimizing treatment strategies, and enhancing long-term outcomes for patients with pancreatic and biliary cystic neoplasms, borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, and bile duct cancer. The lab conducts clinical trials and epidemiological studies to evaluate neoadjuvant therapies, develop predictive nomograms for malignancy risk, and establish surveillance protocols for postoperative recurrence. Their work emphasizes evidence-based approaches using advanced imaging and molecular risk stratification to guide personalized treatment decisions.
Professor Wonshik Han's research lab specializes in translational breast cancer research, focusing on the molecular and cellular heterogeneity of breast tumors at the single-cell level. The lab investigates the tumor microenvironment, including immune and stromal cell interactions, and explores genomic alterations—particularly in triple-negative and young-onset breast cancers—aimed at identifying novel therapeutic targets. They also examine biomarkers such as mammographic density to predict response to endocrine therapy and evaluate the evolving role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in early-stage disease.
Professor Ki Jun Yu's research lab specializes in the development of next-generation flexible and biocompatible electronic systems for advanced biomedical applications. The lab focuses on designing ultrathin, stretchable, and implantable devices using novel semiconductor nanomaterials and innovative device architectures to enable long-term, high-fidelity neural and physiological monitoring. Key research directions include neural interfaces, implantable biosensors, and wearable epidermal electronics with applications in neuroscience, diabetes management, and real-time health monitoring.
Professor Jong-Nam Park's research lab specializes in the controlled synthesis and characterization of monodisperse and ultrasmall nanomaterials, with a focus on metal, metal oxide, and metal chalcogenide nanoparticles. The lab develops advanced chemical methods—such as seed-mediated growth, thermal decomposition with continuous precursor delivery, and surfactant-assisted synthesis—to achieve precise control over nanoparticle size, shape, and composition. Key research directions include the design of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with tunable sizes and the synthesis of ultrasmall nanoparticles (1–3 nm) exhibiting unique size-dependent properties.
Professor Jae-Ho Jung's research lab focuses on the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underlying gastric cancer progression, with a central emphasis on tumor metabolism, cancer stem cells, and the tumor microenvironment. The lab investigates how metabolic reprogramming—particularly in glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and redox homeostasis—drives chemoresistance and metastasis, while also exploring predictive biomarkers and patient-derived models to improve personalized therapy. Key research directions include the role of AMPK and bioenergetic pathways in tumor suppression, the development of machine learning-based gene signatures for prognosis, and the fidelity of patient-derived xenograft models in preclinical drug testing. The lab integrates genomics, systems biology, and translational models to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities in gastric cancer.
Professor Dong-Wook Kim's research lab specializes in regenerative medicine and translational biomedical research, focusing on mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles for tissue repair and regenerative therapy. The lab also investigates metabolic therapies, particularly the ketogenic diet, in neurological disorders such as epilepsy, and applies advanced computational methods like deep learning to improve survival prediction in cancer patients. Additionally, the lab pioneers gene-editing strategies using CRISPR/Cas9 to correct genetic mutations in inherited disorders like fragile X syndrome.
Professor Youngsoo Kim's research lab focuses on translational biomedical research with a primary emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and cancer therapeutics. The lab investigates molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal cell death, including necroptosis and oxidative stress, and explores therapeutic strategies using neuroprotective agents like necrostatin-1 and sulforaphane. Additionally, the lab develops targeted delivery systems using cyclic peptides for cancer cell-specific drug delivery and explores innovative deep learning applications for medical image analysis, particularly in detecting intracranial hemorrhage. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge molecular biology, neuroscience, and computational medicine to advance precision therapeutics.
Professor Kyung-Tae Lee's research lab specializes in the isolation, structural elucidation, and biological evaluation of bioactive natural products, particularly saponins and isoflavonoids, from medicinal plants. The lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and anticancer properties of these compounds, with an emphasis on signaling pathways such as NF-κB and redox regulation. Key research directions include the development of novel therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases and cancer through natural product-based drug discovery.
Professor Seung-Ki Kim's research lab specializes in neural stem cell-based therapies for pediatric brain tumors, particularly medulloblastoma and gliomas. The lab investigates the tumor-tropic migration of neural stem cells as a delivery vehicle for therapeutic agents, such as PEX (a fragment of metalloproteinase-2), to target malignant brain tumors with precision. A key focus is developing genetically engineered stem cells that combine homing ability with anti-tumor activity, aiming to improve treatment efficacy while reducing systemic side effects. The lab also explores the role of transcription factors like Sox2 in brain tumor stem cells, linking developmental biology to oncology.
Professor Yun-Ki Kim's research lab specializes in non-invasive brain stimulation and neurorehabilitation, focusing on transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance motor recovery and cognitive function in stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. The lab investigates the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying cortical excitability, motor learning, and working memory, using neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI to map brain network adaptations during rehabilitation. Additionally, the lab explores innovative 3D imaging technologies, particularly integral imaging systems with curved lens arrays, to advance visual display systems with wider viewing angles and improved image quality. The integration of neuroscience and biomedical engineering defines the lab’s interdisciplinary approach to improving neurological recovery and human-computer interaction.
Professor Sung Il Cho's research lab focuses on population health and occupational health, with a strong emphasis on the social determinants of health, including socioeconomic status, environmental factors, and workplace conditions. The lab investigates critical public health issues such as suicide trends, work-life conflict, tuberculosis, chemical exposure, and emerging tobacco products, particularly among vulnerable populations like adolescents and working adults. Their work combines epidemiological analysis with policy-relevant research to address pressing health challenges in South Korea and beyond. The lab also contributes to global health security through studies on infectious disease surveillance and environmental health risks.
