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Kihyun Lee

Ewha Womans University · Materials Science

About the Lab

Professor Kihyun Lee's research lab focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying developmental biology, immune regulation, and environmental microbiology. The lab employs advanced stem cell differentiation systems, gene editing, and high-resolution imaging to dissect transcriptional and epigenetic regulation during cell fate decisions, particularly in pancreatic development and T cell differentiation. It also investigates the role of redox signaling (e.g., NOX2/ROS) and metabolic hormones (e.g., leptin) in immune homeostasis and autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the lab explores the impact of human activities on environmental antibiotic resistance through integrated analysis of microbiomes, resistomes, and mobilomes in natural ecosystems. The lab combines cutting-edge technologies such as single-cell genomics, CRISPR screening, and deep learning-based image analysis to address fundamental biological questions with translational relevance.

stem cell differentiationimmune regulationantibiotic resistanceredox signalingdeep learning in microscopy

Research Overview

Papers
145
Total Citations
2,506
Papers (5y)
63
Primary Field
Materials Science

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
63total
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Citations per year (5y)
643total
20212022202320242025

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|163 citations·2019
FOXA2 Is Required for Enhancer Priming during Pancreatic Differentiation
Kihyun Lee, Hyunwoo Cho, Robert W. Rickert, Qing V. Li, Julián Pulecio, Christina S. Leslie, Danwei Huangfu
SJR Q1Cell ReportsOA

Transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of lineage priming in embryonic development are largely uncharacterized because of the difficulty of isolating transient progenitor populations. Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) combined with gene editing provides a powerful system to define precise temporal gene requirements for progressive chromatin changes during cell fate transitions. Here, we map the dynamic chromatin landscape associated with sequential stages of pancrea

SurgeryMedicine
2
Article|160 citations·2015
Leptin Receptor Signaling in T Cells Is Required for Th17 Differentiation
Bernardo Sgarbi Reis, Kihyun Lee, Melania H. Fanok, Cristina Mascaraque, Manal Amoury, Lillian B. Cohn, Aneta Rogoz, Olof Dallner, Pedro M. Moraes‐Vieira, Ana I. Domingos, Daniel Mucida
SJR Q1The Journal of ImmunologyOA

The hormone leptin plays a key role in energy homeostasis, and the absence of either leptin or its receptor (LepR) leads to severe obesity and metabolic disorders. To avoid indirect effects and to address the cell-intrinsic role of leptin signaling in the immune system, we conditionally targeted LepR in T cells. In contrast with pleiotropic immune disorders reported in obese mice with leptin or LepR deficiency, we found that LepR deficiency in CD4(+) T cells resulted in a selective defect in bot

Endocrine and Autonomic SystemsNeuroscience
3
Article|154 citations·2020
Mobile resistome of human gut and pathogen drives anthropogenic bloom of antibiotic resistance
Kihyun Lee, Dae‐Wi Kim, Do-Hoon Lee, Yong-Seok Kim, Ji-Hye Bu, Ju-Hee Cha, Cung Nawl Thawng, Eun‐Mi Hwang, Hoon Je Seong, Woo Jun Sul, Elizabeth M. H. Wellington, Christopher Quince
SJR Q1MicrobiomeOA

BACKGROUND: The impact of human activities on the environmental resistome has been documented in many studies, but there remains the controversial question of whether the increased antibiotic resistance observed in anthropogenically impacted environments is just a result of contamination by resistant fecal microbes or is mediated by indigenous environmental organisms. Here, to determine exactly how anthropogenic influences shape the environmental resistome, we resolved the microbiome, resistome,

PollutionEnvironmental Science
4
Article|124 citations·2011
Spontaneous and aging-dependent development of arthritis in NADPH oxidase 2 deficiency through altered differentiation of CD11b+ and Th/Treg cells
Kihyun Lee, Hee Yeon Won, Myung Ae Bae, Jeong‐Ho Hong, Eun Sook Hwang
SJR Q1Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Emerging evidence indicates that NADPH oxidase (NOX) and its reactive oxygen species (ROS) products modulate a variety of cellular events, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the functions of NOX2 and ROS in immune modulation using NOX2 knockout (KO) mice. Interestingly, NOX2 KO mice spontaneously developed arthritis with onset at 6-7 wk of age and high incidence (60%) at 15-18 wk of age. Arthritis severity in NOX2 KO mice was proportionally in

ImmunologyImmunology and Microbiology
5
Article|53 citations·2010
In vivo tumor suppression activity by T cell‐specific T‐bet restoration
Kihyun Lee, Hyun Jung Min, Eun Jung Jang, Jeong‐Ho Hong, Eun Sook Hwang
SJR Q1International Journal of Cancer

T-box-containing protein expressed in T cells (T-bet) is a master transcription factor for the development of interferon (IFN) gamma-producing T helper 1 (Th1) cells and also functions in other immune cells including natural killer (NK), cytotoxic T lymphocytes and dendritic cells. T-bet-deficient mice increased susceptibility to viral infection and tumor development due to the defective functions of immune cells. T-bet is known to play a key role in NK-mediated antimetastatic response; however,

ImmunologyImmunology and Microbiology
6
Article|45 citations·2022
STEM Image Analysis Based on Deep Learning: Identification of Vacancy Defects and Polymorphs of MoS2
Kihyun Lee, Jinsub Park, Soyeon Choi, Yangjin Lee, Sol Lee, Jung Joowon, Jong‐Young Lee, Farman Ullah, Zeeshan Tahir, Yong Soo Kim, Gwan‐Hyoung Lee, Kwanpyo Kim
SJR Q1Nano LettersOA

Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) is an indispensable tool for atomic-resolution structural analysis for a wide range of materials. The conventional analysis of STEM images is an extensive hands-on process, which limits efficient handling of high-throughput data. Here, we apply a fully convolutional network (FCN) for identification of important structural features of two-dimensional crystals. ResUNet, a type of FCN, is utilized in identifying sulfur vacancies and polymorph types o

Materials ChemistryMaterials Science
7
Article|35 citations·2016
Ethical leadership and followers' taking charge: Trust in, and identification with, leader as mediators
Kihyun Lee
SJR Q3Social Behavior and Personality An International JournalOA

In previous studies researchers have identified several antecedents of followers' taking charge from their leader, but the ethical nature of taking charge has rarely been considered. Drawing on both social exchange theory and social identity theory, I examined the influence of ethical leadership on followers taking charge through the mediation of trust in leader and identification with leader. Using data obtained from 236 petty officers and their immediate supervisors in the South Korean Navy, I

Sociology and Political ScienceSocial Sciences
8
Article|33 citations·2013
Ablation of Peroxiredoxin II Attenuates Experimental Colitis by Increasing FoxO1-Induced Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells
Hee Yeon Won, Eun Jung Jang, Kihyun Lee, Sera Oh, Hyo Kyung Kim, Hyun Ae Woo, Sang Won Kang, Dae‐Yeul Yu, Sue–Goo Rhee, Eun Sook Hwang
SJR Q1The Journal of Immunology

Peroxiredoxin (Prx) II is an intracellular antioxidant molecule that eliminates hydrogen peroxide, employing a high substrate-binding affinity. PrxII deficiency increases the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species in many types of cells, which may increase reactive oxygen species-mediated inflammation. In this study, we investigated the susceptibility of PrxII knockout (KO) mice to experimentally induced colitis and the effects of PrxII on the immune system. Wild-type mice displayed pro

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
9
Review|25 citations·2021
Overview of bioinformatic methods for analysis of antibiotic resistome from genome and metagenome data
Kihyun Lee, Dae‐Wi Kim, Chang‐Jun Cha
SJR Q2The Journal of Microbiology

Whole genome and metagenome sequencing are powerful approaches that enable comprehensive cataloging and profiling of antibiotic resistance genes at scales ranging from a single clinical isolate to ecosystems. Recent studies deal with genomic and metagenomic data sets at larger scales; therefore, designing computational workflows that provide high efficiency and accuracy is becoming more important. In this review, we summarize the computational workflows used in the research field of antibiotic r

Molecular MedicineBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
10
Article|17 citations·2017
LMX differentiation, diversity, and group performance
Kihyun Lee, Yeon Joo Chae
SJR Q1Career Development International

Purpose The impact of leader-member exchange (LMX) differentiation on group performance has been considered ambiguous. The purpose of this paper is to resolve this ambiguity by theorizing and examining a curvilinear relationship between LMX differentiation and group performance, and the moderating effects of group diversity on this relationship. Design/methodology/approach Data were drawn from 63 work groups (consisting of 322 members and 63 group leaders) selected from 27 technology service com

Gender StudiesSocial Sciences
11
Article|16 citations·2015
Loss Analysis and Comparison of High Power Semiconductor Devices in 5MW PMSG MV Wind Turbine Systems
Kihyun Lee, Yongsug Suh, Yong Cheol Kang
SJR Q3Journal of Power Electronics

This paper provides a loss analysis and comparison of high power semiconductor devices in 5MW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) Medium Voltage (MV) Wind Turbine Systems (WTSs). High power semiconductor devices of the press-pack type IGCT, module type IGBT, press-pack type IGBT, and press-pack type IEGT of both 4.5kV and 6.5kV are considered in this paper. Benchmarking is performed based on the back-to-back type 3-level Neutral Point Clamped Voltage Source Converters (3L-NPC VSCs) sup

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
12
Article|14 citations·2020
The Joint Effects of Leader–Member Exchange and Team-Member Exchange in Predicting Job Crafting
Kihyun Lee
SJR Q1SustainabilityOA

In order to better understand the social aspects of job crafting, this study explores the direct and interactive effects of leader–member exchange (LMX) and team-member exchange (TMX) on three types of job crafting (i.e., task, relational, and cognitive crafting). Drawing on both social exchange theory and the job demands–resources model, this study examines the social antecedents of job crafting in a sample of 336 members of three shipbuilding companies. The results indicate that individuals wh

Organizational Behavior and Human Resource ManagementBusiness, Management and Accounting
13
Article|13 citations·2016
Motivational antecedents of leader-member exchange differentiation: Evidence from South Korea
Kihyun Lee, Yeon Joo Chae, Inyong Shin
SJR Q1Asia Pacific Journal of Management
Applied PsychologyPsychology
14
Article|13 citations·2011
Job Stress and Self-perceived Fatigue in Korean Farmers
Kihyun Lee, Sang Baek Koh, Dongmug Kang, Jinjoo Chung, Hyoung‐Ryoul Kim, Inah Kim, Kyung-Suk Lee, Sook-Jung Hyun, Kang-Myoung Lee, Jin‐Ha Yoon, Sung-Kyung Kim, In-Jung Cho
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences
15
Article|13 citations·2014
Comparison of high power semiconductor devices losses in 5MW PMSG MV wind turbines
Kihyun Lee, Kyungsub Jung, Yongsug Suh, Changwoo Kim, Hyoyol Yoo, Sunsoon Park

This paper provides a comparison of high power semiconductor devices in 5MW-class Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) Medium Voltage (MV) wind turbines. High power semiconductor devices of IGCT, module type IGBT, press-pack type IGBT, and press-pack type IEGT of both 4.5kV and 6.5kV are considered in this paper. Benchmarking is performed based on neutral point clamped 3-level back-to-back type voltage source converter supplied from grid voltage of 4160V. The feasible number of semicond

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering

Research Areas

Materials ChemistryMolecular BiologyElectrical and Electronic EngineeringSociology and Political SciencePolitical Science and International RelationsPollution

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