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Man Bock Gu

Korea University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

About the Lab

Professor Man Bock Gu's research lab specializes in the development of advanced biosensors and nanomaterial-based platforms for biomedical and environmental applications. The lab focuses on aptamer discovery using innovative techniques like graphene oxide-based SELEX, enabling high-throughput, label-free detection of biomarkers and small molecules. Key research directions include the design of sensitive biosensors for disease diagnostics—such as those targeting RBP4 in type 2 diabetes—and the application of nanomaterials like silver and gold nanoparticles for probing cellular toxicity and ion homeostasis. The lab also explores enzyme immobilization strategies for sustainable biocatalysis and green energy production.

aptamer selectionbiosensorsgraphene oxidenanoparticle toxicitybiomarker detection

Research Overview

Papers
318
Total Citations
11,533
Papers (5y)
21
Primary Field
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
21total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
394total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|465 citations·2008
Analysis of the Toxic Mode of Action of Silver Nanoparticles Using Stress‐Specific Bioluminescent Bacteria
Ee Taek Hwang, Jin Hyung Lee, Yun Ju Chae, Yeon Seok Kim, Byoung Chan Kim, Byoung‐In Sang, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Small

Every cell has a silver lining! The toxicity of Ag nanoparticles is investigated using a panel of recombinant bioluminescent bacteria. The presence of the nanoparticles leads to the production of a superoxide radical (see figure). Furthermore, the Ag nanoparticles damage the cellular membranes, causing a disruption in the ion efflux system. Thus, the cells cannot effectively extrude the Ag ions and, hence, Ag nanoparticles cause more damage than do Ag ions. Supporting information for this articl

Materials ChemistryMaterials Science
2
Article|457 citations·2012
Enzyme stabilization by nano/microsized hybrid materials
Ee Taek Hwang, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q2Engineering in Life SciencesOA

Immobilization is a key technology for successful realization of enzyme‐based industrial processes, particularly for production of green and sustainable energy or chemicals from biomass‐derived catalytic conversion. Different methods to immobilize enzymes are critically reviewed. In principle, enzymes are immobilized via three major routes (i) binding to a support, (ii) encapsulation or entrapment, or (iii) cross‐linking (carrier free). As a result, immobilizing enzymes on certain supports can e

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
3
Review|431 citations·2015
Aptamer-based nanobiosensors
Yeon Seok Kim, Nurul Hanun Ahmad Raston, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Biosensors and Bioelectronics
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
4
Article|280 citations·2009
Evaluation of the toxic impact of silver nanoparticles on Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Yun Ju Chae, Chi Hoa Pham, Jinwon Lee, Eunjoo Bae, Jongheop Yi, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Aquatic Toxicology
Materials ChemistryMaterials Science
5
Article|264 citations·2006
Electrochemical detection of 17β-estradiol using DNA aptamer immobilized gold electrode chip
Yeon Seok Kim, Ho Sup Jung, Toshihiko Matsuura, Hea Yeon Lee, Tomoji Kawai, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Biosensors and Bioelectronics
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
6
Article|243 citations·2010
A novel colorimetric aptasensor using gold nanoparticle for a highly sensitive and specific detection of oxytetracycline
Yeon Seok Kim, Joong Hyun Kim, In Ae Kim, Su Jin Lee, Jongsoo Jurng, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Biosensors and Bioelectronics
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
7
Review|198 citations·2017
Aptamer-based environmental biosensors for small molecule contaminants
Van-Thuan Nguyen, Young Seop Kwon, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Current Opinion in Biotechnology
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
8
Article|190 citations·2009
Electrochemical aptasensor for tetracycline detection
Yoon-Jin Kim, Yeon Seok Kim, Javed H. Niazi, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q2Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
9
Review|184 citations·2004
Whole-Cell-Based Biosensors for Environmental Biomonitoring and Application
Man Bock Gu, Robert J. Mitchell, Byoung Chan Kim
SJR Q2Advances in biochemical engineering, biotechnology
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
10
Article|178 citations·2011
Immobilization-free screening of aptamers assisted by graphene oxide
Jee-Woong Park, Rameshwar Tatavarty, Dae Woo Kim, Hee‐Tae Jung, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Chemical Communications

Graphene oxide (GO) has the ability to separate free short ssDNA in heterogeneous solution. This feature is applied as a label free platform for screening of aptamers that bind to their target with high affinity and specificity. Herein, we report an aptamer selection strategy for Nampt protein based on GO.

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
11
Article|163 citations·2008
Single-stranded DNA aptamers specific for antibiotics tetracyclines
Javed H. Niazi, Su Jin Lee, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q2Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
12
Article|156 citations·2008
ssDNA Aptamer-Based Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor for the Detection of Retinol Binding Protein 4 for the Early Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
Su Jin Lee, Byung‐Soo Youn, Ji Woo Park, Javed H. Niazi, Yeon Seok Kim, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Analytical Chemistry

Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a useful biomarker in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes since its level in the serum is higher in insulin-resistant states. Accurate measurement of the serum RBP4 levels is hampered by conventional immunologic methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this study, therefore, we have developed an aptamer-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor that can be used to sense for RBP4 in serum samples. A single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamer t

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
13
Article|152 citations·2007
Analysis of the effects diclofenac has on Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) using real-time PCR
Han Hong, Han Na Kim, Kyeong Seo Park, Sung-Kyu Lee, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Chemosphere
PollutionEnvironmental Science
14
Review|149 citations·2022
Biosensors for healthcare: current and future perspectives
Eun Ryung Kim, Cheulmin Joe, Robert J. Mitchell, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Trends in biotechnology
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
15
Article|137 citations·2005
A cell array biosensor for environmental toxicity analysis
Jin Hyung Lee, Robert J. Mitchell, Byoung Chan Kim, David C. Cullen, Man Bock Gu
SJR Q1Biosensors and Bioelectronics
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Research Areas

Molecular BiologyBiomedical EngineeringMaterials ChemistryHealth, Toxicology and MutagenesisElectrical and Electronic EngineeringBiomaterials

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