Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Jong-nak Choi's research lab specializes in clinical molecular diagnostics and genomic medicine, focusing on the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and molecular biomarkers in diagnosing and predicting disease outcomes. The lab investigates somatic and germline mutations in cancer (particularly thyroid cancer and myeloid neoplasms), epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental disorders, with an emphasis on improving diagnostic accuracy through targeted gene panels and bioinformatics. A key research direction involves optimizing molecular testing strategies, including mutation detection methods like DPO-PCR and reanalysis of genetic variants to resolve variants of uncertain significance.
Professor Young-Ju Byun's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of bioactive molecules for targeted therapeutic applications, with a primary focus on boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and anti-infective strategies against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The lab develops novel boron-containing nucleoside analogues, such as 3-carboranyl thymidine analogues (3CTAs), to selectively deliver boron to cancer cells for BNCT, leveraging enzyme-mediated phosphorylation for tumor targeting. Additionally, the lab investigates quorum sensing inhibitors—particularly gingerol derivatives—targeting virulence regulation in *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, aiming to combat chronic biofilm-associated infections without inducing resistance. Structure-activity relationship studies and computational modeling are central to optimizing the potency and selectivity of these compounds.
Professor Byung Ho Lee's research lab focuses on spinal disorders, particularly lumbar spinal stenosis and idiopathic scoliosis, with an emphasis on surgical outcomes, epidemiology, and the biological mechanisms underlying spinal degeneration. The lab investigates the role of inflammatory cytokines in ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and ossification, as well as the impact of vitamin D status on surgical recovery. Additionally, the lab contributes to veterinary and agricultural health through studies on parasitic infections like Eimeria in poultry, highlighting translational research across human and animal health. The research integrates clinical outcomes, molecular mechanisms, and population-based epidemiology to improve patient management and preventive strategies.
Professor Chang-Wook Lee's research lab focuses on cellular organelle communication, particularly the molecular mechanisms underlying endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact sites (ERMCS) and their roles in cellular homeostasis, metabolism, and disease. The lab investigates the structural and functional basis of key proteins such as MIGA2, TRAP1, and ERMES components in regulating lipid trafficking, mitochondrial function, and cell survival. A central theme is the development of targeted therapeutics, especially mitochondria-specific inhibitors for cancer therapy, by elucidating protein-ligand interactions and subcellular targeting mechanisms. The lab integrates structural biology, biochemistry, and translational neuroscience to explore organelle dynamics in neurodegenerative and malignant diseases.
Professor Jiwon Lee's research lab specializes in the development of bioinspired and multifunctional nanomaterials for advanced biomedical applications, with a strong focus on cancer theranostics, targeted drug delivery, and gene therapy. The lab integrates synthetic biology, protein engineering, and nanotechnology to design smart biomaterials—such as proteinticles, gold-nanoparticle clusters, and functionalized nanoparticles—that enable precise targeting, enhanced delivery, and multimodal imaging or therapy. Key research directions include engineering protein-based carriers for siRNA delivery, creating theranostic agents with magnetic and photothermal properties, and applying CRISPR/Cas9 to generate universal allogeneic T cells for immunotherapy. The lab’s work consistently emphasizes biocompatibility, in vivo safety, and clinical translatability.
Professor Young-Joon Jeon's research lab focuses on molecular and computational oncology, with a central emphasis on the regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs—particularly microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs—in cancer progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance. The lab investigates tumor suppressor networks involving p53, MYC, and TUSC3, exploring their interactions with non-coding RNAs and downstream signaling pathways such as the unfolded protein response and NF-κB. Using integrative approaches combining genomics, functional assays, and machine learning, the lab aims to decode regulatory mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer, with translational applications in anticancer peptide discovery and therapeutic target identification.
Professor Sung-Hyun Kim's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptic transmission, vascular integrity in critical illness, and neuronal circuit regulation. The lab investigates synaptic vesicle dynamics, neurotransmitter release control via key signaling enzymes like calcineurin and CDK5, and the functional specialization of excitatory and inhibitory nerve terminals. A central theme is understanding how cellular and molecular disruptions in synapses and endothelial cells contribute to neurological and systemic diseases.
Professor Won-Suk Kim's research lab specializes in experimental and modeling studies of fluvial and deltaic systems, focusing on the interplay between sediment supply, sea level change, subsidence, and base-level variations. The lab investigates autogenic and allogenic processes in sedimentation, particularly how internal dynamics (autogenic variability) and external forcings (e.g., eustasy, tectonics) shape shoreline migration and land-building in river deltas. Using controlled laboratory experiments and physically based numerical models, the lab explores long-term landscape evolution, deltaic restoration potential, and the interpretation of sedimentary rock records. A key research direction involves understanding how engineered interventions—such as levee breaches or mine tailings outfalls—can influence sediment distribution and land formation in coastal environments.
Professor Jong Seo Lee's research lab specializes in spinal deformity and spinal surgery, with a strong focus on sagittal spinal alignment, proximal junctional failure (PJF), and long-segment spinal instrumentation. The lab investigates biomechanical and clinical risk factors for complications such as proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and nonunion at the lumbo-sacral junction, particularly in adult spinal deformity (ASD) and degenerative lumbar conditions. Their work emphasizes optimizing surgical outcomes through individualized spinal balance restoration, implant fixation strategies, and motion-preserving techniques like lumbar total disc replacement (TDR). The lab integrates radiographic analysis, survivorship modeling, and long-term clinical follow-up to guide evidence-based surgical decision-making.
Professor Soo Hee Han's research lab specializes in advanced battery management systems and intelligent estimation techniques for electrochemical energy storage, with a strong focus on state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) estimation. The lab integrates model-based approaches with data-driven methods such as machine learning and reinforcement learning to enhance accuracy and robustness in real-world applications. It also develops advanced signal processing and filtering techniques, including optimal smoothers and estimators, for dynamic systems with uncertainties. The lab's work supports the development of safer, more efficient electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Professor Sung Joon Kim's research lab specializes in advanced thermal fluids and energy systems, with a strong focus on nanofluid-based heat transfer enhancement, particularly in boiling heat transfer and flow boiling applications. The lab investigates the mechanisms behind critical heat flux (CHF) improvement using nanoparticles such as alumina, zirconia, and diamond in water-based nanofluids, emphasizing surface morphology changes and wettability enhancement. Additionally, the lab explores innovative applications in biomedical engineering, including implantable retinal stimulation systems, and applies cutting-edge machine learning techniques—such as physics-informed neural networks—to accelerate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for complex reacting flows.
Professor Sunghoe Chang's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptic vesicle dynamics, active zone organization, and presynaptic function in neuronal communication. The lab investigates key proteins such as synapsin, SNX9, ARF6, and SCAMP5 to understand their roles in synaptic vesicle clustering, endocytosis, spine development, and neurotransmitter release. Using advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and molecular biology techniques, the lab explores how these proteins regulate synaptic plasticity and contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Professor Yang Won Min's research lab specializes in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases, with a strong focus on endoscopic therapies, liver cirrhosis complications, and gastrointestinal malignancies. The lab investigates the impact of medical interventions—such as proton pump inhibitors, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and vacuum-assisted closure—on clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and esophageal or gastric cancer. Their work emphasizes evidence-based approaches through large-scale cohort studies and endoscopic innovation to improve patient survival and reduce complications.
Professor Jae-Hoon Kim's research lab specializes in advanced optoelectronic materials and devices, with a strong focus on colloidal quantum dots for next-generation displays and lighting, as well as nanophotonic structures such as AlGaN grating reflectors for short-wavelength applications. The lab also explores wireless communication systems for implantable medical devices, particularly through the design of compact, efficient antennas, and applies computational intelligence techniques—such as bi-population particle swarm optimization—to solve complex engineering optimization problems. Additionally, the lab investigates multiview video coding techniques to address cross-view mismatches in illumination and focus, and explores the antiviral properties of traditional herbal extracts like Cortex Phellodendri. These diverse research directions reflect a multidisciplinary approach combining nanotechnology, photonics, biomedical engineering, and computational methods.
Professor Ho-joong Nam's research lab specializes in computational systems biology and bioinformatics, focusing on leveraging machine learning and multi-omics data to unravel complex biological mechanisms in disease, particularly cancer and antimicrobial resistance. The lab develops advanced in silico models for drug-target interaction prediction, metabolic biomarker discovery, and antimicrobial peptide classification, integrating genomics, metabolomics, and structural information. A central theme is the identification of functional and regulatory patterns in proteins and metabolic networks to support precision medicine and drug development.
Professor Dae Soo Lee's research lab specializes in the design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced oxide thin films and heterostructures with tailored electronic, ferroelectric, and multiferroic properties. The lab focuses on exploring emergent phenomena at the nanoscale, such as giant flexoelectric effects, strain-induced ferroelectricity, and electrically switchable diode behavior, enabling novel functionalities in nanoelectronics and memory devices. By combining advanced epitaxial thin-film growth with in situ structural, electrical, and theoretical analyses, the lab pioneers materials engineering strategies for high-performance, energy-efficient, and scalable oxide-based devices.
Professor Young-Kyu Ko's research lab focuses on cellular signaling mechanisms, particularly the roles of membrane microdomains such as caveolae and lipid rafts in signal transduction, protein sorting, and disease pathways. The lab investigates how membrane compartmentalization regulates growth factor signaling, apoptosis, and multidrug resistance in cancer cells, with a strong emphasis on the dynamic localization and function of key signaling proteins and enzymes like receptor tyrosine kinases, Daxx, and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Using advanced imaging, proteomics, and molecular biology techniques, the lab explores the functional significance of subcellular protein trafficking and post-translational modifications in health and disease.
Professor Jae-Hyeong Lee's research lab specializes in quantum nanoscience and topological quantum phenomena, focusing on the integration of topological insulators with superconducting heterostructures to explore exotic quantum effects. The lab investigates surface-dominant superconductivity and Josephson effects in hybrid devices, particularly in superconductor-topological insulator-superconductor (S-TI-S) structures, aiming to realize Majorana zero modes for topological quantum computing. Their work combines advanced nanofabrication, low-temperature transport measurements, and spin-orbit coupling engineering to probe quantum coherence and non-Abelian statistics in 2D and 3D topological materials.
Professor Jinho Hyun's research lab specializes in the development of advanced nanofabrication and biofunctional surface engineering techniques, focusing on the precise patterning of biomolecules and polymers at the nanoscale. The lab integrates methods such as dip-pen nanolithography, microcontact printing, and surface-initiated polymerization to create dynamic, stimuli-responsive nanostructures with applications in biosensing, tissue engineering, and synthetic biology. A central theme is the controlled assembly of proteins, polypeptides, and polymers on functionalized surfaces, leveraging molecular recognition and environmental responsiveness for smart biomedical materials.
Professor Goo Jang's research lab specializes in genome engineering and biotechnology in livestock, with a focus on developing advanced genetic modification techniques for cattle. The lab pioneers the application of CRISPR-Cas9 and transposon systems (e.g., Sleeping Beauty and PiggyBac) to generate genetically edited and transgenic cattle with improved traits or disease resistance. Key research directions include enhancing somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) efficiency, optimizing in vitro embryo culture systems with bioactive molecules like glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and establishing immortalized cell lines for functional gene studies, particularly in prion disease research. The lab also emphasizes genomic stability and long-term health outcomes in genetically modified animals.
