Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Hee-jeong Choi's research lab specializes in structural biology and biophysics, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying cell adhesion and signaling pathways. The lab investigates the structural organization and dynamic interactions of key proteins such as cadherins, catenins, and receptor complexes in adherens junctions and desmosomes, with a particular emphasis on how protein conformation and binding specificity regulate cellular function. Using advanced techniques like X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and single-molecule force spectroscopy, the lab explores the folding and assembly of membrane proteins and the structural basis of ligand-receptor interactions in G protein-coupled receptors and Wnt signaling components. Their work provides fundamental insights into diseases such as cancer and metabolic disorders linked to disrupted cell-cell adhesion and signaling.
Professor Jaehoon Lee's research lab focuses on regenerative medicine and respiratory disease therapeutics, with a central emphasis on mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles (MSC-MVs) as cell-free therapeutic agents for acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of MSC-MVs, particularly their role in restoring endothelial barrier function through transfer of bioactive molecules such as angiopoietin-1 mRNA. Additionally, the lab explores novel peptide ligands targeting cell surface receptors, including the human transferrin receptor, for potential applications in targeted drug delivery. The research integrates preclinical models, ex vivo human lung systems, and translational approaches to bridge findings from animal studies to human clinical applications.
Professor Seung-Ki Min's research lab specializes in climate dynamics, extreme weather events, and the detection and attribution of climate change, with a strong focus on regional climate impacts, particularly in the Arctic, East Asia, and the Indo-Pacific region. The lab employs advanced climate modeling, observational data analysis, and statistical techniques such as extreme value theory and attribution frameworks to understand how anthropogenic forcing influences climate extremes, sea ice decline, and regional hydrological cycles. Their work bridges global climate model evaluation with regional climate risk assessment, contributing significantly to IPCC assessments and climate policy.
Professor Won Jong Kim's research lab specializes in the design and development of advanced nanomaterials for biomedical applications, with a primary focus on stimuli-responsive drug and gene delivery systems. The lab explores the functionalization of carbon-based nanomaterials—particularly graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide—through polymer conjugation and surface engineering to enable targeted, controlled release of therapeutic agents. Key research directions include photothermal-triggered delivery, ROS-responsive carriers, and nonviral gene delivery using polyethylenimine-modified nanocarriers, with applications in cancer therapy and regenerative medicine. The lab emphasizes the integration of materials science with molecular biology to create smart, biocompatible systems for precision medicine.
Professor Young-Ju Lee's research lab specializes in translational biomedical engineering and clinical oncology, focusing on advanced medical imaging, liver transplantation surgery, and molecular oncology. The lab investigates innovative imaging techniques—such as multi-echo MRI and FDG-PET/CT—for accurate quantification of hepatic fat and tumor metabolism, while also exploring novel therapeutic strategies for drug-resistant cancers using HDAC inhibitors like SAHA. A significant emphasis is placed on improving surgical outcomes in living-donor liver transplantation, particularly in complex anatomical variants such as anomalous portal venous branching. The lab integrates clinical practice with rigorous mathematical modeling to enhance the understanding and treatment of liver diseases and cancer.
Professor Joo-Hee Lee's research lab focuses on the biological mechanisms of skin aging, inflammaging, and fibrotic scarring, with an emphasis on cellular senescence, chronic inflammation, and extracellular matrix modulation. The lab investigates therapeutic interventions such as polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), hyaluronic acid, and laser-based treatments to mitigate scar formation and promote tissue repair. A key research direction involves understanding the role of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), such as HMGB-1, in inflammatory skin pathologies and identifying potential targets for anti-inflammatory therapies. The lab also explores innovative clinical applications in dermatology, including the use of high-fidelity simulation in nursing education to improve clinical reasoning and patient care outcomes.
Professor Won Woo Lee's research lab focuses on immunology and cellular metabolism, with a particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms underlying T cell differentiation, monocyte/macrophage activation, and nutrient-sensing pathways in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The lab investigates how cytokines like IL-1β and amino acid transporters such as SLC7A5 regulate immune cell function through mTORC1 signaling and metabolic reprogramming. Additionally, the lab explores the role of micronutrients like zinc in immune regulation and the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis. These studies aim to uncover novel therapeutic targets for autoimmune and infectious diseases by dissecting the interplay between metabolism, immunity, and inflammation.
Professor Hyungjun Kim's research lab specializes in the synthesis, characterization, and application of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) for next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. The lab focuses on developing scalable and precise growth techniques—such as atomic layer deposition and low-temperature chemical vapor deposition—for large-area, uniform, and compositionally controlled 2D TMDs and their heterostructures. Key research directions include enhancing gas-sensing performance through surface engineering and Schottky barrier control, enabling self-powered and selective chemiresistive sensors, and tuning electronic and optical properties via alloying and layer control. The lab also explores the integration of 2D materials into flexible and wearable devices for practical environmental and electronic applications.
Professor Dae Duk Kim's research lab specializes in pharmaceutical and translational research, focusing on the optimization of drug delivery systems for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity. The lab investigates novel formulations, including liposomal and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), for targeted delivery of anticancer agents such as doxorubicin and photosensitizers like PPD. Key research directions include in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of drug release profiles, pharmacokinetics, and tumor response in preclinical models, with an emphasis on interventional oncology techniques such as chemoembolization. The lab also explores the role of formulation variables—such as emulsion composition and excipients—on drug absorption and bioavailability.
Professor Jeong Sook Ha's research lab specializes in the development of advanced functional materials and devices for wearable and implantable biomedical applications. The lab focuses on stretchable and biodegradable electronics, including highly sensitive strain, temperature, and electrochemical sensors, as well as flexible and transient energy storage devices such as microsupercapacitors. Key research directions include the design of novel nanocomposites—such as graphene foam, carbon nanotubes, and conductive polymers—integrated with biocompatible and biodegradable materials for real-time physiological monitoring and sustainable electronics.
Professor Si-young Song's research lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatic and cholangiocarcinoma carcinogenesis, with a particular emphasis on cancer stem cells, tumor microenvironment, and epigenetic regulation. The lab investigates chemoresistance mechanisms, especially in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer, and explores novel therapeutic strategies using histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors like CG200745 to sensitize tumors to chemotherapy. Key research directions include the role of transcription factors such as Oct4 and Nanog in early tumorigenesis and the prognostic significance of VEGF-C in lymph node metastasis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The lab integrates in vitro, in vivo, and translational approaches to develop targeted therapies for aggressive biliary and pancreatic cancers.
Professor Dae-Won Kim's research lab specializes in advanced materials and biomedical applications, with a strong focus on mesenchymal stromal cells derived from Wharton’s jelly for regenerative medicine and immunomodulatory therapies. The lab also investigates functional porous materials, particularly metal-organic frameworks, for high-efficiency ammonia capture under challenging environmental conditions. In addition, the lab applies machine learning and data-driven approaches to classify astrophysical transients, particularly quasars and variable stars, using large-scale photometric databases. These interdisciplinary efforts reflect a commitment to innovative solutions in biomedicine, environmental science, and data-intensive astrophysics.
Professor Tae-hyun Yoo's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD), with a particular emphasis on cell death pathways such as ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and apoptosis in renal tubular cells. The lab investigates key signaling pathways—including TGF-β1, Notch, and integrin signaling—that drive kidney fibrosis and disease progression, as well as the role of circulating factors like suPAR in podocyte injury. Innovative therapeutic strategies, including exosome-based drug delivery systems, are being explored to target these pathways with precision and reduced toxicity.
Professor Jong Wan Park's research lab focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression, with a central emphasis on hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), tumor microenvironment signaling, and epigenetic regulation. The lab investigates how transcription factors like HIF-1α and HIF-2α interact with oncogenic pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, and explores the role of oxygen-sensing enzymes like PHDs and FIH in epigenetic control of metastasis. Additionally, the lab examines natural compounds—such as curcumin, EGCG, and chaetocin—as potential chemopreventive and therapeutic agents targeting HIF signaling and oxidative stress. The overarching goal is to identify novel molecular targets for cancer therapy, particularly in hepatoma and other aggressive malignancies.
Professor Jeong Mo Nam's research lab specializes in pharmacoepidemiology and aging-related health outcomes, with a focus on the long-term effects of common medications—such as sibutramine, statins, and metformin—on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The lab investigates the complex interplay between drug use, metabolic health, and chronic disease risk, particularly in aging populations and patients with type 2 diabetes. Using large-scale national cohort data and advanced statistical methods like time-dependent Cox regression and landmark analysis, the lab aims to clarify causal relationships and reduce bias in observational drug safety and efficacy studies. Their work also explores biomarkers of frailty, such as handgrip strength, in predicting mortality outcomes.
Professor Kwan Soo Ko's research lab specializes in microbial genomics, antimicrobial resistance, and the molecular epidemiology of pathogenic bacteria. The lab investigates the genetic mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance, particularly in Gram-negative pathogens such as *Acinetobacter baumannii*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, and *Staphylococcus aureus*, using molecular typing and comparative genomics. Key research directions include understanding the evolutionary dynamics of resistant strains, identifying resistance determinants, and exploring horizontal gene transfer events that contribute to the spread of multidrug resistance. The lab also develops molecular tools for accurate bacterial identification and phylogenetic analysis to support clinical diagnostics and infection control.
Professor Wan Jae Yi's research lab specializes in diagnostic radiology and biomedical imaging, with a focus on developing advanced imaging agents and techniques for early detection and precise diagnosis of gastrointestinal and urological diseases. The lab investigates pH-responsive nanomaterials for targeted MRI contrast imaging, particularly for acidic pathological environments such as tumors, and explores the radiological features of various neoplastic and inflammatory conditions, including cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder polyps, and eosinophil-related hepatic lesions. The team also evaluates clinical interventional procedures, such as emergency percutaneous nephrostomy, to improve patient outcomes in urological emergencies. Their work bridges molecular imaging, radiological diagnostics, and clinical interventional radiology to enhance disease detection and management.
Professor Sang-gil Lee's research lab focuses on advancing personalized and precision medicine through innovative pharmaceutical technologies and microbiome research. Key research directions include the application of 3D printing in pharmaceutical formulation for on-demand, patient-specific drug delivery systems, particularly sustained-release and floating tablets. The lab also investigates the role of the gastric microbiome—especially non-H. pylori species—in gastric diseases and carcinogenesis, aiming to uncover microbial signatures and functional pathways linked to intestinal metaplasia and cancer. Additionally, the lab explores the impact of medical interventions, such as proton pump inhibitor use, on systemic and gastrointestinal health markers like magnesium homeostasis.
Professor Youn-Sang Bae's research lab specializes in the design, synthesis, and application of advanced porous materials—particularly metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—for sustainable gas separation and environmental remediation. The lab focuses on enhancing adsorption selectivity and capacity for critical applications such as carbon dioxide capture, natural gas purification, and separation of light hydrocarbons. By combining experimental techniques with computational simulations, the group investigates structure-property relationships to guide the rational design of next-generation MOFs with tailored pore environments and open metal sites.
Professor Ju Han Kim's research lab specializes in microbial metabolism, synthetic biology, and the genetic regulation of complex biological rhythms. The lab investigates the evolution and engineering of novel metabolic pathways in microbes, focusing on enzyme promiscuity, metabolic cross-talk, and the systems-level integration of synthetic pathways. Additionally, the lab explores the role of non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs, in regulating circadian rhythms and applies genomic and exome sequencing approaches to uncover sex-specific genetic architectures in psychiatric disorders. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge systems biology, microbial physiology, and translational genomics.
