探索全球顶尖大学的研究室——研究领域与主要论文一览无余。
Professor Baik Lin Seong's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of protein synthesis, particularly the structural and functional specialization of initiator tRNAs in prokaryotes. The lab investigates how specific tRNA features—such as the absence of a Watson-Crick base pair at the acceptor stem and unique anticodon sequences—determine their role in translation initiation versus elongation. A key research direction involves engineering tRNAs and antigens for improved vaccine design, leveraging RNA chaperone functions and nanoparticle self-assembly to enhance solubility, folding, and immunogenicity of recombinant vaccine antigens. The lab also explores structural determinants of tRNA function and their implications for synthetic biology and therapeutic protein production.
Professor Fabian Jintae Froese's research lab focuses on human resource management, international mobility, and entrepreneurial behavior, with a particular emphasis on expatriate experiences, AI adoption in HR, and the unique dynamics of female entrepreneurs in Asia. The lab explores how individual motivations, organizational support, and cultural contexts shape work adjustment, job satisfaction, and career outcomes in global and cross-cultural settings. It also investigates the role of psychological resources such as resilience and organizational climate in enhancing employee well-being and retention. The research integrates theoretical frameworks from organizational behavior, information systems, and cross-cultural psychology to address contemporary challenges in global talent management and innovation.
Professor Nuri Yun's research lab specializes in nanomedicine and cellular therapeutics, with a primary focus on extracellular vesicles (EVs) as natural delivery vehicles for treating cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The lab investigates the engineering of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and exosomes to enhance targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules such as siRNA, miRNA, and proteins, particularly in myocarditis and myocardial infarction. A key direction involves modifying EV surface proteins—such as cardiac-targeting peptides and LAMP2b—to improve tissue specificity and reduce off-target effects. Additionally, the lab explores the role of cell signaling pathways, including Cdk5/Fbxw7 in neurodegeneration, to identify novel therapeutic targets.
Professor Jae-Heung Ko's research lab focuses on the molecular and genetic regulation of secondary cell wall biosynthesis and xylem development in vascular plants, particularly in Arabidopsis and poplar. The lab investigates key transcription factors such as MYB46, ANAC012, and PtaHB1, along with their regulatory networks, to understand how these factors control the formation of wood and vascular tissues. Using integrative approaches including transcriptomics, gene expression analysis, and functional genomics, the lab aims to decipher the signaling and transcriptional programs underlying secondary growth and stress responses in plants. Their work also explores the role of plant hormones and mechanical signals in cambium differentiation and xylem development.
Professor Sang Soo Han's research lab specializes in computational materials science, focusing on the design and simulation of advanced porous materials for energy applications. The lab employs advanced theoretical and simulation methods—such as grand canonical Monte Carlo, density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics, and reactive force fields (ReaxFF)—to investigate hydrogen storage, water stability, and thermal expansion behavior in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Key research directions include optimizing material structures for high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen uptake, enhancing stability under environmental conditions, and engineering novel frameworks with unique properties like negative thermal expansion. The lab bridges computational prediction with practical targets, such as meeting U.S. Department of Energy hydrogen storage goals.
Professor Ju-Young Moon's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying renal inflammation and fibrosis in metabolic and diabetic kidney diseases. The lab investigates the roles of innate immune sensors such as the NLRP3 inflammasome and NLRP3-independent pathways in tubular and immune cells, with an emphasis on how metabolic stressors like hyperuricemia and angiotensin II drive kidney injury through oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling. Key research directions include the crosstalk between immune and renal epithelial cells, the contribution of T cell infiltration to interstitial damage, and the therapeutic potential of targeting NLRP3 and ROS pathways in acute and chronic kidney injury. The lab integrates in vitro models, primary cell cultures, and in vivo disease models to identify novel targets for intervention in diabetic nephropathy and other kidney diseases.
Professor Kenbun Sone's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in gynecological cancers, particularly endometrial and ovarian carcinomas. The lab investigates the roles of histone-modifying enzymes—such as SUV39H2, EZH2, and SETD8—in DNA damage response, tumorigenesis, and cancer progression, with an emphasis on lysine methylation of histones and its functional consequences. Additionally, the lab integrates artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques to develop automated diagnostic systems for gynecological malignancies using medical imaging and omics data.
Professor Kenji Kano's research lab specializes in bioelectrochemistry and bioenergy, focusing on the development of high-performance, sustainable biofuel cells. The lab pioneers direct electron transfer (DET)-type bioelectrocatalysis using enzymes such as fructose dehydrogenase (FDH) and laccase or bilirubin oxidase (BOD) for efficient oxidation and reduction reactions. Key research directions include enzyme immobilization strategies on carbon-based electrodes, optimization of biocathode performance through surface modification, and enhancing power density in passive, mediator-free biofuel cells operating under physiological conditions. The lab also investigates the structure-function relationships of multi-subunit redox enzymes to improve electron transfer efficiency.
Professor Mahdi Khosravy's research lab specializes in intelligent systems and sustainable energy technologies, with a strong focus on cybersecurity in biometric systems, renewable energy optimization, and human-centered industrial automation. The lab develops advanced algorithms for secure face recognition, such as mitigating model inversion attacks, and enhances solar photovoltaic efficiency through innovative optimization techniques like incremental Conductance-based Particle Swarm Optimization. It also explores the frontiers of Industry 5.0, emphasizing human-robot collaboration, AI-driven digital twins, and smart cyber-physical systems. Additionally, the lab investigates perceptual image enhancement and power system protection in high-penetration renewable networks.
Professor Kiyotaka Nakagawa's research lab specializes in the bioavailability, metabolism, and physiological effects of bioactive phytochemicals, particularly polyphenols and other plant-derived compounds. The lab focuses on understanding the absorption, distribution, and antioxidant mechanisms of compounds such as green tea catechins (e.g., EGCg), luteolin, sulforaphane, astaxanthin, and 1-deoxynojirimycin in both animal models and human subjects. Using advanced analytical techniques like CL-HPLC, HILIC-MS, and ELSD, the lab investigates the pharmacokinetics and health-promoting potential of these compounds in relation to chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and dementia.
Professor Katsuki Kimura's research lab specializes in membrane technology for water and wastewater treatment, with a primary focus on understanding and mitigating membrane fouling—particularly irreversible fouling—through fundamental studies on membrane and organic matter interactions. The lab investigates advanced processes such as membrane bioreactors (MBRs), direct membrane filtration (DMF), and chemical enhanced backwashing (CEB) to improve membrane stability and longevity in real-world applications. Their work also includes the removal of emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals from municipal wastewater using analytical techniques such as GC/MS, aiming to enhance treatment efficiency and sustainability. The lab's research bridges materials science, environmental engineering, and water resource management to develop practical, scalable solutions for sustainable water treatment.
Professor Kazuaki Taguchi's research lab specializes in the development of advanced biomaterials for medical applications, with a primary focus on protein-based drug and gene delivery systems. The lab explores the use of natural plasma proteins—particularly albumin and hemoglobin—as versatile platforms for creating safe, efficient, and targeted therapeutics. Key research directions include designing novel liposomal and nanoparticle systems that enhance drug circulation time, improve tumor targeting, and modulate immune responses through macrophage polarization. The lab also investigates artificial oxygen carriers for transfusion alternatives, aiming to overcome limitations of current blood products.
Professor Kyoungphile Nam's research lab specializes in environmental microbiology and biogeochemistry, focusing on the fate, bioavailability, and bioremediation of environmental pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. The lab investigates microbial degradation mechanisms, sorption-desorption dynamics of contaminants in soils and engineered materials, and the role of soil properties—particularly organic matter and cation exchange capacity—in controlling contaminant mobility and ecological risk. Additionally, the lab explores biomineralization processes for sustainable applications, including self-healing concrete and metal toxicity prediction using biotic ligand models.
Professor Young Min Cho's research lab focuses on metabolic diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes and its complications, with a strong emphasis on molecular mechanisms underlying insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic regulation. The lab investigates therapeutic targets such as GLP-1 signaling, SGLT2 inhibition, and mitochondrial transfer in stem cell therapy, aiming to translate basic findings into clinical applications. Recent work also explores the genetic architecture of complex traits, including carcass weight in Hanwoo cattle, reflecting a translational approach spanning human metabolism and agricultural genetics. The lab integrates molecular biology, genomics, and translational medicine to advance precision strategies for metabolic and kidney diseases.
Professor Kwang Seob Jeong's research lab specializes in colloidal quantum dots and nanocrystal-based optoelectronic materials, with a focus on manipulating electronic and optical properties through quantum confinement, ligand engineering, and defect passivation. The lab explores steady-state intraband transitions in mid-infrared regions, particularly in non-toxic and mercury-free systems like Ag₂Se and CdChalcogenide quantum dots, enabling applications in infrared photodetectors and solar cells. A key direction involves tuning carrier density and electronic transitions—from intraband to localized surface plasmon resonances—under ambient conditions, advancing practical optoelectronic devices with enhanced stability and performance.
Professor Byung-Ok Choi's research lab specializes in the genetic and molecular dissection of inherited neuromuscular disorders, with a primary focus on Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and distal myopathies. The lab employs advanced genomic technologies such as whole-exome sequencing and linkage analysis to identify novel disease-causing mutations and expand the genetic landscape of these conditions. Their work emphasizes genotype-phenotype correlations and the functional characterization of pathogenic variants in genes like PMP2, DGAT2, MYH14, and ADSSL1, contributing to precision diagnostics and potential therapeutic strategies. The lab also investigates the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying peripheral neuropathies and myopathies, particularly those with complex or overlapping clinical features.
Professor Jae-Joong Lee's research lab specializes in neuroscience and neuroimaging, focusing on the neural mechanisms underlying pain and emotion. The lab investigates how the brain constructs affective experiences—particularly pain and pleasure—through dynamic functional brain networks and personalized brain decoding. Using advanced fMRI techniques and computational modeling, the lab explores the representation of affective valence and intensity in key brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex, insula, and cingulate cortex. A central theme is the development of individualized brain decoding methods for chronic pain, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment through neuroscientific insights.
Professor Masanobu Nakayama's research lab specializes in materials science and solid-state ionics, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms of ion transport in oxide and polymer-based electrolytes for next-generation energy storage devices. The lab employs first-principles calculations and advanced electrochemical characterization techniques such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy and AC impedance spectroscopy to investigate defect chemistry, interfacial reactions, and lithium-ion diffusion in cathode and solid electrolyte materials. Key research directions include optimizing solid-state batteries—particularly all-solid-state lithium polymer batteries—through tailored electrolyte design and understanding the electronic and ionic transport properties in complex oxides like doped ceria and olivine-type phosphates.
Professor Atsushi Suzuki's research lab specializes in biomechanics and structural engineering, focusing on muscle fiber type composition in animal skeletal muscles and the mechanical behavior of structural components in steel-concrete composite systems. The lab investigates myofiber heterogeneity in avian and mammalian muscles using histochemical techniques, while also exploring the performance of shear connectors—particularly perfobond connectors—under cyclic loading conditions. A key emphasis is placed on improving the seismic resilience of steel-concrete composite structures, especially in buckling-restrained braced frames, by evaluating stress transfer mechanisms and component-level behavior under reversed cyclic forces.
Professor Yuki Hattori's research lab focuses on the developmental biology and immunology of microglia and myeloid cells in the central nervous system, particularly their roles in brain development and innate immune responses. The lab investigates how microglia dynamically interact with neural progenitor cells and postmigratory neurons through chemokine-guided migration, especially via the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis, and how these interactions influence neuronal differentiation and cortical organization. Additionally, the lab explores the recognition of mycobacterial lipids by innate immune receptors such as Mincle, contributing to understanding of pathogen-associated molecular patterns and their immunomodulatory functions. The research integrates advanced imaging techniques, genetic labeling, and in vitro models to dissect cell fate, migration, and signaling in neural and immune microenvironments.
