Members | mmgl

Current Members

Ji Eun Lee, PI

Since 2013

I have dedicated my life to understanding human being by studying Life Science in Korea and USA. My areas of expertise are cell and molecular biology, genetics, development, and neurobiology. Zebrafish is my old and close partner in my research. I feel happy when I go abroad to explore new people and world as a wonderer, although I spend most of time in the lab to study my research subjects as a scientist.

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Soo Mi Ki, PhD candidate

Since 2014

Adipocytes play an essential role in supporting endocrine regulation in adipose tissues by storing sufficient nutrients and contributing to metabolic homeostasis. Primary cilia promote adipocyte differentiation in vitro, however the molecular mechanism linking primary cilia to adipogenesis is unknown. To explore a novel mechanism of adipogenesis, I have focused on investigating function of a novel gene identified from human disease-affected individuals. I am mainly working on finding the signaling pathway induced by primary cilia to regulate adipocyte differentiation. I finally expect these findings would provide idea to develop potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases in the future.

Ji Hyun Kim, PhD candidate

Since 2014

I am interested in the coordination between cell cycle progression and ciliogenesis. Although cell cycle and ciliogenesis are simultaneous events, the regulatory mechanism has been poorly understood. To discover the potential molecular relationship, I previously identified “Splicing factor A” that may play a role in the linked mechanism between ciliogenesis and cell cycle progression using genome-wide RNAi screening. Now I am working on investigation of the specific molecular pathway mediated by the splicing factor in cell cycle-related ciliogenesis.

So Yeon Won, PhD candidate

Since 2016

My main research project is to study ciliary functions in myoblast differentiation. The myoblasts are progenitor cells that develop into muscle tissue after differentiation process. Although the relationship between ciliogenesis and autophagy has been reported in myoblast differentiation, the detailed molecular mechanism is still unknown. Thus, I am working on understanding the mechanism interplaying between ciliogenesis and autophagy during muscle differentiation. I wish that my research can be helpful to many patients suffering with muscle dystrophy.

Hui Su Jeong, PhD candidate

Since 2018

I have been focused on Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease to investigate peripheral neuropathy pathogenic mechanism. CMT patients have defects including axonal loss and demyelination that may result in or from weakened synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). I am working on identifying a role of the primary cilia in Schwann cells to control NMJ formation/function to treat CMT eventually.

So Hee Oh, Internship

Since 2021

Ciliopathies are human disorders that result from dysfunction of the primary cilia and can affect most of major organs/tissues, including the skeletal system. However, little is known about the role of cilia in the skeletal development and diseases. Based on that primary cilia are important to regulate morphogen signaling such as sonic Hedgehog (Shh) in the development of chondrocytes and skeletons, I would like to focus on finding the cilia-mediated regulatory mechanisms to treat skeletal disorders. I hope that my research will be useful for patients with skeletal disorders.

Jang Hyun Kim, Internship

Since 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which play an important role in cell-to-cell communication, have recently been attracting attention in therapeutic researches for several diseases. I am interested to investigate what role ciliary EVs play in adipocytes and how they affect metabolic diseases in the end. Accordingly, I am studying molecular mechanisms to regulate the development of primary cilia and ciliary EVs in adipocytes. I hope that my research will serve as a cornerstone to the development of potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases in the future.

Eun Kyong Bae, Researcher

Since 2016

I am managing our zebrafish room and general laboratory paper works. Because I help lots of things for our lab members to focus only their research, so I am absolutely an important person in the lab :D. Please call me big mama in MMGL.

Alumni

Ji Won Shin, Summer Internship (2019)
Yoo Ri Choi, Summer Internship (2018)

Min Jeong Kim, Summer Internship (2017)
Eun Min Shon, Summer Internship (2017)
Min Jeong Kim, Summer Internship (2013)
Jeon Joo Kim, Summer Internship (2013)
Jeong Ri Kim, Researcher (2013-2016)