People

Hee-Seok Kweon, Ph.D.

KBSI, Principal Research Scientist
Principal Investigator of BDCC

Research Interests

Morpho-functional study of degenerative brain disease

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Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are examples of degenerative brain diseases (DBD), which damage the structure and function of the brain and cause cognitive, behavioral, and neurological difficulties. Because the causes and mechanisms of DBD are still unknown, more research is required to understand and cure it. Electron microscopy (EM) is an effective tool for studying DBD at the ultrastructural level, revealing the intricacies of neurons, synapses, and organelles. We study the morphological properties of brain neurons and tissues, such as plaques, tangles, Lewy bodies, and synaptic plasticity, employing analytical methods such as high-resolution image analysis, immuno-EM, 3D-reconstruction using electron tomography, and cryo-EM. Through behavioral tests in animal models, we examine ultrastructural abnormalities in different brain areas and cell types in DBD and analyze them in connection to functional impairments. In addition, we are investigating new medications and treatment effects for DBD morphological and functional recovery.

Recent Publications
  1. Orthodenticle homeobox 2 is transported to lysosomes by nuclear budding vesicles, Nature Communications, 2023, v.14 no.1, 1111.
  2. MARS2 drives metabolic switch of non-small-cell lung cancer cells via interaction with MCU, Redox Biology, 2023, v.60, 102628
  3. Umbelliferone Ameliorates Memory Impairment and Enhances Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity in Scopolamine-Induced Rat Model, Nutrients, 2023, v.15 no.10, 2351.
  4. Pharmacological inhibition of AIMP2 aggregation attenuates α-synuclein aggregation and toxicity in Parkinson's disease, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2022, v.156, 113908.
  5. A novel role of CRTC2 in promoting nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Molecular Metabolism, 2022. v.55, 101402

Participating Faculty and Researchers

  • Yang Hoon Huh, Ph.D.

    Principal Researcher
    Team Leader

  • Hyeongseop Jeong, Ph.D.

    Senior Researcher

  • Sang Hee Lee, Ph.D.

    Senior Researcher

  • Hang Yeon Jeong, Ph.D.

    Postdoctoral Researcher

  • Ga-Young Choi, Ph.D.

    Postdoctoral Researcher

Researchers
A Reum JE
Email : areum83@kbsi.re.kr
Research Interests : TEM, Bio-HVEM, life science, neuroscience, microstructure, tomography, immuno-EM, 3D-Electron tomography
Eunyoung Moon
Email : mey0916@kbsi.re.kr
Research Interests : TEM, Bio-HVEM, life science, neuroscience, microstructure, immuno-EM, 3D-Electron tomography
Yoonsun Yi
Email : yys02@kbsi.re.kr
Research Interests : Structural biology using Cryo-EM
Seohyeong Lee
Email : seoh1016@kbsi.re.kr
Research Interests : Cryo-EM applications
Hyo Sung Choi
Email : abby1201@kbsi.re.kr
Research Interests : 3D-Electron Tomography, Molecular Analysis Using Python