Research introduction
The plant cell is composed of various subcellular compartments. To coordinate and regulate all these subcellular compartments to function as a single unit, a large number of molecules must be involved in these complex processes. Therefore, we are trying to isolate and characterize important molecular players of these processes by molecular, biochemical, and cellular approaches.
We have discovered and characterized many important proteins in various steps of intracellular trafficking pathways and elucidated the molecular mechanisms of protein trafficking. Endocytosis is another important area of our research. Now, we are trying to understand how abiotic and biotic stress responses are regulated by protein trafficking and endocytosis. In addition, we are also actively studying molecular mechanisms of protein targeting to chloroplasts and mitochondria. We started to elucidate the cytosolic events involved in protein targeting to chloroplasts and mitochondria. Furthermore, by deciphering the protein targeting mechanisms to these endosymbiotic organelles, we are trying to understand the evolution of these organelles. Another important research topic is to develop molecular and cellular tools to develop the plant cells as a protein production system for valuable proteins.
We have discovered and characterized many important proteins in various steps of intracellular trafficking pathways and elucidated the molecular mechanisms of protein trafficking. Endocytosis is another important area of our research. Now, we are trying to understand how abiotic and biotic stress responses are regulated by protein trafficking and endocytosis. In addition, we are also actively studying molecular mechanisms of protein targeting to chloroplasts and mitochondria. We started to elucidate the cytosolic events involved in protein targeting to chloroplasts and mitochondria. Furthermore, by deciphering the protein targeting mechanisms to these endosymbiotic organelles, we are trying to understand the evolution of these organelles. Another important research topic is to develop molecular and cellular tools to develop the plant cells as a protein production system for valuable proteins.
Research Area
- ㆍProtein translation mechanism and protein biogenesis
- ㆍProtein targeting and trafficking mechanisms
- ㆍOrganelle biogenesis and evolution
- ㆍAbiotic stress responses and its application in biomass production
- ㆍReprogramming of plant cells as a protein production system
Major publications
- ㆍJunho Lee, et al. (2023) Translation rate underpins specific targeting of N-terminal transmembrane proteins to mitochondria. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 65,6,1505-1520
- ㆍSang-Yun Han, et al. (2023) Comparative transcriptomics reveals the role of altered energy metabolism in the establishment of single-cell C4 photosynthesis in Bienertia sinuspersici. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2023(14)
- ㆍThangarasu Muthamilselvan, et al. (2023) Assembly of Human Papillomavirus 16 L1 Protein in Nicotiana benthamiana Chloroplasts into Highly Immunogenic Virus-Like Particles. Journal of Plant Biology, 1-10
- ㆍJunho Lee, et al. (2023) Translation rate underpins specific targeting of N-terminal transmembrane proteins to mitochondria. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology. 65(6):1505-1520
- ㆍAreum Yun, et al. (2023) Design of an artificial transcriptional system for production of high levels of recombinant proteins in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana). Frontiers in Plant Science, 2023(14): 1138089
- ㆍDabeen Kim, et al. (2022) Understanding protein translocation across chloroplast membranes: translocons and motor proteins. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 65(2):408-416
- ㆍShammi Akter, et al. (2022) Production of active Exendin-4 in Nicotiana benthamiana and its application in treatment of type-2 diabetics. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2022
- ㆍMd Rezaul Islam Khan, et al. (2022) Plant produced endotoxin binding recombinant proteins effectively remove endotoxins from protein samples. Scientific reports, 2022(12):16377
- ㆍSeungjin Woo, et al. (2022) Both metaxin and Tom20 together with two mitochondria-specific motifs support mitochondrial targeting of dual-targeting AtSufE1. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 64(8):1596-1613
- ㆍJinseung Jeong, et al. (2022) GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN variants with enhanced folding are more efficiently imported into chloroplasts. Plant Physiology, 190(1):238-249
Education
- ㆍB.S., Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea (1981)
- ㆍM.S., Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea (1983)
- ㆍPh.D., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (1988)
Career
- ㆍ1988-1993 : Harvard Medical School, Postdoctoral fellow
- ㆍ1993-1999 : Professor at Gyeongsang National University
- ㆍ1998-2007 : Head of the center for protein intracellular trafficking
- ㆍ1999-Present : Professor at POSTECH
- ㆍ2008-2010 : Chairman of Life Science
- ㆍ2008-2013 : Chairman of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology
- ㆍ2019.8-Present : Chief Scientist, Beijing Forestry University, China
Activities
- ㆍEditorial board members: Plant Cell, Plant & Cell Physiology, J. Plant Biology, Frontiers in Plant Cell Biology, Frontiers in Plant Traffic and Transport
- ㆍOrganizer of ICAR-2016 (Korea)
- ㆍPlenary lecture at ICAR in Japan (2010)
- ㆍKeynote speaker at EN PER in Germany (2010)
Major Awards/Honors
- ㆍ2005 : 일맥문화재단, 일맥 문화대상 (과학기술상)
- ㆍ2007 : 포항공과대학교 자랑스런 포스테키안 상 (이학부분)
- ㆍ2008 : (재)인촌기념회, 제23회 인촌상 (과학 부분)
- ㆍ2011 : 포항공과대학교 Fellow 선정
- ㆍ2015 : 한국식물학회 최우수 학술상
- ㆍ2017 : 미래창조과학부&한국과학기술단체총연합회, 대통령표창
- ㆍ2017 : (사)한국분자.세포생물학회, Presidential Lecture Award
- ㆍ2018 : 2018 국가연구개발사업 우수성과 100선
- ㆍ2019 : 산학협력 유공자 부총리 겸 교육부장관 표창
Research Image
