Mental disorders, including mood disorders and schizophrenia, represent some of the most pressing health challenges in today's society. Despite their prevalence, the intricate molecular mechanisms driving these disorders remain largely unexplored. At the forefront of this challenge is Molecular Psychiatry, an innovative field that merges molecular neurobiology with psychiatric disorder research. This exciting area of neuroscience offers fresh perspectives in understanding the complex pathogenesis of various psychiatric conditions.

Our lab is dedicated to deepening our understanding of the molecular foundations of major psychiatric disorders. We employ a range of cutting-edge techniques, from biochemistry and molecular biology to cell biology, pharmacology, genetics, and behavioral science. Our research aims to uncover new molecular targets for treatment and broaden our comprehension of higher brain functions. Through our work, we aspire to make significant contributions to mental health treatment and understanding.

조현병 (schizophrenia) 및 우울증(depression) 등을 포함하는 정신질환들은 현재 우리사회에서 많은 사람들이 앓고 있는 질환이지만 명확한 발병 분자기전에의 이해는 초보단계에 불과합니다. 최근 이에 대한 분자생물학적 접근이 활발해져 Molecular Psychiatry (분자 정신의학) 라는 분야로 정립되고 있으며 앞으로 현대 신경과학의 중요한 부분을 차지하고 있습니다. 우리 분자 신경의학 연구실은 이러한 추세에 발맞추어 생화학, 세포학, 약리학, 유전학 그리고 행동생물학적 실험 기술 등을 이용하여 주요 정신질환의 분자기전을 분석하여 새로운 치료에 기여할 정보를 획득하고 더불어 관련 고위 뇌기능의 심층적 이해를 위한 연구를 수행하고 있습니다.

이에 따라 본 연구실에서 학사논문연구를 할 경우 다음과 같은 방향에 관련한 mini-project를 직접 진행하게 됩니다.
- 정신질환 병인 유전인자들의 신경세포 및 신경계 내 기능 분석
- 조현병 병인 요소들간의 기능적 상호작용의 분석
- 행동 분석을 통한 정신질환 관련 동물모델의 정성
- 신경계 발생의 분자기전 분석

Molecular modeling of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder that is thought to have both neurochemical and neurodevelopmental causes in its pathogenesis. The complexity of the pathogenesis has been interfering establishment of the genuine molecular model. Recent advances in human genetics provided reliable candidategenes causative in thee pression of schizophrenia. We attempt to understand their physiological function to elucidate the molecular basis of schizophrenia.

Neurodevelopment and diseases
We are exploring the multifaceted aspects of neurodevelopment and its regulatory mechanisms, with a special focus on how these processes contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. Our research spans several crucial stages of brain development, including neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons), neuronal migration (the movement of neurons to their destined locations in the brain), neuronal maturation (the process of neurons reaching functional maturity), and synaptic formation (the establishment of connections between neurons).

Interorganellar communications and psychiatric conditions
Our lab investigates the complex networks formed by intracellular organelles with primary interest in the Mitochondria-Associated ER Membrane (MAM), a crucial contact site between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. In neurons, MAM is pivotal in modulating signal transduction, neural activity, neuronal metabolism, neuronal apoptosis, and stress responses, primarily through the regulation of intracellular calcium. Our research explores the link between the functionality of these organelle networks and major neuropsychiatric disorders, aiming to uncover new insights into their pathophysiology.

• ㆍNhung TTM et al. (2023) Genome-wide kinase-MAM interactome screening reveals the role of CK2A1 in MAM Ca2+ dynamics linked to DEE-66. PNAS 120 (32) e2303402120
• ㆍCho EB and Woo YS et al. (2023) Ratiometric measurement of MAM Ca2+dynamics using a modified CalfluxVTN. Nat Communications 13:3586
• ㆍMun DJ et al. (2023) Gcap14 is a novel microtubule plus-end-tracking protein coordinating microtubule-actin crosstalk during neurodevelopment. PNAS 120 (8) e2214507120
• ㆍGoo BS et al. (2022) Schizophrenia-associated Mitotic Arrest Deficient-1 (MAD1) regulates the polarity of migrating neurons in the developing neocortex. Molecular Psychiatry 28:856~870
• ㆍPark SJ et al. (2017) DISC1 Modulates Neuronal Stress Responses by Gate-Keeping ER-Mitochondria Ca2+ Transfer through the MAM. Cell Reports 21:2748-2759
• ㆍPark YU et al. (2010) Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1(DISC1) plays essential roles in mitochondria in collaboration with Mitofilin. PNAS 107:17785-90
• ㆍPark SK et al. (2005) Par-4 links dopamine signaling and depression. Cell 122:275-287

• ㆍB.S., Seoul National University, Korea (1991)
• ㆍM.S., Seoul National University, Korea (1993)
• ㆍPh.D., University of Virginia, USA (2001)

• ㆍ2001-2006 : Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School/Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• ㆍ2006-2006 : Postdoctoral Associate, MIT/Picower Institute of Learning and Memory
• ㆍ2004-2008 : NARSAD Young Investigator
• ㆍ2014-2014 : Research Scientist, Jonhs Hopkins University School of Medicine
• ㆍ2006-Present : Assistant, Associate, and Full professor, Dept. of Life Sciences, POSTECH

• ㆍElucidation of modulatory pathways for dopamine receptor signaling
• ㆍUnderstanding of the cellular function of schizophrenia susceptibility factors
• ㆍAnalysis of functional relationships among the risk components of psychiatric diseases

• ㆍ2004 & 2006 : National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD, USA Young Investigator Awards
• ㆍ2011 : MEST Excellent Research Achievements 50
• ㆍ2011 : National R&D Achievements 100
• ㆍ2019 : Proud POSTECHIAN Award