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Research Highlights

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Research Highlights

Temporally Distinct 3D Multi-Omic Dynamics in the Developing Human Brain

Temporally Distinct 3D Multi-Omic Dynamics in the Developing Human Brain

Prof. Dong-Sung Lee

Professor Dongsung Lee from the College of Medicine at SNU, in collaboration with researchers at UCLA and UCSF, has published a paper in Nature, being the first in the world to study epigenomic changes, including the three-dimensional genome structure and DNA methylation, during human brain development from the fetal stage to adulthood at the single-cell level, using the single-nucleus methyl-3C technology they developed.

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Lysosomal control of senescence and inflammation through cholesterol partitioning

Lysosomal control of senescence and inflammation through cholesterol partitioning

Prof. Chanhee Kang

Whereas cholesterol is vital for cell growth, proliferation, and remodeling, dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism is associated with multiple age-related pathologies. Here we show that senescent cells accumulate cholesterol in lysosomes to maintain the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).

Photocatalytic C–O coupling enzymes that operate via intramolecular electron transfer

Photocatalytic C–O coupling enzymes that operate via intramolecular electron transfer

Prof. Woon Ju Song

Efficient and environmentally friendly conversion of light energy for direct utilization in chemical production has been a long-standing goal in enzyme design.

Sequence determinant of small RNA production by DICER

Sequence determinant of small RNA production by DICER

Prof. V. Narry Kim

RNA silencing relies on specific and efficient processing of double-stranded RNA by Dicer, which yields microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs).

Suppression of cuticular wax biosynthesis mediated by rice LOV KELCH REPEAT PROTEIN 2 supports a negative role in drought stress tolerance

Suppression of cuticular wax biosynthesis mediated by rice LOV KELCH REPEAT PROTEIN 2 supports a negative role in drought stress tolerance

Prof. Nam-Chon Paek

Drought tolerance is important for grain crops, including rice (Oryza sativa); for example, rice cultivated under intermittent irrigation produces less methane gas compared to rice grown in anaerobic paddy field conditions, but these plants require greater drought tolerance.

Cucurbitacin and volatile compound profiling reveals independent domestication of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruit

Cucurbitacin and volatile compound profiling reveals independent domestication of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruit

Prof. Eun Jin Lee

Cucurbitacins and volatile compounds of cucumber fruit of 69 genotypes were profiled. Cucurbitacin C was only detected, while other types were not detected. Distinct genotype traits were classified into four groups based on compound profiles. Volatile compounds in F1 hybrids were lower than those in parents and mid-parents.

Hippocampal engram networks for fear memory recruit new synapses and modify pre-existing synapses in vivo

Hippocampal engram networks for fear memory recruit new synapses and modify pre-existing synapses in vivo

Prof. Bong-Kiun Kaang

As basic units of neural networks, ensembles of synapses underlie cognitive functions such as learning and memory. These synaptic engrams show elevated synaptic density among engram cells following contextual fear memory formation.

Bioengineered liver crosslinked with nano-graphene oxide enables efficient liver regeneration via MMP suppression and immunomodulation

Bioengineered liver crosslinked with nano-graphene oxide enables efficient liver regeneration via MMP suppression and immunomodulation

Prof. Kyung-Sun Kang

Decellularized extracellular matrix scaffold, widely utilized for organ engineering, often undergoes matrix decomposition after transplantation and produces byproducts that cause inflammation, leading to clinical failure.

Mitochondrial Fragmentation and Donut Formation Enhance Mitochondrial Secretion to Promote Osteogenesis

Mitochondrial Fragmentation and Donut Formation Enhance Mitochondrial Secretion to Promote Osteogenesis

Prof. Yun-Sil Lee

Mitochondrial fission and donut formation increase during osteoblast maturation. Fragmented mitochondria and MDVs are secreted extracellularly during osteogenesis. Increasing mitochondrial fission through OPA1 downregulation enhances osteogenesis. Treatment of osteoblast-secreted mitochondria accelerates bone regeneration.

Development of spleen targeting H2S donor loaded liposome for the effective systemic immunomodulation and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Development of spleen targeting H2S donor loaded liposome for the effective systemic immunomodulation and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Prof. Hyung-Jun Im

Nanoparticles are primarily taken up by immune cells after systemic administration. Thus, they are considered an ideal drug delivery vehicle for immunomodulation.

Engineering DNA-based synthetic condensates with programmable material properties, compositions, and functionalities

Engineering DNA-based synthetic condensates with programmable material properties, compositions, and functionalities

Prof. YONGDAE SHIN & DO-NYUN KIM

Biomolecular condensates participate in diverse cellular processes, ranging from gene regulation to stress survival. Bottom-up engineering of synthetic condensates advances our understanding of the organizing principle of condensates

Association between antibiotics and dementia risk: A retrospective cohort study

Association between antibiotics and dementia risk: A retrospective cohort study

Prof. Sang Min Park

The possible relation between antibiotic exposure and the alteration of gut microbiota, which may affect dementia risk, has been revealed. However, the association between antibiotics and dementia incidence has rarely been studied.

Widespread false gene gains caused by duplication errors in genome assemblies

Widespread false gene gains caused by duplication errors in genome assemblies

Prof. Heebal Kim

False duplications in genome assemblies lead to false biological conclusions. We quantified false duplications in popularly used previous genome assemblies for platypus, zebra finch, and Anna’s Hummingbird, and their new counterparts of the same species generated by the Vertebrate Genomes Project, of which the Vertebrate Genomes Project pipeline attempted to eliminate false duplications through haplotype phasing and purging.