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Genome Editing Research Center

Genome Editing Research Center
Objectives
  • Securing of technologies to respond to a national epidemic of an infectious disease
  • Development of new technologies to overcome super-bacteria
  • Securing of diagnostic and preventive technologies against viruses
  • Establishment of a network hub of technologies to deal with an infectious disease in Korea
Researcher
researchers and research statement
Name Research Fields
Choong-Min Ryu
(Associate Director)
  • Bacteria-bacteria communication, Bacteria-plant interactions, plant immunity
Jae Gu Pan
  • Molecular microbial physiology and antimicrobial genomics
Won-Gon Kim
  • Discovery and development of new antibacterials
  • Microbial natural product chemistry/biosynthetic engineering
Seung-Hwan Park
  • Functional genomic study of Bacillus spp. and peptide antibiotics
Soo-Keun Choi
  • Genetics and genomics of Gram-positive bacteria
Haeyoung Jeong
  • High-throughput sequencing and analysis of microbial genomes
  • Genomic epidemiological study of nosocomial infection-related bacteria
Dae Gwin Jeong
  • Structural Vaccinology, Diagnostic Virology
Haryoung Poo
  • Development of vaccine adjuvants and study of their immune mechanism
  • Development of a cervical cancer vaccine using lactobacillus as a vehicle
Doo-Jin Kim
  • DNA vaccines against acute respiratory viral diseases (influenza and MERS)
  • Interaction between influenza viral proteins and host immune system
  • Immunomodulatory function of bacterial extracellular vesicels
Hye Kwon Kim
  • Viral infectious diseases in animals
  • Identification and characterization of novel viruses
Ji Hyung Kim
  • Antibiotic-resistance & virulence on aquatic pathogens
  • Zoonotic bacterial diseases in animals
Sun-Woo Yoon
  • Pathogenesis and genetic characterization of influenza viruses
  • Development of influenza vaccine technologies using the reverse genetics system
Moo-Seung Lee
  • Characterization of enterohaemorragic E.coli Shiga toxins to cause acute renal failure
  • Efficient production of recombinant antimicrobial hybrid peptides and therapeutic proteins to prevent pathogens from infecting host
  • Understanding microbial toxin-host interaction
Jun-Seob Kim
  • Control of multi-drug resistance (superbacteria)
  • Bacterial persistence (Non-inherited antibiotic resistance)
Sung-Kyun Park
  • Stage-specific control of B cell development and function
  • Development of therapeutic antibody for viral infectious diseases
research areas
  • Analysis and reengineering of bacterial genome for improved antibiotics production and Bacillus bacterial factory
  • Discovery of a multidrug resistance-modifying mechanism by small RNA
  • Discovery of natural antimicrobials and identification of antibiotic targets using a genomic library
  • Bacteria display of enzymes and vaccines
  • Bacteria-host interaction
  • Development of new vaccine technologies, including subunit, genetic, and live attenuated vaccines against influenza viruses
    • Several candidates of subunit vaccines have been developed via prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein expression systems, using the HA, M2, and NP antigens. We have succeeded in the design and mass production of novel vaccine candidates, and have currently evaluated their efficacies as vaccine candidates in animal models.
  • Development of new vaccine adjuvants using bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and the investigation of its immunomodulatory mechanisms
    • As an efficacious vaccine adjuvant candidate, we have developed bacterial OMVs. Study of the immune mechanism of the adjuvant has revealed that it strongly induces both humoral and cellular immune responses by stimulating innate immune receptors such as TLRs. Recently we are also studying the antiviral effect and mechanisms of action of OMVs in vivo and in vitro. The efficacy of the OMV adjuvant has been evaluated in rodent as well as porcine models.
  • Basic research on pandemic influenza, including surveillance and genetic characterization
    • We have isolated influenza viruses from fecal samples of wild migratory birds and ducks in Korea. We have completely identified the positive isolates and have genetically and pathogenically characterized them (Namet al., J. Virol 2011). In addition, we have evaluated in vitro and in vivo activities of some candidates of antiviral agents.
Achievements
  • Probiotic Paenibacillus- Analysis of ita genome and interaction with plants
    • Understanding the characteristics of Paenibacillus strains and mechanism of plant growth promotion and resistance development
  • Discovery of NRP gene cluster from Paenibacillus polymyxa
    • Discovery of biosynthesis gene clusters of polymyxin, fusaricidin, and tridecaptin based on the genome information, their expression regulation, and generation of new antimicrobial metabolites
  • Discovery of novel antimicrobials with new mode-of-action
    • Development of new natural antimicrobials from antinomyces, fungi and plants
    • Investigation of multiple-target antibiotic mechanisms and discovery of new concept antibiotic targets
  • Discovery of new multiple drug resistance mechanisms based on small RNA
    • An activity monitoring system of the sRNA library and analysis of their functions in antibiotic resistance development
  • Roles of volatile organic compounds in bacteria communication
    • Systematic understanding of bacterial interaction by volatile organic compounds in antibiotic resistance development
  • Spore display system for enzymes and vaccines
    • Development of a new display system for enzymes and antigens on the surface of Bacillus spores
  • Bacteria acetylproteomes
    • Systematic identification and understanding of post-translationally acetylated proteins in bacteria
  • Transfer of technologies and know-how of refinement of canine influenza vaccine antigen
  • Development of candidate materials for universal vaccines based on HA and M2 antigens
  • Development of a new vaccine adjuvant ased on bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and evaluation on the efficacy in small and large animal models
  • Investigation on the immunomodulatory and antiviral functions of OMVs
  • Isolation and characterization of influenza viruses from domestic wild birds, dogs, horses, and human patients.