TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT LABORATORY
Seoul National University
College of Veterinary Medicine
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We have diverse interests in Cancer/Radiation Biology and Inflamatory Diseases. Here are only some of the in-depth projects currently undergoing in the lab. Since we're trying to pursue 'TRANSLATION RESEARCH' (i.e., clinical implication & applicability), please take a look at 'Collaborators' section below for more information on our latest research interests.
GO GET EM TIGER!
BLOCK MACROPHAGES!
Macrophages are well known for their protumoral roles. Recently we have reported that macrophages can exacerbate tumor hypoxia and aerobic glycolysis. If they can consume oxygen and glucose, how will they regulate T cell functions and immunotherapy? How can we block macrophages? What signaling in macrophages is responsible for this phenomenon? We have all the know-hows and the newest mouse lung cancer model (ALK overexpression) mimicking patients in the lab to address this question!
FLASH, THE NEW RADIOTHERAPY ON THE BLOCK!
In the clinic, we treat tumors with radiotherapy using LINAC (linear accelerator), proton radiotherapy, or carbon (particle) radiotherapy. In collaboration with Stanford University, US, we are exploring novel biological mechanisms (effects in the tumor microenvironment) from the latest radiotherapy technique called FLASH. This is ultra-fast dose rate ionizing radiotherapy, which can deliver 20 Gy (very high dose of ionizing radiation) in just a couple of seconds!
YOUR FAT , YOUR GENE IN MACROPHAGES!
We have recently created novel myeloid-specific knockout mice in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathway and found that these mice exhibit anti-obese phenotype. We're currently investigating the molecular mechanisms and seeing that it is Hif-alpha gene in macrophages regulating the diet-induced obesity. We're expanding this idea to Cancer Biology to see how macrophage could regulate fat metabolism in cancer cells.
BETTER MOUSE MODEL FOR BETTER IMMUNOTHERAPY TO TREAT LUNG CANCER!
Current response rate for the latest immunotherapy (PD-1 or PD-L1 bloackdes) in lung cancer patients (NSCLC) is only about 30%. To increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy, we need to understand how immune cells function and interact with each other during the lung cancer progression. We have a novel strain of mouse lung cancer mimicking NSCLC patients (ALK overexpressed tumors) to address this.
SEEING IS BELIEVING!
We are interested in the real-time in vivo imaging of macrophages (and other immune cells such as T cells) infiltrating into tumors using the dorsal (and intracranial) window chamber techniques that we have established in our lab. We can powerfully manipulate cancer cells so that they can express reporters upon metabolic/stress conditions. In addition, we can study the mechanisms of various anticancer modalities (such as DNA repair inhibitors, checkpoint blockades, and anti-angiogenic agents) in live mice.
ARE YOU BREATHING?
OXYGEN-SENSING IN MACROPHAGES!
We have recently reported that tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) can compete with cancer cells for oxygen and glucose. Does hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) regulate this mechanism? Does this occur in other metabolic diseases such as obsity and cancer cachexia? We have novel strains of mice targeting HIF pathways in macrophages to address this!
PUBLICATIONS
Major publications only
Oct 27, 2023
FLASH Radiotherapy: A FLASHing Idea to Preserve Neurocognitive Function
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Jo HJ et al., Brain Tumor Res Treat (2023), 11(4): 223–231
Apr 30, 2023
DNA-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE CATALYTIC SUBUNIT (DNA-PKCS): BEYOND THE DNA DOUBLE-STRAND BREAK REPAIR
Nov 10, 2022
EFFECTS OF ULTRA-HIGH DOSE RATE FLASH IRRADIATION ON THE TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT IN LEWIS LUNG CARCINOMA: ROLE OF MYOSIN LIGHT CHAIN
Lee YR et al., Mol cells (2023), 46(4): 200–205
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Kim YE et al., Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys (2020), S0360-0316(20)34500-4
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Young-Eun Kim received 2012 Global PhD Fellowship, 2015 Keystone Scholarship (Dublin, Ireland), 2018 KSMCB Best Poster Award (Seoul, Korea)
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Seung-Hee Gwak received 2019 Junior Investigator Award (Tumor Microenvironment Workshop, Florida, US)
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Beom-Ju Hong received 2013 Global PhD Fellowship, 2015 Junior Investigator Award (ICRR, Kyoto, Japan), 2015 Excellent Poster Award (ICRR, Kyoto, Japan), 2017 Junior Investigator Award (Tumor Microenvironment Workshop, Florida, US)
Sep 28, 2020
Feb 15, 2019
TARGETED DEGRADATION OF TRANSCRIPTION COACTIVATOR SRC-1 THROUGH THE N-DEGRON PATHWAY
TUMOR-ASSOCIATED MACROPHAGES ENAHNCE TUMOR HYPOXIA AND AEROBIC GLYCOLYSIS
Lee Y et al., Angew Chem Int Ed Engl (2020) 59(40), 17548-17555
Hoibin Jeong received 2016 POSCO CheongAm Graduate Fellowship, 2019 Best Research Paper in the Dept Life Science POSTECH
Jeong & Kim et al., Cancer Res (2019), 79(4):795-806
Hoibin Jeong received 2016 POSCO CheongAm Graduate Fellowship, 2019 Best Research Paper in the Dept Life Science POSTECH
Chan-Ju Lee received 2015 Young Investigator Award (ICRR, Kyoto, Japan)
Introduced at BioWorld, Editor's Choice
Jul 30, 2018
HIF-1A ACTIVATION IN MYELOID CELLS ACCELERATES DEXTRAN SODIUM SULFATE-INDUCED COLITIS PROGRESSION IN MICE
Kim et al., Dis Model Mech (2018) 11(7), pii:dmm033241
Young-Eun Kim received 2012 Global PhD Fellowship, 2015 Keystone Scholarship (Dublin, Ireland), 2018 KSMCB Best Poster Award (Seoul, Korea)
Jeongwoo Kim received 2016 Global PhD Fellowship
Sujin Yeo received 2014 Global PhD Fellowship
Dec 1, 2017
HYPOXIA-INDUCIBLE FACTOR-1A REGULATES MICROGLIAL FUNCTIONS AFFECTING NEURONAL SURVIVAL IN THE ACUTE PHASE OF ISCHEMIC STROKE IN MICE
Oncotarget (2017), 8(67), 111508-111521
Seoyeon Bok is currently doing her postdoctoral fellowship in Cornell University, US
Dec, 2016
TUMOR HYPOXIA AND REOXYGENATION: THE YIN AND YANG FOR RADIOTHERAPY
Hong et al., Radiat Oncol J (2016), 34(4), 239-249
Beom-Ju Hong received 2013 Global PhD Fellowship, 2015 Junior Investigator Award (ICRR, Kyoto, Japan), 2015 Excellent Poster Award (ICRR, Kyoto, Japan), 2017 Junior Investigator Award (Tumor Microenvironment Workshop, Florida, US)
Jul 1, 2016
RADIATION-INDUCED ESOPHAGITIS IN VIVO AND IN VITRO REVEALS THAT EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR IS A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION STRATEGY.
Kim & Jeon et al., Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys (2016), 95(3), 1032-1041
Jul 1, 2016
REAL-TIME TUMOR OXYGENATION CHANGES AFTER SINGLE HIGH-DISE RADIATION THERAPY IN ORTHOTOPIC AND SUBCUTANOUES LUNG CANCER IN MICE: CLINICAL IMPLICATION FOR STEREOTACTIC ABLATIVE RADIATION THERAPY SCHEDULE OPTIMIZATION.
Song & Hong et al., Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys (2016), 95(3), 1022-1031
Introduced as research highlight
Commented by Editor-in-Chief at PodCast
Aug 7, 2015
IN VIVO IMAGING OF ACTIVATED MICROGLIA IN A MOUSE MODEL OF FOCAL CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA BY TWO-PHOTON MICROSCOPY
Bok et al., Biomed Opt Express (2015), 6(9), 3303-3312
Feb 18, 2014
TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVATION OF HYPOXIA-INDUCIBLE FACTOR-1 (HIF-1) IN MYELOID CELLS PROMOTES ANGIOGENESIS THROUGH VEGF AND S100A8
Ahn et al., PNAS (2014), 111(7), 2698-2703
May 4, 2010
INHIBITION OF MAC-1 (CD11B/CD18) ENHANCES TUMOR RESPONSE TO RADIATION BY REDUCING MYELOID CELL RECRUITMENT
Ahn et al., PNAS (2010), 107(18), 8363-8368
Introduced as research highlight at Nature Medicine
Mar 2008
MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-9 IS REQUIRED FOR TUMOR VASCULOGENESIS BUT NOT FOR ANGIOGENESIS: ROLE OF BONE MARROW-DERIVED MYELOMONOCYTIC CELLS
Ahn & Brown, Cancer Cell (2008), 13(3), 193-205
Introduced as research highlight
Jun 14, 2006
RADIOLYTIC AND CELLULAR REDUCTION OF A NOVEL HYPOXIA-ACTIVATED COBALT (III) PRODRUG OF A CHLOROMETHYLBENZINDOLINE DNA MINOR GROOVE ALKYLATOR
Ahn et al., Biochem Pharmacol (2006), 71(12), 1683-1694
Sep 2004
OPTIMIZATION OF THE AUXILIARY LIGAND SHELL OF COBALT(III)(8-HYDROXYQUINOLINE) COMPLEXES AS MODEL HYPOXIA-SELECTIVE RADIATION-ACTIVATED PRODRUGS
Ahn et al., Radiat Res (2004), 162(3), 315-325
LAB MEMBERS
Current lab members
G-ONE AHN, PH.D.
PI (Lab Head)
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2019.09~present: Associate Professor, Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine
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2020.03~present: Adjunct Professor, Seoul National University College of Medicine (Cancer Biology Collaborative Course)
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2017.03~2017.09: Visiting Professor, Stem Cell Institute and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine (Irving L. Weissman's lab)
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2015.09~2019.08: Associate Professor, Integrative Biosciences Biotechnology(IBB)/Life Science, POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology)
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2011.04~2015.08: Assistant Professor, IBB, POSTECH
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2008.09~2011.03: Research Associate, Stanford University School of Medicine (Dept Radiation Oncology, J. Martin Brown's lab)
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2003.09~2008.08: Postdoc, Stanford University School of Medicine (Dept Radiation Oncology, J. Martin Brown's lab)
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2000.03~2003.08: Ph.D. in Pathology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, William R. Wilson's lab)
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1998.03~2000.02: M.Sc. (Hons) in Pharmacology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (Mark J. McKeage's lab)
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1995.03~1998.02: B.Sc. in Chemistry & Pharmacology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
ALUMNI
Past lab members
(students & postdocs only)
PHOEBE LOO, B.S
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2024.07.01 ~ 2024.09.03: Research Intern, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University
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2022.06 ~ 2022.07: Research Intern, Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania (Lab of Constantinos Koumenis)
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2020 ~ 2021: Clinical Research Intern, Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University (PIs: Daniel Chang and Erqi Pollom)
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2020.09 ~ 2024.06: Undergraduate student, Department of Biology, Stanford University [Honors]
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2019 ~ present: Researcher, Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University (Lab of Erinn Rankin)
RECRUITING INFORMATION
Graduate students, postdocs, and more!
Open for 2024 Fall Semester Admission
GRADUATE STUDENTS
We are actively recruiting graduate students for MS-PhD combined or PhD degrees. If interested, please e-mail us with your transcript and CV.
Currently Closed
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
We are also actively recruiting postdoctoral research fellows. Those whom have biomedical expertise (Cancer Biology, Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Radiation Biology, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine) are particularly welcome (but not necessary). All fields of expertise are encouraged. If interested, please email your CV with a list of publications.
Currently Closed
RESEARCHERS
We hire full-time research technicians. Experience in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, in vivo mouse handling are particularly preferred but not necessary.
Open
INTERNSHIP
We welcome undergraduate students for internship in the lab. They will experience various aspects of research - performing, writing, reading, and designing research by participating various activities in the lab.
If you're interested, you should write to PI to inquire the application process.
NEWS AND EVENTS
OUR 2019 CANCER RESEARCH PAPER RECEIVES THE MOST-CITED PAPER AWARD FROM AACR!
Posted: Feb 8th, 2021
Our 2019 Cancer Research paper, 'Tumor-associated macrophages enhance tumor hypoxia and aerobic glycolysis' was one of the most highly cited Cancer Research articles published in 2019! This will be highlighted as 'The Best of the AACR Journals' in upcoming AACR virtual annual meeting 2021 in May. Those of you who attend the AACR meeting this year, please check out our paper being highlighted!
My profile will also be highlighted in May at the following website:
LAB SOCIAL / DINING OUT!
Once a month get together to dine out
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03.07.25 - Lunch @ Mohing
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08.31.21 - Lunch @ the Faculty Club, Seoul National University
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08.13.21 - Lunch @ Korean BBQ, NakSeongDae
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07.26.21 - Lunch @ the Faculty Club, Seoul National University
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05.11.21 - Lunch @ Korean BBQ, NakSeongDae
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02.02.21 - Farewell dinner for internship students @ Wow steak house
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01.07.21 - Take out lunch (Welcoming for internship students) from Italy SangHuae
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12.24.20 - Lunch, take out from Italy SangHuae (Pasta & Pizza), Seminar room 412, Building 81
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10.12.20 - Lunch @ the Faculty Club, SNU
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10.08.20 - Dinner @Wow steak house, NakSungDae
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07.24.20 - Dinner @ Jeju Black pork BBQ, NakSungDae
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07.03.20 - Dinner @ BBQ Cafe, SNU
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04.29.20 - Lunch @ Syaban, SNU
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03.17.20 - Lunch @ SoDamMaRu, SNU
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01.16.20 - Dinner @ BBQ, NakSungDae
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12.18.19 - Lunch @ La Cucina, SNU
WE HAVE MOVED!
Posted Sep 2020
Aug 2nd, 2020
We've moved from building 85 to building 81!
Checkout the latest mailing address:
Lab: Rm 421, Building 81
Office: Rm 414, Building 81
FACS (FLUORESCENCE-ACTIVATED CELL SORTER) MACHINE IN THE LAB!
Arrived Jan, 2021 from US!
Now we have a new FACS machine in the lab!!
No compensation is needed - Analyzing the whole spectra of a fluorochrome. With this technology, we can look up to 20 different fluorescence!
Doesn't Hyo Jae look happy with FACS? ^_^
CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Posted Sep 2021
Our lab is one of the participating research laboratories at Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University.
https://cri.snu.ac.kr/
Check out our lab at SNU CRI website by clicking 'more' button below.
LAB PHOTOS
Social photos
ENQUIRY
서울시 관악구 관악로 1, 서울대학교 수의과대학 81동 414호 (Lab: 421호)
Rm 414 (Lab: Rm 421), Building 81
College of Veterinary Medicine
Seoul National University
1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu
Seoul 08826, Korea
02-880-1179