Optogenetics & RNA Editing Laboratory

Our laboratory is actively involved in visualizing (Visualizing) biomolecules such as mRNA/proteins/antibodies, controlling (Controlling) them with light, and developing treatment technologies (Repairing) as new paradigms of mRNA editing, mRNA modulation, and optogenetic medicine. These endeavors form the foundation for cellular biology and neuroscience research. We have been developing new bio-imaging, optogenetics, and chemogenetics technologies to study vital biological phenomena and cellular functions across various cells and animals. Our research encompasses several fields like cell growth, migration, death, cancer cell metastasis, and brain functions, which are regulated through cell signaling pathways composed of a variety of secondary messengers and numerous signaling proteins. In our lab, we aim to understand the molecular mechanisms occurring in cells and animals, like the cellular signaling during cancer cell metastasis, or the processes happening in stem cells present in the body. We use our advanced bio-imaging techniques to visualize these complex cellular signaling systems in living cells and animals in real-time. Also, we leverage our developed optogenetics and chemogenetics technologies to remotely control cellular functions. Over the past decade, we have pioneered the development of novel bio-imaging technologies to explore cellular and molecular functions in various cells, including cancer cells, neurons, immune cells, and stem cells. By merging our various technologies like bio-imaging, optogenetics, protein engineering, cell control, mRNA control, and stem cell control, we aim to develop treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, cancer, spinal nerve damage, and Coronavirus infection. We have always been