BraIN Gene Regulation and Epigenetics
Principal Investigator
Dr. Hoon Ryu earned his doctoral degree from Jeonbuk National University, South Korea. He completed a postdoctoral research fellowship and was appointed Instructor of Neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in 1999. He joined the Boston University School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology in 2004 as an Assistant Professor, where he became an Associate Professor in 2007 and an Adjunct Associate Professor in 2020. Now He has been a principal researcher of the laboratory for Brain Gene Regulation and Epigenetics in the Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) since 2019. He is now Professor of Bio-Medicine Science & Technology at the University of Science and Technology (UST). He works on the mechanisms of gene regulation and epigenetic modification in the pathogenesis of brain disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The studies focus on cell and non-cell autonomous mechanisms of neurodegeneration, and development of new neurotherapeutic strategies combined with translational study in animal models of brain disorders. He has published over 150 papers where the cumulative number of citations is more than 13,300 (h index: 57).
BINGRE Research Teams
We are proud to present our world-class research teams!
Research Topics
RESEARCH INTEREST I
Epigenetic mechanisms of brain disorders
“Epigenetics is general phenomena in our lives!”
Epigenetic changes encompass an array of molecular modifications (methylation, acetylation, etc.) to DNA, RNA, and chromatin without sequence mutation. Growing evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications constitute essential molecular pathways and its impairment contributes to neurodegeneration. In this paradigm, epigenetic changes are expected to be a potential mechanism to explain unresolved phenomena beyond the genetic link with brain diseases. The BINGRE Laboratory studies the epigenetic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Epigenetic changes encompass an array of molecular modifications (methylation, acetylation, etc.) to DNA, RNA, and chromatin without sequence mutation. Growing evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications constitute essential molecular pathways and its impairment contributes to neurodegeneration. In this paradigm, epigenetic changes are expected to be a potential mechanism to explain unresolved phenomena beyond the genetic link with brain diseases. The BINGRE Laboratory studies the epigenetic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Importantly, epigenetic modifications are reversible while genetic mutations are irreversible. Therefore, from a therapeutic perspective, epigenetic components and modifications are strong candidates for drug targets. In this context, the main interest of BINGRE lab is the development of drug formulations that realign epigenetic balance and ameliorate epigenetic defects associated with brain disorders.
The Focus of Research:
1. Identification of epigenetic targets closely related to brain disorders
2. Revealing the epigenetic mechanisms of neurodegeneration
3. Development of therapeutic agents that epigenetically reverse/treat brain disorders
RESEARCH INTEREST II
Brain pathology and physiology
The integration of artificial intelligence with physics-based computational approaches is redefining modern drug discovery, offering powerful solutions for challenging brain disorders. At BINGRE Lab, we leverage AI-driven models with structure-based design and molecular dynamics simulations to identify, evaluate, and optimize small-molecule therapeutics, enabling deeper insight into protein–ligand interactions and improved efficacy and selectivity.
“Seeing is believing”
Pathological examination of human brain cell types or tissues (Gold Standard) is very important to understand brain diseases. BINGRE Lab is using postmortem brain tissues through MOU with Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (BUADRC). Immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, live cell imaging, electron microscopy, and 3D image construction are being performed to precisely observe the inside of the normal versus neurodegenerative brains with AD, ALS, HD and TBI.
Pathological examination of human brain cell types or tissues (Gold Standard) is very important to understand brain diseases. BINGRE Lab is using postmortem brain tissues through MOU with Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (BUADRC). Immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, live cell imaging, electron microscopy, and 3D image construction are being performed to precisely observe the inside of the normal versus neurodegenerative brains with AD, ALS, HD and TBI.
We are recording electropysiological signals with patch-clamp from single neurons or brain tissues to study changes in synaptic activity under various neurodegenerative conditions. In addition, the BINGRE Lab is skillful with state-of-the-art experiments such as ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) and RNA sequencing, and single cell/nuclei transcriptome as well as with routine experiments such as viral gene delivery, quantitative PCR, and Western blot analysis.
RESEARCH INTEREST III
AI-based behavior analysis
“Now AI rules”
Behavior tests enable the evaluation of intelligence (cognition and memory), motion, and emotion in animal models of brain disorder. BINGRE Lab quantitatively analyzes the movements of primates and mice by calculating the 3-dimentional (3-D) coordination of body parts with AI deep learning.
Behavior tests enable the evaluation of intelligence (cognition and memory), motion, and emotion in animal models of brain disorder. BINGRE Lab quantitatively analyzes the movements of primates and mice by calculating the 3-dimentional (3-D) coordination of body parts with AI deep learning.
Not only we are performing electrophysiological simulation of single neuronal activity but also we are defining brain circuits to explain how functional changes are associated with cellular and molecular changes in the brain system.
RESEARCH INTEREST IV
AI-Driven Drug Discovery
The integration of artificial intelligence with physics-based computational approaches is redefining modern drug discovery, offering powerful solutions for challenging brain disorders. At BINGRE Lab, we leverage AI-driven models with structure-based design and molecular dynamics simulations to identify, evaluate, and optimize small-molecule therapeutics, enabling deeper insight into protein–ligand interactions and improved efficacy and selectivity.
By integrating data-driven predictions with mechanistic simulations, we focus on uncovering novel targets, understanding dynamic binding mechanisms, and advancing lead optimization for neurological and neuroinflammatory diseases, ultimately accelerating the development of clinically relevant therapeutics.
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
Highlighted Papers
Research News
![[Newsweek]-Alzheimer's-Development-as-Cellular-Cleaners-Offer-Hope-for-New-Treatments](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GjlJZ03-DerYd2eergeQZmrs-47i0QgC6fDfkGNzuEy_oEje35qm2hdEruTAHC6SVSMpYSVfLLfvUrNTBwSkYy5NZKmCVOGTacp9bOddpYlrFS-ReHmbitM=w700-h500-n)
7
Scientists may have uncovered a new mechanism for treating Alzheimer's disease, offering hope to millions of patients worldwide. The discovery involves the activation of the brain's cellular clean-up crew, resulting in improvements in memory and cognitive function in mouse models. Alzheimer's affects roughly 5.8 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The progressive disease is the most common form of dementia and is associated with memory loss and cognitive decline in regions of the brain involved in thought, memory and language. Today, there is no known cure for Alzheimer's, although scientists believe that it is caused by the abnormal buildup of proteins in and around the brain cells. In the past, scientists observed that special immune cells in the brain called astrocytes became activated in res
- Bingre
- 1년 전
- 31
6
한국과학기술연구원(KIST) 뇌의약연구단 류훈 박사 연구팀(제1저자 이정희·황유진·김연하·이민영 박사, 현승재 박사과정)은 19일 헌팅턴병 초파리 모델과 생쥐 동물모델에서 히스톤메틸화효소를 억제하면 신경세포 기능이 회복되고 운동조절능력이 향상됐다고 밝혔다. 류훈 박사팀은 히스톤메틸화효소를 약물 타깃으로 한 중개연구를 시행한 결과, 기존에 알려진 항생제 약물로 비정상적으로 증가한 히스톤메틸화효소를 억제하면 히스톤메틸화의 항상성이 균형을 이뤄 헌팅턴병 생쥐 뇌의 선조체 신경세포 기능이 회복되고 운동조절능력이 향상됐으며 수명이 연장됐다고 설명했다. 출처 : 청년의사(http://www.docdocdoc.co.kr)
- 김채빈
- 4년 전
- 36
5
한국과학기술연구원(KIST)은 뇌과학연구소 류훈 책임연구원과 이정희 보스턴대 의과대학 교수, 서혜명 한양대 분자생명과학과 교수 등 공동연구팀이 헌팅턴병 환자의 신경세포가 사멸해 미토콘드리아 기능을 저하하는 현상의 원인을 발견했다고 3일 밝혔다. 연구진은 헌팅턴병 환자 사후 뇌 조직과 마우스·세포모델 실험 등을 통해 헌팅턴병에 걸리면 신경세포 미토콘드리아 내에서 XIAP 단백질이 줄어들 때 p53 단백질이 활성화해 비정상적인 세포손상이 일어나는 것을 발견했다. 류 책임연구원은 "이번 연구성과로 질병 원인 파악과 치료에 한층 가깝게 다가가게 됐다"며 "헌팅턴병뿐만 아니라 치매 또는 파킨슨병과 같은 다른 퇴행성 뇌 질환의 병리기전을 이해하는 데도 도움이 될 것으로 기대한다"고 말했다. https://m.mk.co.kr/news/it/view/2021/08/749697/
- 김채빈
- 4년 전
- 30
4
“무덤이 있고 묘비가 세워져 있다고 해보세요. 묘비의 이름을 바꾼다고 무덤의 주인이 바뀌지 않지요? 근원(사람)을 바꿔야 합니다. 치매도 비슷합니다. 치료하려면 진짜 근원, 환경을 바꿔야 합니다.” 류훈 한국과학기술연구원(KIST) 뇌과학연구소 신경과학연구단장은 치매를 두려워하는 많은 사람에게 희망이 될 법한 말을 했다. 그동안 원인을 제대로 알지 못해 운명처럼 받아들여야 했던 치매가 실은 후천적 환경의 영향으로 생기며, 환경을 잘 관리하면 발생 확률을 줄일 수 있다는 사실을 밝히고 있기 때문이다. 그는 “현재 많은 뇌과학자들이 치매와 관련이 있는 물질인 ‘아밀로이드베타’와 같은 뇌 속 노폐물 단백질을 연구하지만 신약 개발 성공률이 1% 미만으로 낮다”면서 “근본 치료를 위해 환경 연구에 눈을 돌려야 하는 이유”라고 말했다. https://www.dongascience.com/news.php?idx=27435
- 김채빈
- 4년 전
- 89
![[사이테크-플러스]-"치매-원인물질-타우단백질-분해하는-새-메커니즘-찾았다"](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rywMa5zcucLMRRiuuHtA1QwE1QHiAMlgeQb-BIj983SCk1xEN5daJxRcQrdZ5eacUaiy2CyYXTk_PsIHYcsVZJ-Sm5j7x2m9bhzQ91eBkbEqT8JYhRrW=w700-h500-n)
3
한국과학기술연구원(KIST) 뇌과학연구소 류훈 박사와 한국생명공학연구원(KRIBB) 질환표적연구센터 유권 박사 연구팀은 27일 타우단백질이 기존에 알려진 단백질분해효소복합체(프로테아좀)보다는 리소좀이나 오토파고좀 같은 자가포식(Autophagy) 작용에 의해 주로 분해된다는 사실을 확인했다고 밝혔다. 전 세계적으로 또 다른 치매 원인물질로 알려진 베타 아밀로이드(Aβ)가 뇌에 축적되는 것을 막거나 분해하는 방식으로 치매를 예방하거나 진행을 막는 연구가 수십 년간 진행돼 왔으나 뚜렷한 성과를 거두지 못하고 있다.
- 김채빈
- 4년 전
- 33
2
과학기술연합대학원대학교(UST)는 12일 정부출연연구기관에서 탁월한 연구성과를 내는 연구자 104명을 25개 캠퍼스의 신임 교원으로 임용했다고 밝혔다. 한국과학기술연구원(KIST) 스쿨 바이오·메디컬융합 전공 류훈 교수는 뇌과학·신경과학 분야 권위자로, 미국 보스턴대 의대 교수를 거쳐 2019년부터 KIST 뇌과학연구소 연구단장을 맡고 있다. 생물학연구정보센터(BRIC)가 주관하는 한국을 빛낸 사람들(한빛사) 명단에 16회 등재되는 등 성과를 인정받고 있다. https://m.mk.co.kr/news/it/view/2022/01/34284/
- 김채빈
- 4년 전
- 38
![[연합뉴스]-"치매-유발-핵심과정-찾았다…뇌-내-중증-반응성-별세포가-범인"](http://storage.googleapis.com/cr-resource/forum/f200de734fe066a6e4dc3c9c578169c8/700/761f37d6853112fde43d6360166485d5.jpg)
1
IBS·KIST 연구팀 "중증 반응성 별세포가 만드는 과산화수소가 신경세포 사멸·치매 유발 확인" (서울=연합뉴스) 이주영 기자 = 국내 연구진이 뇌 비신경세포의 하나인 별세포(astrocyte)가 독소 등에 의해 중증 반응성 별세포로 변하고 이 별세포에서 생성되는 활성산소인 과산화수소(H₂O₂)가 신경세포 사멸과 치매를 유도한다는 사실을 밝혀냈다. 특히 이 연구는 그동안 연구에서 독성물질인 아밀로이드베타(Aβ)를 제거한 후에도 치매가 계속 진행되는 등 풀리지 않던 수수께끼에 답을 제공할 뿐 아니라 과생성된 과산화수소를 제거해 치매 진행을 중단시킬 수 있는 가능성까지 제시해 주목된다. 기초과학연구원(IBS) 인지 및 사회성 연구단 이창준 단장·전희정 선임연구원 연구팀과 한국과학기술연구원(KIST) 뇌과학연구소 류훈 단장 연구팀은 17일 국제학술지 '네이처 신경과학'(Nature Neuroscience)에서 치매 초기에 나타나는 반응성 별세포에 의한 신경세포 사멸과 치매 병증 유도 기전을 처음으로 규명했다고 밝혔다. IBS·KIST 연구팀, 중증 반응성 별세포에 의한 신경세포 사멸 과정 규명 이창준 기초과학연구원(IBS) 인지 및 사회성 연구단장이 10일 오전 세종시 과기정통부 기자실에서 '치매 원인인 중증 반응성 별세포에 의한 신경세포 사멸기작 규명' 성과를 설명하고 있다. [과학기술정보통신부 제공. 재판매 및 DB 금지] 치매는 오랜 기간 서서히 진행되며 치매 후기 단계에 신경세포 사멸이 유도되면 치매 진행을 막을 수 없다. 따라서 신경세포 사멸 전 단계의 원인과 과정을 이해하는 것이 치매 예방과 치료에 중요하다. 특히 최근 치매 치료제 연구는 주로 독성물질인 아밀로이드베타를 원인 물질로 보고
- 김채빈
- 5년 전
- 50
Lab Members
Alumni
Lab Events
Recruitment
BINGRE lab is seeking for strong PhD students and PostDocs
1. We have a position opening for a new PhD student in neuroscience major at KIST school of UST. We are expecting the candidate to have strong background in biology and neuroscience. Self-motivated students with excellent work ethics are encouraged to apply. To apply for this position, please send your resume (including degree, skills, and test scores) to hoonryu[at]kist.re.kr. Please make sure to put [Application] in the email subject, and to write a few lines about what you are interested in and what you hope to gain throughout the graduate study.
1. We have a position opening for a new PhD student in neuroscience major at KIST school of UST. We are expecting the candidate to have strong background in biology and neuroscience. Self-motivated students with excellent work ethics are encouraged to apply. To apply for this position, please send your resume (including degree, skills, and test scores) to hoonryu[at]kist.re.kr. Please make sure to put [Application] in the email subject, and to write a few lines about what you are interested in and what you hope to gain throughout the graduate study.
2. We have a position opening for an Electrophysiologist. We are expecting the candidate to have a strong background in patch-clamp recording. Self-motivated people with excellent work ethics are encouraged to apply. To apply for this position, please send your resume (including degree, skills, and test scores) to hoonryu[at]kist.re.kr. Please make sure to put [Application] in the email subject, and to write a few lines about what you are interested in and what is your career goal.
Contact us
PI: Hoon Ryu, Ph.D
Phone: 02-958-6855
Email: hoonryu@kist.re.kr
Address:
(02792) 서울특별시 성북구 화랑로 14길 5 한국과학기술연구원 L7311
L7311, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu Seoul, 02792
Republic of Korea