Research Field

💎 PMGL investigates host genetic factors associated with disease susceptibility and resistance.  

      💚 Using GWAS, SNP analyses, and NGS, we investigate genetic determinants linked to neurodegenerative diseases and infectious           diseases. 

      💚 We aim to identify novel risk loci and molecular pathways that can inform strategies for early diagnosis, personalized therapy,              and disease prevention.

1️⃣ Prion (CJD, BSE, CWD, Scrapie) 

대표1. Roh IS, Kim YC, Won SY, Jeong MJ, Park KJ, Park HC, Lee YR, Kang HE, Sohn HJ, Jeong BH*. First report of a strong association between genetic            polymorphisms of the prion protein gene (PRNP) and susceptibility to chronic wasting disease (CWD) in sika deer (Cervus nippon). Transbound Emerg            Dis. 2022, 69: e2073-e2083 [IF:5.005, JCR Top 2.7%].

대표2. Troung CG, Choi DI, Na EJ, Oem JK, Jeong BH*. The first report of genetic characteristics and polymorphisms in the shadow of prion protein gene                      (SPRN) in bats. Pak Vet J 2026, 46: 1763-1771 [IF: 6.5, JCR Top 2.9%].

2️⃣ Cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia, and Aging 

대표1. Kim DJ, Kim YC, Jeong BH*. Association of SPHK1 polymorphisms with Alzheimer’s disease susceptibility: Functional impact of the rs2247856 SNP on             transcriptional efficiency. Alzheimer's Demet  2026, 12: e70288 [IF: 7.4, JCR Top 7.0%].  

대표2. Kim YC, Jeong BH*. Identification of prion disease-related somatic mutations in the prion protein gene (PRNP) in cancer patients. Cells 2020, 9: 1480                [IF: 7.666].  

3️⃣ RNA (Influenza A virus, COVID-19, HIV) and DNA (JCV, BKV, MCV) viruses

대표1. Kim YC, Jeong MJ, Jeong BH*. Strong association of regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IFITM3 gene with influenza H1N1 2009            pandemic virus infection. Cell Mol Immunol. 2020, 17: 662-664. [IF: 22.096, JCR Top 3.7%]. 

4️⃣ Tick-borne diseases (Scrub Typhus, SFTSV)

대표1. Kim YC, Kim S, Kim HK, Lee Y, Shin C, Lee CS, Jeong BH*. Genome-wide association study identifies eight novel loci for susceptibility of scrub typhus            and highlights immune-related signaling pathways in its pathogenesis. Cells 2021, 10: 570 [IF: 7.666]. 

대표2. Choi DI, Zayed M, Jeong CG, Oem JK, Jeong BH*. First report of IFITM3 polymorphism associated with severe fever with thrombocytopenia                          syndrome virus (SFTSV) infection in the raccoon dog. Pak Vet J 2026,46: 866-875  [IF: 5.4, JCR Top 2.3%]. 

💎 PMGL conducts research on prion disease diagnosis and epidemiology.  

     💚 We investigate PrPC-to-PrPSc conversion, and its association with genetic variation and disease susceptibility. 

     💚 Using PMCA, RT-QuIC, and biomarker discovery, we aim to improve early diagnosis, surveillance, and risk assessment of                  human and animal prion diseases. 

대표1. Jeong BH et al. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with the V203I mutation and M129V polymorphism of the prion protein gene (PRNP) and a 17 kDa prion                      protein fragment. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol. 2010, 36: 558-63 [IF: 8.08, JCR Top 3.84%]. 

대표2. Kim YC, Jeong BH*. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) Incidence, South Korea, 2001-2019. Emerg Inf Dis. 2022, 28: 1863-1866 [IF: 16.126, JCR            Top  8.0%]. 

💎 PMGL develops prion disease biomarkers using multi-omics approaches.  

     💚 We integrate genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and lipidomics to compare prion-infected models with healthy controls.  

     💚 Using comprehensive sequencing and high-throughput technologies, we identify biomarkers for early diagnosis, disease                      monitoring, and therapeutic evaluation. 

대표1. Kim YC, Won SY, Jeong MJ, Jeong BH*. Absence of proteinase K-resistant PrP in Korean Holstein cattle carrying potential bovine spongiform            encephalopathy-related E211K somatic mutation. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2022, 69: 805-812 [IF: 5.005, JCR Top 2.7%]. 

대표2. Zayed M, Kim YC, Jeong BH*. Biological characteristics and transcriptomic profile of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells isolated from prion-                      infected murine model. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2025, 16: 154  [IF: 7.1, JCR Top 9.6%]. 

💎 PMGL investigates prion disease mechanisms using diverse in vivo and in vitro models. 

     💚 Using transgenic and knockout mice and prion-resistant species, we study how PRNP-related genetic variations affect prion                propagation and disease susceptibility.  

     💚Through biochemical, histopathological, survival, PMCA, and RT-QuIC analyses, we identify pathogenic pathways and potential            therapeutic targets. 

대표1. Sim HJ, Kim YC, Bhattarai G, Won SY, JC Lee, Jeong BH*, Kook SH. Prion infection modulates hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell fate through cell-                    autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms. Leukemia 2023, 37: 877-887 [IF: 12.883,  JCR Top 8.9%].

대표2. Kim YC, Lee J, Lee DW, Jeong BH*. Large-scale lipidomic profiling identifies novel potential biomarkers for prion disease and highlights lipid raft-related            pathways. Vet Res. 2021, 52: 105 [IF: 3.683, JCR Top 4.7%]. 

대표3. Kim YC, Won SY, Jeong BH*. Identification of an altered gut microbiome and the protective effect of microbiome changer in prion diseases. Vet Res.                  2026, 57: 31 [IF: 3.5, JCR Top 5.8%]. 

대표4. Zayed M, Tayara H, Jeong BH*. Ferroptosis-related mechanisms in prion diseases provide insights into neurodegeneration and reveal therapeutic                       implications. Redox Biol. 2026, 93: 104155  [IF: 16.2, JCR Top 3.3%].

💎 PMGL develops therapeutic candidates for prion diseases. 

     💚 Using prion-infected animal models, we evaluate small molecules, bioactive compounds, proteolytic enzymes, and                            mesenchymal stem cell–based therapies.  

     💚 Through survival, histopathological, and biochemical analyses, we seek treatments that delay disease progression and support           clinical translation. 

대표1. Kim YC, Won SY, Jeong BH*. Altered expression of glymphatic system-related proteins in prion diseases: Implications for the role of the glymphatic                    system in prion diseases. Cell Mol Immunol. 2021, 18: 2281-2283 [IF: 22.096, JCR Top 3.7%]. 

대표2. Zayed M, Kim YC, Jeong BH*. Therapeutic effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells combined with glymphatic system activation in prion                    disease. Mol Neurodegener. 2025, 20: 42 [IF: 15.1, JCR Top 2.2%].