Microbial Adaptation

Microbial Adaptation

Our research investigates how microorganisms adapt to metabolic, environmental, and genetic perturbations. We combine adaptive evolution and single-cell visualization to understand microbial plasticity and to design strains with enhanced tolerance, productivity, and resource flexibility. In addition, we have identified and characterized novel glucose transporters that play key roles in adaptive metabolic reprogramming.

- Selected Publications -

• Kim HJ, Jeong H, Lee SJ. Short-Term Adaptation Modulates Anaerobic Metabolic Flux to Succinate by Activating ExuT, a Novel D-Glucose Transporter in Escherichia coli. Frontiers in Microbiology (2020). PubMed PMID: 32038601

• Kim HJ, Jeong H, Lee SJ. Visualization and Quantification of Genetically Adapted Microbial Cells During Preculture. Frontiers in Microbiology (2021). PubMed PMID: 34335520

• Jeong SO, Kim HJ, Lee SJ. Adaptive Evolution of GatC, a Component of the Galactitol Phosphotransferase System, for Glucose Transport in Escherichia coli. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology (2025). PubMed PMID: 40295218