research

RESEARCH FOCUS

Viral Pathogenesis: Unraveling the mechanisms of how viruses cause disease
Next-Generation Vaccines: Innovative design and development of vaccine candidates
Immune Mechanisms: In-depth evaluation of vaccine efficacy and underlying immunological responses
Next-Generation Adjuvants: Designing innovative platforms to maximize vaccine-induced immune responses
Potent Antivirals: Discovering and developing novel therapeutic agents to treat viral infections.

Viral Pathogenesis

We investigate the underlying mechanisms of how influenza viruses bypass the blood-brain barrier to infiltrate the central nervous system
Our research focuses on how viral infections exacerbate neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, by triggering neuroinflammation and protein aggregation
By utilizing various in vitro and in vivo models, we aim to unravel the molecular pathways of virus-induced neuropathogenesis to develop targeted intervention strategies

Next-Generation Vaccines

We focus on developing novel vaccine candidates for viruses that currently lack effective preventive measures or have suboptimal vaccine efficacy
Our research explores innovative vaccine platforms, including nanoparticles and Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), to enhance antigen stability and immunogenicity
We aim to design versatile and highly effective vaccine strategies by integrating cutting-edge bio-nanotechnology to combat emerging and persistent viral threats

Immune Mechanisms

We conduct in-depth evaluations of vaccine efficacy by analyzing both systemic and mucosal immune responses in various animal models
Our research focuses on identifying the immunological factors responsible for reduced vaccine effectiveness in hosts with underlying conditions, such as asthma, obesity, and liver diseases
By elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of impaired immunity, we aim to provide a scientific basis for optimizing vaccine strategies for vulnerable populations

Next-Generation Adjuvants & Potent Antivirals

We focus on discovering novel functional adjuvants and antiviral agents derived from natural products to enhance host immunity and inhibit viral replication
By utilizing in vitro and in vivo systems, we evaluate the efficacy of these candidates and apply advanced platforms, such as nanoparticles, to maximize their delivery and performance
Our research explores diverse innovative strategies to bridge the gap between natural discovery and cutting-edge pharmaceutical application against viral threats

PUBLICATIONS (Since 2021)

Adjuvant combination enhances immune response of equine influenza virus vaccine in horses. Lee DH, Lee EB, Seo JP, Ko EJ. Equine Vet J. 2026 Mar;58(2):591-600. doi: 10.1111/evj.70090.
Dual impact of squalene-adjuvanted influenza vaccine on immunity and glucose homeostasis in obese mice. Ahn SY, Jo SM, Ho TL, Kang I, Ko EJ. Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 22;16(1):6011. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-35917-4.
Cladophora wrightiana Var. Minor Extract Acts as an Adjuvant to Promote Natural Killer Cell Activation by Nasal Influenza Vaccine. Ho TL, Ahn SY, Ko EJ. Food Sci Nutr. 2025 Aug 19;13(8):e70807. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.70807.
Lactobacillus johnsonii JERA01 activates macrophages and increases Th-1 T cell population in mouse small intestine. Ahn SY, Joo HG, Ko EJ. PLoS One. 2025 Apr 24;20(4):e0320946. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320946.
Evaluation of the influenza vaccine protection in the house dust mite-induced chronic allergic asthma mice model and the evaluation of squalene oil in water emulsion as an adjuvant candidate. Ahn SY, Ho TL, Ko EJ. Respir Res. 2025 Apr 10;26(1):132. doi: 10.1186/s12931-025-03209-6.
Adjuvant potential of Peyssonnelia caulifera extract on the efficacy of an influenza vaccine in a murine model. Ho TL, Ahn SY, Ko EJ. Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 25;14(1):25353. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-76736-9.
Monophosphoryl lipid A and poly I:C combination enhances immune responses of equine influenza virus vaccine. Lee DH, Lee J, Ahn SY, Ho TL, Kim K, Ko EJ. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2024 May;271:110743. doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2024.110743.
Immunostimulatory effects of marine algae extracts on in vitro antigen‐presenting cell activation and in vivo immune cell recruitment. Ho TL, Lee J, Ahn SY, Lee DH, Song WJ, Kang I, Ko EJ. Food Science & Nutrition. 2023 Aug 21;11(10):6560-6570. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.3605.
Adjuvant effects of combination monophosphoryl lipid A and poly I:C on antigen-specific immune responses and protective efficacy of influenza vaccines. Le CTT, Ahn SY, Ho TL, Lee J, Lee DH, Hwang HS, Kang SM, Ko EJ. Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 28;13(1):12231. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-39210-6.
Chronic allergic asthma induces T-cell exhaustion and impairs virus clearance in mice. Ahn SY, Lee J, Lee DH, Ho TL, Le CTT, Ko EJ. Respir Res. 2023 Jun 17;24(1):160. doi: 10.1186/s12931-023-02448-9.
In vitro effects of monophosphoryl lipid A and Poly I:C combination on equine cells. Lee DH, Lee EB, Seo JP, Ko EJ. J Vet Sci. 2023 May;24(3):e37. doi: 10.4142/jvs.23007.
Protective and vaccine dose-sparing efficacy of Poly I: C-functionalized calcium phosphate nanoparticle adjuvants in inactivated influenza vaccination. Lee J, Ahn SY, Le CTT, Lee DH, Jung J, Ko EJ. Int Immunopharmacol. 2022 Sep 14;112:109240. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109240.
Evaluation of concurrent vaccinations with recombinant canarypox equine influenza virus and inactivated equine herpesvirus vaccines. Lee DH, Lee EB, Seo JP, Ko EJ. J Anim Sci Technol. 2022 May;64(3):588-598. doi: 10.5187/jast.2022.e30.
Functional NK Cell Activation by Ovalbumin Immunization with a Monophosphoryl Lipid A and Poly I:C Combination Adjuvant Promoted Dendritic Cell Maturation. Le CTT, Ahn SY, Kang SM, Ko EJ. Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Sep 23;9(10):1061. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9101061.
Monophosphoryl Lipid A and Poly I:C Combination Adjuvant Promoted Ovalbumin-Specific Cell Mediated Immunity in Mice Model. Ahn SY, Le CTT, Ko EJ. Biology (Basel). 2021 Sep 13;10(9):908. doi: 10.3390/biology10090908.

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