Research
Food poisoning caused by various foodborne pathogens threatens our health, and thus represents a huge socio-economic burden. Although antibiotics targeting essential bacterial functions have successfully controlled these "bad guys", the recent emergence of drug-resistant pathogens, also known as superbugs, is forcing humans to prepare alternative antimicrobial agents.
In this context, our laboratory is investigating the possibility of bacteriophages and endolysins as novel antimicrobial agents. Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are bacterial viruses that only infect bacteria. After specific recognition of host receptors, phages inject their nucleic acids into bacterial host cells. Propagation of phage particles within bacterial cells is terminated by a "burst" of phage-infected bacteria by phage-derived lytic enzymes, endolysins. Using various food-related pathogens such as Salmonella spp., pathogenic Escherichia coli, Cronobacter sakazakii, Stapylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Acinetobacter baumannii as model bacteria, we are attempting to isolate, characterize, and genetically engineer the novel bacteriophages. The mechanisms of how these phages interact with host bacteria are also being studied at the molecular level to efficiently control and detect the harmful foodborne pathogens from our daily food and food processing environment.
Understanding the basic mechanisms underlying bacterial virulence and pathogenicity through in vitro and in vivo experiments is another our goal for pathogen control. Based on the better understanding of the mechanisms, we expect to find new targets for novel antimicrobial agents and thus be able to control the virulence of harmful foodborne pathogens in an unusual but efficient way.
We are trying to address the following goals:
Isolation and characterization of novel bacteriophages from local environmental / biological samples.
Whole & comparative genomic analysis of isolated phages with next generation sequencing and bioinformatic tools.
Preventive and therapeutic application of phages & endolysins that will be able to replacing the conventional antibiotics in the fields of food safety & infectious diseases.
Construction of engineered phages & endolysins having novel functions (e.g., reporting/detecting pathogens).
Exploring new therapeutic targets in foodborne pathogens by determining factors & mechanisms that regulate the pathogen's virulence and pathogenicity.
Improvement/modification of microbial flora (microbiota) in food, food production/processing environment, and human beings using useful microbial resources (e.g., bacteriophages, endolysins, antagonistic microorganisms, etc.).
Research Projects
Development of novel antimicrobials and safety evaluation technology to replace antibiotics for cultured meats
Apr. 2024 ~
supported by 2024 R&D Project funded by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
Development of technology for the agri-environmental waste reduction using novel enzyme-loaded nanodiscs and nano/
microcapsulesJan. 2021 ~
supported by Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development funded by the Rural Development Administration
Research on adaptive evolution and genetic modification of bacteriophage to cope with foodborne antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Mar. 2019 ~ Feb. 2024
supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT
ATC for Bio Drug Controlling Antibiotics-Resistant Pathogenic Superbacteria
Jan. 2018 ~ Dec. 2019
supported by Advanced Technology Center funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Development of biological agents based on bacteriophages for effective control and detection of food-related pathogens
May. 2017 ~ Oct. 2020
supported by the Yonsei University Future-leading Research Initiative
Development of an engineered bacteriophage for the control of foodborne pathogenic Salmonella spp.
Jun. 2016 ~ May. 2019
supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT