Summary
My research interests focus on elucidating the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) that control diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease, gastrointestinal motility disorders, and COVID-19. We have identified anti-diabetic miRNAs, which exert prolonged effects on diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease, and gastrointestinal motility disorders in animal models. Our findings indicate that miRNAs can prevent the onset of diabetes in young and healthy individuals. However, factors such as aging, the Western diet, and lack of exercise reduce the expression of the anti-diabetic miRNAs, triggering diabetes development. Remarkably, restoring the miRNAs reverses diabetes by recovering the function of pancreatic β cells, adipocytes, and skeletal muscle cells, enhancing insulin production and sensitivity in animal models. Additionally, these miRNAs significantly reverse obesity, fatty liver disease (steatosis and fibrosis), and gastrointestinal motility disorders (gastroparesis and constipation). Anti-diabetic miRNAs are currently being developed in preclinical studies for the treatment of diabetes and gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Education
- B.S., Molecular Biology, Wonkwang University, Korea
- M.S., Molecular Biology, Wonkwang University, Korea
- M.S., Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento
- Ph.D., Cell & Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno