We study the pathology of brain disorders
and the mechanisms of acupuncture based on the gliocentric view.
We study the pathological roles of reactive astrocytes in various brain disorders.
Learn MoreWe study the physiological role of astrocytes in regulating brain function.
We study the molecular, cellular and circuitry neurobiology of acupuncture and herbal medicine based on the gliocentric view.
Learn More[Pre-prints]
[2024]
[2023]
[2022]
[2021]
[2020]
[2019]
[2018]
[2017]
[-2017]
Principal Investigator
Min-Ho Nam is a neuroscientist who studies pathological mechanism of neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease from the astrocyte-centered perspective. As a physician (Korean Medical Doctor)-scientist, he also studies the neurobiological mechanism of acupuncture treatment on Parkinson's disease. He completed his PhD under supervision of Dr. C. Justin Lee at KIST and earned his PhD from Kyung Hee University, Korea (joint with KIST) in 2017. Since 2020, he joined KIST as a senior researcher as well as the lab head of Nam lab.
PhD Candidate
He received his master degree from Dongguk University and studied plant genetics. He worked as a research intern in a neuroscience lab at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Currently, he is studying neuroscience in Nam lab at KIST as a PhD student.
PhD candidate
He received his Master of science degree from Ajou University, He has been investigating the role of a sugar transporter which is present in the brain through molecular biological approaches. In NAM lab, he is investigating the glia-neuronal metabolic interaction, particularly through glucose and fructose metabolism using various approaches including molecular biology, electrophysiology, imaging, etc.
PhD student
She received B.S. degree of applied chemistry from Dongduk women’s University. She has previously worked as a research intern for 2 semesters in Nam lab. Now she is working as a graduate student researcher, and simultaneously, she is in the Master’s course in Biotechnology major at Yonsei University. She is studying the molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s disease through reactive astrocytes.
Intern Researcher
In-Yeop obtained a master's degree from Kyung Hee University. He developed a fluorescent biosensor capable of measuring the activity of GPCR. Additionally, as an intern researcher at KIST, he participated in the development of a screening platform for GPCR-targeted drugs using FRET technology. Currently, in the Nam lab, he's working on developing chemogenetic tools which can induce GPCR signaling.
Undergraduate Intern
Heesu majors in biomedical science and engineering at Konkuk University. After completing internships at a vaccine development company and a biomedical research company, she discovered her passion for research and decided to pursue it further. With a keen interest in neuroscience, specifically neurodegenerative diseases and neuroinflammation, she joined Nam Lab as a research intern in March 2023. Her ultimate goal is to make significant contributions to the development of treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. As such, she is eager to participate in studies that clarify the pathogenesis of these conditions.
Visiting Graduate Student (Integrated MS-PhD course)
After earning his B.S. degree in molecular biology from Dankook University, he is pursuing a PhD in neuroscience at Korea University while also conducting research at KIST's virus facility under the guidance of Dr. Seung Eun Lee. Currently, he is involved in collaborative research projects with Nam Lab, focusing on the development of viral promoters in the brain.
Undergraduate Intern
She is currently studying Genetic Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University. To get closer to her long-cherished dream of immortality, she previously worked in the Crop Systems Genetics Lab at KHU and the Aging and Stress Disease Lab of Sungkyunkwan University as an undergraduate intern, and at the aging and stress disease lab of Sungkyunkwan University. While studying at previous labs, she became interested in researching aging-related diseases that hinder quality of life. Currently, she is working as an intern at Nam lab, where she is learning basic neuroscience knowledge and will continue to try to find ways to win death.
The NAM Lab employs a multi-disciplinary approach including optogenetic (chemogenetic), ex vivo electrophysiological, pharmacological and imaging techniques to find mechanistic explanations for how reactive astrocytes contribute to brain pathophysiology and/or how acupuncture works through neuro- and glio-modulation.
The NAM Lab always welcomes highly self-motivated students to discover their talents! Please e-mail me (dr.namminho@kist.re.kr) your academic transcripts and CV, and we can make a time to meet.
The NAM Lab always welcomes highly self-motivated Ph.D.s to build up interesting stories of glia and neuroinflammation! Please e-mail me (dr.namminho@kist.re.kr) with your CV (and a cover letter which includes what you have done in the past and what you want to get from the NAM lab).