cmoon

CHEMICAL SENSES

Research Interests
Our laboratory is investigating the brain’s chemical senses. These senses have been in the scientific spotlight since Drs. Axel and Buck were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2004 for their groundbreaking work identifying odorant receptors and olfactory processes.
Using molecular, cellular, morphological, and behavioral techniques, we study the mechanisms of olfaction. Additionally, we are engaging in multidisciplinary, translational research with the goal of applying our findings to biomedical and bioengineering fields.

1. Structure and Functions of the Olfactory System
Our laboratory has delved into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the olfactory signal transduction pathways. The initial step in these pathways involves the interaction of odorous molecules with odorant receptors (ORs) in the olfactory cilia of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). By investigating this detection process, we aim to gain deeper insights into the intricacies of olfaction.

Therefore, in our lab
We study OR structure to understand the role of specific motifs in OR function.
We investigate the olfactory signaling pathway.

2. Development of the Olfactory system
Our laboratory has sought to understand how neural stem cells can develop, mature, and integrate into the pre-existing neuronal circuitry. The olfactory system is a particularly valuable model for studying this process, as neuronal regeneration occurs throughout life in this region.

Therefore, in our lab
We study the developmental mechanisms of the olfactory system using rodent models.
We investigate the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of development and regeneration in the olfactory system.

3. Neurodegenerative Diseases in the Olfactory System
Our laboratory has explored why olfactory dysfunction often appears in the early symptomatic stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. The lack of understanding regarding the mechanisms behind this phenomenon suggests that sensory systems may be more vulnerable to AD pathology than the central nervous system as a whole.

Therefore, in our lab
We study differences in structure and behaviour in the olfactory system using AD model mice.
We aim to establish presymptomatic diagnosis of AD using human subject studies.

4. Cognition in the Olfactory System
In many species, the olfactory system plays a crucial role in survival, including reproduction, avoiding predators, and foraging for food. However, compared to other sensory modalities, the olfactory system has received less attention as a research topic, and its cognitive processes have not been extensively studied. In addition to structural and developmental studies, investigating the cognitive processes of the olfactory system can offer valuable insights.
Our laboratory has explored the cognitive processes of odors, such as odor categorization in the brain, which cannot be fully explained by peripheral olfactory mechanisms. To conduct this research, we have employed brain imaging techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Therefore, in our lab,
We study early olfactory processing in the human brain.
We investigate human odor categorization based on behaviour and brain imaging studies.
We explore human high cognition related to olfaction.

Members

- Professor

Prof. Cheil Moon

Dr. Moon earned his PhD in Neurobiology at Imperial College London in 1994. Shortly after, he joined the Department of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where his research focus has remained firmly in the field of olfaction ever since. Notably, in 2009, he became the founding faculty member in the Department of Brain Sciences at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in Daegu, South Korea.

Dr. Moon's expertise extends beyond olfactory signalling pathways. He has pioneered a brand new research area: olfactory system-related neurodegenerative disorders. His work has yielded significant discoveries in the mechanisms of olfactory signalling, and he has published his findings in prestigious journals such as the Annual Reviews of Physiology, Neuron, PNAS, and the Journal of Neuroscience.

Dr. Moon's research interests have recently expanded to investigate olfactory dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease, with a focus on translating these findings into a practical "bench to bedside" approach.

Currently, Dr. Moon serves as the Director of the Convergence Research Advanced Centre for Olfaction at DGIST.

Phone: +82 53 785 6110
Email: cmoon@dgist.ac.kr
Office: E4-414

- Research Professor

김소연(SoYeon Kim)

Research Professor

DGIST, Convergence Research Advanced Centre for Olfaction

권오훈(Oh-Hoon Kwon)

Research Professor

DGIST, Convergence Research Advanced Centre for Olfaction

- Post-doc

박인아(Inah Park)

Post-Doctoral Fellow

DGIST, Convergence Research Advanced Centre for Olfaction

배지섭(Jisub Bae)

Post-Doctoral Fellow

DGIST, Convergence Research Advanced Centre for Olfaction

- Student

정다혜(Da-Hae Jeong)

M.Sc./Ph.D. Candidate

박은지

M.Sc./Ph.D. Candidate

주현창

B.Sc./ M.Sc./Ph.D. Candidate

이유연

M.Sc Candidate

안유진

M.Sc Candidate

- Alumni

유승준(SeungJun Yoo)

MS / PhD

Assistant Professor,
Department of Life Science, Hanyang University
(Sensory Neuroscience Lab)

류상은(SangEun Ryu)

MS / PhD

Research Associate, Sensory & Motor System Research Group
Korea Brain Research Institute

임승영(SeungYeong Im)

MS / PhD

Research Scientist,
Dept. of Biological Sciences
KAIST

배지섭(JiSub Bae)

MS / PhD

Post-doc,
DGIST, Convergence Research Advanced Centre for Olfaction

문선애(Sunae Moon)

MS / PhD

LG H&A 선임
LG Electronics

손고운(Gowoon Son)

MS / PhD

Post-doc
Mayo Clinic (Florida),
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
(Dr. Lea T. Grinberg Lab)

김광수(Kwangsu Kim)

MS / PhD

Post-doc
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Technische Universität Dresden,
Dresden, Germany
(Thomas Hummel Lab)

심다미(Tammy Shim)

MS / PhD

Post-Doc
Department of Biology, Lund University
Lund, Sweden
(Martin N Andersson Lab)

최지윤(Jiyun Choe)

MS / PhD

DGIST 뇌공학융합연구센터

김삼환(Samhwan Kim)

PhD

디바이스 개발팀 팀장
(주)GBRAIN

김재연(JaeYeon Kim)

PhD

Post-doc
Univ of California(San Francisco),
San Francisco, USA
(Dr. Mercedes Parades Lab)

이덕호(Deok ho Lee)

MSc

Researcher (PhD),
Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center

이지원(Jeewon Lee)

MSc

김도경(Do-Kyeong Kim)

MSc

국경희(Kyung-Hee Kook)

MSc

Researcher
Ajou University, School of Medicine

김원철(Won-Cheol Kim)

MSc

Researcher,
Seoul National University

이주연(Juyeon Yi)

MSc

Wild Mobile Co.

김성환(Seonghwan Kim)

MSc

DGIST Department of New Biology,
Dr. Kwak Lab

Rasheed Ameer

MSc

University of Strasbourg (France),

이선주(Sun Joo Lee)

MSc

최기원(Giwon Choi)

MSc

유심코 (대표)

윤성원(Seongwon Yoon)

MSc

함창수(Chagnsu Ham)

MSc

Private Clinic (Germany)

이지혜(Ji Hye Lee)

Post-doc

Research Fellow
Univ of California(San Francisco),
San Francisco, USA
(Dr. Seeley Lab)

박윤희(Youn Hee Park)

Post-doc

김소연(SoYeon Kim)

Post-doc

DGIST, Convergence Research Advanced Centre for Olfaction

조봉기(Bongki Cho)

Post-doc

Samyang Corporation Food R&D Center

권오훈(Oh-Hoon Kwon)

Post-doc

DGIST, Convergence Research Advanced Centre for Olfaction

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CHEMICAL SENSES

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