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