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Project: Bioinformatics analysis of the gut-microbiome during aging and following late-life interventions with respect to cognitive functions
Nationality: South Korean
Supervisor / Co-Supervisor: Dr. Anders Gorm Pedersen & Dr. Henrik Bjørn Nielsen / Prof. Dr. Christoph Kaleta
Host Organisation: Technical University of Denmark (DTU) / Clinical Microbiomice (CM), Denmark
Education
2012 ~ 2018 B.S in Genetic engineering
KyungHee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
2019 ~ 2021 M.S in Epidemiology
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
What is your project/research about? What would you like to find out?
My project is to investigate mechanistic links which connect the aging gut microbiome to cognitive decline utilizing bioinformatic analysis based on machine learning. In order to interpret the intertwined multifactorial characteristics of the links, diverse types of longitudinal data (e.g functions, richness and persistence of microbiome in ultra-high-resolution level, host metabolomics, and multi-tissue and inflammatory measures) will be integrated and utilized. Through this project, I will identify (1) mechanistic links between age related cognitive decline and the microbiome (2) Infrastructure and methods for analyzing age related microbiome phenomena (3) Analysis of late-life interventions and their effect on the outcome, the microbiome, and possible effect modulations associated with the microbiome.
Why did you apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN and especially this project?
Genome analysis training program I accidentally took in undergraduate made me start to study microbiome day and night and read numerous papers of it while I was preparing first paper. According to them, unlike the past mostly focusing on pattern changes of microbiome cluster, researchers from different fields collaborate with each other to produce more significant and higher outcomes in current times. There would be no scientist who will not be excited when they see this Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN, SmartAge which is trying to create a new paradigm in aging by drawing one huge, ultimate outcome with conclusions of various researches. In addition, beyond healthcare, the potential applicability of microbiome in clinic and pharmaceutical field can serve as another important axis for preparing for an upcoming aging era. As time goes by, the pace of medical and healthcare technology development is accelerating. More and more data will be poured out, but if there is no reorganizing or mining technique, they are just chunks of noise. Through this project, I will be trained with machine learning based bioinformatic analysis, and this can be used to contribute to researches improving life quality in the future.
What is so fascinating for you on research in general?
When I was young, movies and series exploring the unknown world instilled infinite excitement and wonders rather than fear of not knowing. Likewise, to explore and seek out new part in my field gives me a pleasure as much as finding a new civilization in the universe. Beyond unveiling the unknown, an agony and effort to make more people benefit from the research by commercializing them are another driving force for me.
What do you do in your free time? Do you have special interests/hobbies?
I enjoy watching series and working out on daily free time. Recently, I have become interested in whiskey, so I have been studying and tasting whenever I get a chance (no more than 3 shots..). In winter, I enjoy going for skiing. I'm always open to have suggestions any places for it as I've only experiences in Korea and Switzerland :)
What are your plans for your future? Where/what you will be in 5 years?
After the phD, I want to apply what I learn for microbiome medication research and contribute to incurable or chronic disease research. For example, Atopic Dermatitis (AD), one of the most common chronic skin inflammatory disorder doesn't have a perfect, and fundamental cure since they have plenty of causals and variables. However, it was demonstrated that Staphylococcus aureus is identified to be pathogenic in most of AD patients and Staphylococcus epidermidis secrete a molecule inhibiting S.aureus domination. As this research suggests another perspective of AD treatment, I wish to be participated in a research group of industry developing new therapeutics with microbiome.