معرفی
Hyungbae Kwon is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, affiliated with the Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He serves as the Director of Admissions for the Neuroscience Training Program and leads an active research laboratory (Kwon Lab) focused on neural circuit mechanisms underlying learning and cognition. His work integrates molecular, optical, and behavioral approaches to dissect synaptic and circuit-level functions in the mammalian brain.
Dr. Kwon's research interests span developmental and cellular neuroscience, neural circuits, and neurotechnology development. Key areas include:
- Cellular mechanisms of synaptogenesis in the developing and mature cortex
- Development of novel tools to label and control behaviorally relevant neural circuits
- Dissecting flexible cognitive behaviors at cellular resolution
- Designing genetically encoded sensors for neurotransmitters and signaling molecules
His recent publications reveal a strong trend in creating and applying cutting-edge optical and genetic tools to map and manipulate neural activity in vivo. These studies frequently appear in top-tier journals such as Nature, Science, and Nature Neuroscience, reflecting significant contributions to understanding synaptic plasticity, circuit dynamics, and behavioral control. The work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration across neuroscience, engineering, and molecular biology.
Dr. Kwon has been instrumental in developing innovative technologies such as Cal-Light for activity-dependent gene expression, LAUNCHER for light-assisted proteolytic release, and biosensors for oxytocin and kinase activity. These tools enable precise interrogation of neural circuits and have broad applications across neuroscience research. He actively mentors graduate students through the Neuroscience Training Program and collaborates widely across institutions.
His lab is based in the Miller Research Building at Johns Hopkins, where it maintains a strong focus on both fundamental neurobiological questions and technological innovation. The Kwon Lab continues to push the boundaries of how we observe, record, and manipulate neural activity with high spatiotemporal precision.
حوزههای پژوهشی
