معرفی
Dr Jungnam Cho is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biosciences at Durham University, UK. Prior to this role, he served as a Group Leader at the CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Sciences (2018–2023), jointly affiliated with the John Innes Centre and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His academic background includes a BSc (2007) and PhD (2013) from Seoul National University, followed by post-doctoral research at the University of Cambridge (2013–2018).
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, Seoul National University (2007)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Molecular Biology, Seoul National University (2013)
- Post-doctoral training at University of Cambridge (2013–2018)
Research Interests: Dr Cho’s lab focuses on understanding the biological functions of transposable elements (TEs) in plants, particularly their roles in genome plasticity, epigenetics, and epitranscriptomics. His work challenges the notion of TEs as 'junk DNA' by exploring their contributions to genetic diversity and genome evolution. Using Arabidopsis and rice as primary models, his lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, and computational methods to dissect TE regulation mechanisms. Recent studies highlight the lab’s focus on m6A RNA methylation, transposon mobilization under environmental stresses, and leveraging TEs for crop improvement.
Articles Trends: His recent publications emphasize the interplay between RNA modifications (e.g., m6A methylation/demethylation) and transposon activity, with a strong focus on plant-specific mechanisms. Collaborations with institutions like Zhejiang University and Fudan University underscore his work’s global impact. Key themes include TE-driven epigenetic reprogramming in bamboo, synthetic retroelement integration, and the role of transposon-derived non-coding RNAs in developmental processes.
Scientific Awards:
- CAS PIFI visiting scholar award (2025)
Advising & Grants: Dr Cho currently advises two PhD students: Ben Shone and Seunghui Mun. His lab has secured notable grants including a BBSRC standard research grant and The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation Grant. Previous notable work includes identifying TEs as microRNA sponges in rice root development and elucidating light-induced histone demethylation in seed germination.
Labs & Teams: As head of the Plant Genome Dynamics Lab, Dr Cho leads a team focused on unraveling transposon regulation through innovative techniques like ALE-seq and integrates computational biology with experimental genetics. Collaborators include Professors Chanhong Kim (epigenetic signaling) and Yijing Zhang (rice genomics).
