Lee, Jin-Gu

Jin-Gu Lee is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences. His research focuses on protein quality control mechanisms, ubiquitination, neurodegenerative diseases, and APOL1-related kidney disease. He has published 33 peer-reviewed articles with over 1,300 non-self citations.

• B.S., Microbiology, Keimyung University (1999)
• M.S., College of Medicine, Keimyung University (2004)
• Ph.D., College of Medicine, Keimyung University (2006)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Yeungnam University (2008–2013)
• Research Fellow, NIH (2013–2017)

Dr. Lee investigates molecular pathways in protein quality control, particularly APOL1-related kidney disease in individuals with African ancestry. His work reveals that APOL1 risk alleles disrupt ER ion homeostasis, contributing to therapeutic strategies. He also studies maternal diabetes-induced embryonic anomalies using mouse models in Dr. Peixin Yang’s lab.

His publications (2024–2013) span neuroscience, molecular biology, and virology, with recent work on α-synuclein secretion via mono-UFMylation (2024) and SARS-CoV-2 protein pathogenicity (2021–2022). Earlier studies (2013–2003) address ubiquitin dynamics, TLR signaling, and oxidative stress in cellular processes.

• Highlight from the issue, FEBS Lett. 581:787-793 (2007)

Dr. Lee collaborates with Dr. Peixin Yang’s lab, utilizing Drosophila nephrocyte and mouse models to study renal and developmental pathologies. His work bridges biochemical mechanisms with translational applications, emphasizing protein degradation, signal transduction, and disease etiology.