Sangmoo Jeong, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University

"Chemical and biomolecular engineering approaches for precision medicine to tackle cancer metastasis and diabetic retinopathy"

Abstract:

Metastasis is a cascade of challenging events for cancer cells. It has been widely accepted that cancer cells with a higher capacity to maintain oxidative stress are more likely to metastasize. Recent studies showed that E-cadherin, a key molecule for adherens junctions between epithelial cells, was essential to lower oxidative stress and survive during metastasis of breast cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism was unclear. We have identified that the serine synthesis pathway (SSP), a branch of the glycolysis pathway, is upregulated in E-cadherin-positive breast cancer cells, conferring metabolic advantages for oxidative stress management and anabolic processes. I will present the mechanism details in this talk. Another exciting project in my lab is developing a point-of-clinic sensing technology for personalized treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR results from abnormal vascularization in the retina; the first-line treatment is the intravitreal injection of angiogenesis inhibitors. However, no method currently exists in a clinic to determine which inhibitors would be more effective in each case, which leads to unsatisfactory treatment efficacy in many patients. Multiple injections and delayed treatments significantly increase the risk of permanent vision loss. We have developed an immuno-magnetic optical sensing technology capable of rapidly quantifying multiple cytokines as low as 25 pg/mL in <100 uL aqueous humor. Our technology has the potential for personalized treatment for DR. I will also share the technology details in this talk.

Bio:

Dr. Sangmoo Jeong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. His lab is interested in applying engineering principles to investigate cancer and vascular diseases and develop novel analytical tools to address challenging questions. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the KAIST in Korea and a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. He completed his postdoctoral research at Mass General Hospital, and later, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He is a recipient of the NIH K99/R00 and MIRA awards.