Hi! I am Hyun Jun (Hyunjun), a systems biologist in epithelial cell physiology and renal physiology. I am currenlty working as a Nephrology faculty (Instructor) at the Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. My work focuses on cell state dynamics in epithelial cells and core transcriptional regulatory circuits associated with cellular processes in epithelial cell physiology.

Affiliation

Instructor, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Research interests

Epithelial cell physiology; Renal physiology; Cell state dynamics; Fluid-electrolyte disorders; Breast cancer; Systems biology; Computational biology; Multi-omics; Bioinformatics; Molecular biology

Cells change their state over time, exhibiting specific configurations of genes, proteins, and metabolites. Dynamic cell state transitions in functional cells offer novel insights into disease development. Cell state dynamics in epithelial cells provide key physiological mechanisms for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance through the dynamic regulation of transepithelial permeability in various organs. The fundamental goal of my research is to understand the molecular underpinnings of cell state transitions during physiological and pathophysiological processes in epithelial cells and to develop therapeutic strategies for translational precision medicine by applying data-driven systems biology and biomedical data science.

Epithelial cell state dynamics in renal physiology: In the kidney, epithelial cell state transitions play a role in both physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. The highly differentiated nephric tubular epithelia possess dynamic adaptation mechanisms to acute and chronic changes under various physiological conditions. Cell state transitions are an early and prominent feature of various kidney diseases, characterized by alterations in the structure and function of the nephric tubules. These changes can lead to impaired renal functions and can further exacerbate renal damage as end-organ damage. Therefore, understanding the mechanistic features of epithelial cell state transitions will address biological questions built upon current knowledge of epithelial cell physiology and offer new insights into translational research approaches for kidney diseases. I am developing research pipelines in studying the molecular underpinnings of dynamic cell state transitions involved in determining epithelial cell identity and fate and maintaining epithelial cell functions.

Systems and computational biology in kidney precision medicine: I am developing research pipelines and resources to conduct translational research in various kidney diseases and develop precision medicine strategies. In particular, a database of key molecular signatures of epithelial cell state transitions established from various kidney disease models (polycystic kidney disease, acute injuries, hypertension, fibrosis, diabetes, and nephrotic syndrome) will provide advanced resources for developing diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for different types and stages of kidney diseases. Additionally, large-scale datasets of molecular signatures based on kidney disease subtypes will be expanded to facilitate further translational research approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases.

Cell state dynamics as a potential therapeutic solution for targeted therapy in breast cancer: Epithelial cells of mammary ducts exhibit cellular plasticity and can develop into cancer cells. Unlike kidney nephron epithelial cells, multipotent mammary stem cells (MaSCs) drive the stage-specific development of the mammary gland. While pluripotent stem cells exist in the mammary ducts, the plasticity of differentiated epithelial cells (basal and luminal cells) is important for maintaining the ductal system in postnatal tissues. The cell state transitions of differentiated epithelial cells, especially luminal cells, are highly associated with tumorigenesis in the mammary ducts. Dysregulation of cell state transitions through oncogenic alterations in gene expression and signal transduction is considered as a key molecular underpinning in the tumorigenesis of the mammary ducts. Understanding luminal cell state transitions through comprehensive profiling of molecular signatures will provide resources for developing therapeutic strategies for targeted breast cancer therapy. I am developing research pipelines and resources to expand current knowledge and opportunities for conducting translational research on targeted therapies in breast cancer. Cell type- or tumor-subtype-specific molecular signatures and signaling networks associated with dynamic cell state transitions during ductal epithelial cancer development will provide resources for developing personalized and targeted cancer therapies. Furthermore, the roles of membrane transporter and channel proteins associated with epithelial cell states will provide novel insights into the development of therapeutic targets for breast cancer therapy.

Profile online

Contact

Email to Hyun Jun Jung: (work) hjung24@jhmi.edu (personal) hynjn.jung@gmail.com.