The Translational Infection Biology Laboratory is part of the Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University. Our laboratory investigates the biological mechanisms underlying the development and progression of infectious diseases and seeks to translate these findings into new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Our research focuses on host–pathogen interactions, particularly on how pathogens establish infection and induce changes in host barriers and cellular responses. We also employ molecular and cellular biology approaches, together with protein structural and target analyses, to identify key factors involved in infection and to discover potential therapeutic targets.

To translate fundamental discoveries in infection biology into practical applications, we conduct drug screening and repurposing, structure-based target analysis, biomarker discovery, diagnostic technology development, and evaluation of therapeutic candidates. By using a variety of infectious pathogens and experimental models, we aim to advance our understanding of infection mechanisms and develop new strategies for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infectious diseases.

Ultimately, the Translational Infection Biology Laboratory aims to bridge fundamental infection biology with translational applications by identifying novel molecular targets and biomarkers and developing them into innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Kim MJ, No JH. Cyclin-dependent kinase-inhibitor screening and structural analysis identify a CDK-like kinase candidate in Naegleria fowleri. Parasit Vectors. 2026 Jun 24;19(1):386. doi: 10.1186/s13071-026-07525-8. 

Lee SW, Noh SA, Kim D, Lee W, Lee KS, Kim JH, Choe S, Kim MJ, Lee D. Control of two protozoal infections (Cystoisospora sp. and Pentatrichomonas hominis) in laboratory-bred common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) colony. BMC Vet Res. 2026 Aug 10;22. doi: 10.1186/s12917-026-05817-w. 

Lee S, Kim J, Yang K, Mwakyusa GS, Choe S, Kim MJ, Jeong DH, Lee SH. Molecular identification of trichomonads in captive sugar gliders and tortoises with diarrhea: a case study. Sci Rep. 2026 Jul 10;16:27928. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-60572-0. 

Jo HJ, Kim MJ, Lee HA, Quan FS, Kong HH, Moon EK. Evaluation of the potential for diagnosis of fungal keratitis using a Fusarium-specific antibody. Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 1;15(1):21583. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-08719-3. 

Jo HJ, Kim MJ, Lee HA, Quan FS, Kong HH, Moon EK. Detection of Fusarium solani using cutinase antibody and its application in diagnosing fungal keratitis in an animal model. PLoS One. 2025 Aug 20;20(8):e0330455. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0330455. 

Lee HR, Kim MJ, Chung, JK, Kim WS, Jo HJ, Kim TG, Shin JH, Lee GJ, Quan FS, Kong HH, Moon SW, Moon EK, Choi SS. A chorismate mutase-targeted, core-shell nanoassembly-activated SERS immunoassay platform for rapid non-invasive detection of Acanthamoeba infection. Nano Today. 2024, 59:102506, doi:10.1016/j.nantod.2024.102506.

Kim MJ, Jo HJ, Quan FS, Chu KB, Kong HH, Moon EK. Identification of essential genes for Acanthamoeba castellanii excystation during encystation and excystation. Parasites Hosts Dis. 2024, 62(4):399-407. doi: 10.3347/PHD.24062.

Kim MJ, Jo HJ,Sohn HJ,Shin HJ,Quan FS, Kong HH, Moon EK.Evaluating Evaluating the Diagnostic Potential of Chorismate Mutase Poly-Clonal Peptide Antibody for the Acanthamoeba Keratitis in an Animal Model. Pathogens. 2023, 12(4):526. doi:10.3390/pathogens12040526.

Kim MJ, Moon EK, Jo HJ, Quan FS, Kong HH. Identifying the function of genes involved in excreted vesicle formation in Acanthamoeba castellanii containing Legionella pneumophila. ParasitVectors. 2023, 16(1):215. doi:10.1186/s13071-023-05824-y.

Chu KB, Lee HA, Pflieger M, Fischer F, Asfaha Y, Alves Avelar LA., Skerhut A, Kassack MU, Hansen FK., Schöler A, Kurz T, Kim MJ, Moon EK, Quan FS. Antiproliferation and Antiencystation Effect of Class II Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors on Acanthamoeba castellanii. ACS Infect Dis. 2022, 8(2):271-279. doi: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00390.

Moon EK, Kim MJ, Lee HA, Quan FS, Kong HH. Comparative analysis of differentially expressed genes in Acanthamoeba after ingestion of Legionella pneumophila and Escherichia coli. Exp Parasitol. 2022, 232:108188. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108188

Kim MJ, Ham AJ, Park AY, Sohn HJ, Shin HJ, Quan FS, Kong HH, Moon EK. Detection of Acanthamoeba from Acanthamoeba Keratitis Mouse Model Using Acanthamoeba-Specific Antibodies. Microorganisms. 2022, 10(9):1711. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10091711.

Kim MJ, Quan FS, Kong HH, Kim JH, Moon EK. Specific Detection of Acanthamoeba species using Polyclonal Peptide Antibody Targeting the Periplasmic Binding Protein of A. castellanii. Korean J Parasitol. 2022, 60(2):143-147. doi: 10.3347/kjp.2022.60.2.143.

Kim MJ, Lee HA, Quan FS, Kong HH, Moon EK. Characterization of a Peptide Antibody Specific to the Adenylyl Cyclase-Associated Protein of Acanthamoeba castellanii. Korean J Parasitol. 2022, 60(1):7-14. doi: 10.3347/kjp.2022.60.1.7.

Kim MJ, Chu KB, Lee HA, Quan FS, Kong HH, Moon EK. Detection of Acanthamoeba spp. using carboxylesterase antibody and its usage for diagnosing Acanthamoeba-keratitis. PLoS One. 2022, 17(1):e0262223. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262223.

Kim MJ, Kim KM, Shin JI, Ha JH, Lee DH, Choi JG, Park JS, Byun JH, Yoo JW, Eum S, Jung M, Baik SC, Lee WK, Kang HL, Shin MK. Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Patients with Pulmonary Diseases in Gyeongnam, Korea, Using Multiplex PCR and Multigene Sequence-Based Analysis. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2021, doi: 10.1155/2021/8844306.

1. 아데닐산 고리화효소 관련 단백질에 대한 신규한 항체를 포함하는 가시아메바 종 검출용 조성물

2. 주변세포질 결합 단백질에 대한 신규한 항체를 포함하는 가시아메바 종 검출용 조성물