Kangwon National UniversityCollege of Medicine · School of Medicine

The Department of Microbiology focuses on research in virology and immunology. It has three main research laboratories

The Laboratory of Cellular Immuno-Biology (CIB) attempts to understand how our body defends against various pathogenic microorganisms. We are currently focusing on the pivotal branch of the immune system, the humoral immune response. Antibodies are essential for our existence as they attack invading pathogens. Since high-quality antibodies are produced in the germinal centers of secondary lymphoid organs, we are currently studying the cellular and molecular interactions among follicular dendritic cells, B cells, and T cells. We hope to apply our research findings in the treatment of immunological disorders.

The Laboratory of Viral Immunology is conducting research on viral epidemiology. Gastroenteritis outbreaks remain a major public health concern.

We are currently focusing on human enteric viruses, such as the rotavirus, norovirus, enteric adenovirus, and bocavirus. The laboratory has also investigated human T cell biology, focusing on immunosenescence and autoimmunity. We analyzed the effects of aging and autoimmune diseases on regulatory T cells in humans.

 The Vaccine & Antibody Research Laboratory focuses on the development of therapeutic vaccines against the various forms of cancer, including cervical cancer, melanoma, colon cancer, breast cancer, and others, along with combination therapy modalities including immune therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. We are also studying cancer immune escape mechanisms and countermeasures for cancer control. In addition, we are presently developing both diagnostic and therapeutic antibodies against newly emerging viral infections caused by the Ebola virus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, Zika virus, and others.