Center for
Cognition and Sociality

Education

MD
Seoul National University (1974)

PhD
Cornell University (1983)

Major Professional Experience

Postdoctoral Fellow in Immunology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research (1978-1980)

Research Associate in Genetics, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research (1983-1985)

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biology, MIT / Associate Member, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (1985-1991)

Associate Professor, Professor, Dept. Life Science, POSTECH (1991-2001)

Director, Biotechnology Research Center, POSTECH (1996-1998)

Director, National CRI Center for Calcium and Learning (1997-2003)

Principal Research Scientist, KIST (2001-2012)

Director, Center for Neural Science, KIST (2005-2011)

Director-General, Brain Science Institute, KIST (2011-2012)

Director, Center for Cognition and Sociality, IBS (2012-2020)

Honors

Honors and Awards

2004	Hoam Prize
2004	Order of Civil Merit (Dongbaeg Medal), Korea
2006	National Honor Scientist, Korea
2009	National Academy of Sciences, USA, Foreign Associate
2010	National Academy of Science, Korea, Member
2018	AAAS Fellow
2021	Francine Shapiro Award 2020, EMDR-Europe Society
2021	Fellow, IUPS Academy of Physiologists, International Union of Physiological Societies

Selected Publications

Neural circuits underlying a psychotherapeutic regimen for fear disorders. Nature 566, 339-343 (2019).

A missense variant at the Nrxn3 locus enhances empathy fear in the mouse. Neuron. 98(3):588-601, 2018

Mice in conflict show rule-observance behavior enhancing long-term benefit. Nature Comm. 7;8(1):1176, 2017

Thalamic Spindles Promote Memory Formation during Sleep through Triple Phase-Locking of Cortical, Thalamic, and Hippocampal Rhythms. Neuron 95(2):424-435.e6, 2017

Rebound burst firing in the reticular thalamus is not essential for pharmacological absence seizures in mice. PNAS, USA 111(32), 11828-33, 2014

Optogenetically induced sleep spindle rhythms alter sleep architectures in mice, PNAS. 109(50): 20673-20678, 2012

Bidirectional modulation of fear extinction by mediodorsal thalamic firing in mice. Nat Neurosci, 15(2):308-14, 2011

Observational fear learning involves affective pain system and Cav1.2 Ca2+channels in ACC. Nat. Neurosci, 13(4):482-8, 2010

Thalamic control of visceral nociception mediated by T-type Ca2+ channels. Science, 302:117-119, 2003

Lack of the burst mode firing of thalamocortical relay neurons and resistance to absence seizures in mice lacking the α1G subunit of T-type Ca2+ channels. Neuron, 31:35-45, 2001

Phospholipase C isozymes selectively couple to specific neurotransmitter receptors. Nature, 389:290-293, 1997

Reseach Interests

Behavior models for empathy and investigation of the neural mechanisms

We aim to develop animal behavioral models to study empathic responses and the underlying neural mechanisms. In our previous studies, we have established an observational fear model in mouse and revealed major brain regions such as anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA); essential neurobiological signatures like theta synchronization; and several genetic factors that modulate empathic fear responses. Based on the prior research, we are further developing novel behavioral models for empathy other than empathic fear and investigating fundamental brain activities associated with them. We aim to develop an animal behavior model that measures the transmission of positive emotions resulting from place-preferred behavior by social relationships by utilizing mice that are rewarded for intra-brain pleasure. The long-term goal is to establish the brain region underlying this behavior and to measure neural activity. These studies will help understand empathy, the primary brain function for our daily lives, and will also provide a clinical basis to identify and treat a lack of empathy observed in many mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

Lab Members