Chemyong Ko

Biography

He has done his Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, 2000-2002, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, 1998-2000, Ph.D. Biology Education, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, 1998.

Research Interest

My laboratory’s main research interest is to elucidate the molecular mechanism of ovulation, the process of egg release from the ovary. The program of ovulation is activated by a surge of pituitary luteinizing hormone that initiates dramatic changes in molecular, biochemical, and physical events in the ovary, eventually expelling eggs from the ovary. Ovulatory failure has been associated with the development of numerous ovarian disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hemorrhagic cyst formation, hormonal imbalance and infertility, all of which are major risk factors for women’s health. Recent findings reveal that ovulatory dysfunction is closely related with either malnutrition or unhealthy diet. My laboratory is now investigating the molecular and functional relationship between nutrition and reproductive function both in females and males. We generate transgenic animal models and used them for those projects. Once noble findings are made from the animal studies, molecular mechanisms behind are sought using in vitro experiments. Routinely applied skills/approaches include but not limited to tissue specific gene targeting, breeding, behavioral studies, microsurgery, histology, immunohistochemistry, hormone assays, DNA microarray/ RNA-Seq, real-time PCR, tissue culture, and bioinformatics. The ultimate research goal of our lab is to help men and women who suffer from reproductive disorders.