Seong-Min Kim
Researcher (Alev-G)
- Position
- Program-Specific Researcher
- Research Field
- Developmental biology, Stem cell biology
- ORCID
- https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3776-7918
Research Overview
From Stem Cells to in vitro Embryo Models: Investigating Peri-Gastrulation Development and Beyond
During my PhD, I primarily worked on stem cell biology, specifically investigating the basic biology of post- and peri-implantation embryo development using mESCs, miPSCs, and hESCs. I focused on how cell fate decisions are regulated during early embryo development through an elaborate interplay among signaling pathways, metabolism, and epigenetic mechanisms. In addition to conducting molecular biology and cell-based experiments, I also gained substantial experience in animal experiments, especially with mice. In order to characterize cellular features, I also used embryo models, such as blastoids, which mimic the early blastocyst stage.
Based on my background in stem cell biology and early embryo development, I aim to expand my focus of research to include post-gastrulation development. This could be achieved by working with more advanced embryo models, such as the axioloid model developed by the Alev Group, which recapitulates somitogenesis in vitro. I am particularly interested in incorporating additional developmental events into this model, such as organogenesis or tissue-specific differentiation, which would give rise to more systematic and intricate in vitro embryo models. Additionally, I am also interested in developing novel embryo models that recapitulate peri-gastrulation stages of development.
These models hold potential to reconstitute and analyze various aspects of embryonic development and morphogenesis including gastrulation, segmentation, and axis formation. Such advancements will provide strong foundations for creating well-controlled future embryo models with high reproducibility, which later can be applied towards disease modeling and evolutionary studies. Integrating my previous research interests-metabolism and epigenetics- would further enhance our understanding of embryo development. By expanding into these new areas, my research could contribute significantly to a deeper understanding of early mammalian development.
Biography
Seong-Min obtained her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Seoul National University, Republic of Korea in August 2024. During her Ph.D., she focused on signaling pathways, metabolism, and epigenetics in pre- and peri-implantation embryo development, mainly using mouse and human ESCs/iPSCs. She had her short-term visiting period at the Alev Group in ASHBi during 2023 for her collaboration work. After obtaining her Ph.D., she joined the Alev Group from September 2024 as a post-doctoral researcher.
Publications
Kyeong-Hyeon Eom*, Dong-Hyeok Kwon, Young-Chai Kim, Gyeong-Min Gim, Soo-Young Yum, Seong-Min Kim, Hyuk-Jin Cha, Goo Jang#, Mammalian Ubiquitous Promoter Isolated from Proximal Regulatory Region of Bovine MSTN Gene, 2024, Scientific Reports
Keun-Tae Kim*, Seong-Min Kim*, Hyuk-Jin Cha#, Crosstalk between Signaling Pathways and Energy Metabolism in Pluripotency, 2024, International Journal of Stem Cells
Kyeong-Mo Koo*, Young-Hyun Go*, Seong-Min Kim, Chang-Dae Kim, Jeong Tae Do, Tae-Hyung Kim, Hyuk-Jin Cha#, Label-free and non-destructive identification of naïve and primed embryonic stem cells based on differences in cellular metabolism, 2023, Biomaterials
Yun-Jeong Kim*, Young-Hyun Go, Ho-Chang Jeong, Eun-Ji Kwon, Seong-Min Kim, Hyun Sub Cheong, Wantae Kim, Hyoung Doo Shin, Haeseung Lee, Hyuk-Jin Cha#, TPX2 prompts mitotic survival via the induction of BCL2L1 through YAP1 protein stabilization in human embryonic stem cells, 2023, Experimental & Molecular Medicine
Seong-Min Kim*, Eun-Ji Kwon, Yun-Jeong Kim, Young-Hyun Go, Ji-Young Oh, Seokwoo Park, Jeong Tae Do, Keun-Tae Kim#, Hyuk-Jin Cha#, Dichotomous role of Shp2 for naïve and primed pluripotency maintenance in embryonic stem cells, 2022, Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Keun-Tae Kim*, Ji-Young Oh, Seokwoo Park, Seong-Min Kim, Patterson Benjamin, In-Hyun Park, Kwang-Hoon Chun, Young-Tae Chang, Hyuk-Jin Cha#, Live isolation of naïve ESCs via distinct glucose metabolism and stored glycogen, 2022, Metabolic Engineering
Young-Hyun Go*, Jumee Kim, Ho-Chang Jeong, Seong-Min Kim, Yun Jeong Kim, Soon-Jung Park, Sung-Hwan Moon, Hyuk-Jin Cha#, Luteolin Induces Selective Cell Death of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells, 2020, Biomedicines
Awards
-Best Poster Award, Korean Society for Stem Cell Research (KSSCR) (2020)
-Excellent Poster Awards, Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology (KSMCB) (2021)
-Travel Award, International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) (2022)
-Best Poster Award, Korean Society for Stem Cell Research (KSSCR) (2022)
-Young Scientist Award, Biopharmaceutical Research Community-Symposium (2022)
-Best Poster award, Cold Spring Harbor-Asia: Human Development (2023)
-Poster Award, ASHBi-KAIST Joint Workshop (2024)
Joined
Sep. 16, 2024