Calculated based on number of publications stored in Pure and citations from Scopus
1992 …2024

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Research interests

Dr. Jong Yun studies the development of therapeutic agents for cancer and neurological diseases.

The Yun research group is currently pursuing two separate projects with a focus on development of novel therapeutic agents for cancer and neurological diseases.

The first project is centered around the discovery of our novel inhibitors of sphingosine kinases (SphK), on oncogenic sphingolipid metabolic enzyme associated multiple cancer types. Sphingolipid metabolites (i.e., ceramide, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate) are not only important structural components of biologic membranes, but are also essential signaling modulators of cell growth and/or cell death in response to various oncogenes, cytokines/growth factors, as well as multiple chemotherapeutic agents and select cannabinoids. In our “proof-of concept” in vivo studies using mouse leukemia models, we discovered that the anti-leukemia activity of our novel SphK inhibitor was very effective in immuno-competent mouse models, whereas it was minimally effective in immuno-deficient NOD-SCID mouse models. This observation led us to focus our research studies on investigating mechanisms associated with the role of sphingolipid metabolites in cancer immunogenic cell death and its’ innate/immune cell response associated with immunotherapy. 

The second project is centered around our novel drug-like compound, SHY-1 that induces a unique cellular morphological change. Our initial KINOMEscan® screening assay revealed that SHY-1 is a potent poly-pharmacological inhibitor of multiple kinases. Using multiple in vitro cell culture models, we discovered that SHY-1 robustly stimulates neurite/axon formation/growth leading to extensive synaptic connections. Based on these and other evidence, we believe SHY-1 can be further developed as a novel pharmacological therapeutic agent for neurological injury and/or diseases. We are currently elucidating the signaling mechanisms associated with SHY-1 in induction of neuronal neurite/axon formation/growth. Further, we are exploring the potential applicability and feasibility of SHY-1/analog as a theranostic polypharmacological agent for translational research in spinal injury and neurodegenerative diseases.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Jong Yun is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 1 Similar Profiles

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or