Chun, Changzoon
Primary Appointment
Pharmacology
Education
- MSc, Microbiology, Pukyong National University
- Ph.D., Molecular & cell biology, University of Connecticut
Contact Information
Email: ubc3yv@virginia.edu
Research Disciplines
Cardiovascular Biology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Pharmacology
Research Interests
Ciliary biology in chemosensory in olfactory neurons & mechanosensory in vascular endothelial cells
Research Description
Cilia are evolutionary conserved subcellular organelles essential for various cellular functions including homeostasis, sensing external stimuli and mechanosensation. Dysfunctional cilia are implicated in a number of chronic disabling conditions in humans, collectively known as ciliopathies. The transition zone (TZ), a multiprotein complex at the base of the cilium, maintains the cilium’s unique composition by regulating the entry and exit of proteins. The composition and organization of the TZ can vary among cilia in different organisms and cell types. We use Expansion microscopy (ExM) combined with super-resolution microscope to delineate the TZ structure in multiciliated chemosensory cilia in olfactory sensory neuron and a single mechanosensory primary cilium in vascular endothelium. Currently, our research focuses on investigating the mechanotransduction of endothelial primary cilia in the thoracic and abdominal aorta.