Kyonggeun Yoon

My research interests are developing new gene therapy technologies, gene repair by oligonucleotides, for potential treatment of genetic or acquired skin diseases. The epidermis is an ideal organ for testing and developing different modalities of gene therapy. The accessibility of the tissue makes it possible to administer therapeutics locally, to monitor the treatment site, and to compare with untreated site easily. The goal of this novel approach is to correct a specific mutation while maintaining the complex genomic organization important for the appropriate expression and regulation of gene. My research interests are diverse ranging from biochemical mechanism of gene repair to practical application to correct the heritable defects of patients with debilitating skin blisters.

As a director of the Cutaneous Gene Therapy Group, my laboratory serves as a training ground for more conventional gene therapies by viral vectors, adenovirus and retrovirus. Several in vivo delivery methods have also been developed in my laboratory, gene gun, topical application, and intradermal injection.

Combining my chemistry background in nucleic acids with molecular cellular biology experiences, I have also developed several technologies in nucleic-acid-based therapeutics, antisense, ribozyme, triple-helix and SELEX for anti-inflammation and anti-viralagents.

Recently, my interests have expanded to RNA interference.