B.S. Seoul National University (1976)
M.S. Seoul National University (1978)
Ph.D. University of Missouri (1984)

1978-1980 Research Scientist, KIST
1984-1986 Postdoc., Cornell University
1986-1989 Assistant Professor, Chonbuk National University
1989-2019.8, Department of Chemistry, KAIST

(Awards)
Korean Chemical Society
Korean Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Korean Society of Molecular and Cellular Biology
RNA Society

In the cell, messenger RNA (mRNA) is a class of RNA molecules, well known as the protein-coding information carrier. The cell also has noncoding RNA (ncRNA) molecules, such as tRNA and rRNA.  In recent years, many ncRNAs have been found from bacteria to mammals. ncRNAs are a versatile class of molecules involved in various cellular metabolisms by functioning as housekeeping or regulatory molecules on the RNA level. Our interests lie in elucidating their functional mechanisms and regulatory strategies to control cellular metabolism through them. Our research is also pursuing to identify the pathological mechanisms of metabolic disorders related to defects in RNA metabolism.

Functional analysis of noncoding RNAs
Mechanisms governing regulation of RNA synthesis and degradation
RNA metabolism related to diseases

"Novel function of C5 protein as a metabolic stabilizer of M1 RNA", Yool Kim, Younghoon Lee, FEBS Lett. 2009, 583, 419-424.

"ERK is a novel regulatory kinase for poly(A) polymerase", Seol-Hoon Lee, Hyun-Sook Choi, Hana Kim, and Younghoon Lee, Nucleic Acids Res. 2008, 36, 803-813.

"Dual function of RNase E for control of M1 RNA biosynthesis in Escherichia coli", Jae-hyeong Ko, Kook Han, Yool Kim, Soyeong Sim, Kwang-sun Kim, Sang-Joon Lee, Bongrae Cho, Kangryul Lee, and Younghoon Lee, Biochemistry 2008, 47, 762-770.

"Processing of M1 RNA at the 3' end protects its primary transcript from degradation", Kwang-sun Kim, Soyeong Sim, Jae-hyeong Ko, and Younghoon Lee, J. Biol. Chem. 2005, 280, 34667-34674.

"Regulation of 6S RNA biogenesis by switching utilization of both sigma factors and endoribonucleases", Kwang-sun Kim and Younghoon Lee, Nucleic Acids Res. 2004, 32, 6057-6068.

"Regulation of poly(A) polymerase by 14-3-3ε", Hana Kim, June Hyung Lee, and Younghoon Lee, EMBO J.2003, 22, 5208-5219.

"Interaction of C5 protein with RNA aptamers selected by SELEX", June Hyung Lee, Hana Kim, Jaehyeong Ko, and Younghoon Lee,Nucleic Acids Res. 2002, 30, 5360-5368.