https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2020.sw.kumedicine/535 2026-04-04T16:12:43Z 2026-04-04T16:12:43Z Yeo, Jinah Yun, Mi-ran Kim, Seo-Yeon Seok, Jong-Hyun Jeon, Ji Hyang Lee, Taeyoung Kim, Jeonghun Kim, Kisoon Park, Man-Seong Kim, Dokeun Kim, You-Jin https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79330 2026-02-25T02:30:33Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Structure-guided design of a bivalent SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine with NTD stabilizing mutations enhances broad immunity Authors: Yeo, Jinah; Yun, Mi-ran; Kim, Seo-Yeon; Seok, Jong-Hyun; Jeon, Ji Hyang; Lee, Taeyoung; Kim, Jeonghun; Kim, Kisoon; Park, Man-Seong; Kim, Dokeun; Kim, You-Jin Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 evolution, particularly the emergence of Omicron variants, has challenged vaccine efficacy, necessitating antigens with broad and variant-specific protection. To design mRNA vaccine antigens with broad-spectrum immunity and enhanced stability, we developed two spike antigens using in silico optimization: Css_dsg S, the ancestral strain-Delta variant consensus with stabilizing mutations, and Omi_dsg S, an Omicron-adapted design. Computational analysis identified two critical N-terminal domain stabilization sites consistently enhancing protein expression across variants, suggesting their potential as universal stabilizing elements. Css_dsg S elicited robust IFN-gamma T cell responses and significantly elevated neutralizing antibody titers against variants in BALB/c mice. Omi_dsg S induced strong immune responses in vivo. A bivalent mRNA vaccine combining both antigens elicited superior neutralizing antibody responses and conferred enhanced protection against BN.1 and BA.5 challenges in K18-hACE2 mice. These findings support computationally optimized spike antigens, particularly the bivalent formulation, as a promising strategy for next-generation vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Song, Sojin Kim, Soohyun Lee, Jeong Seop Kang, Hyun Wook Seok, Jong Hyeon Park, Man-Seong Choi, Nakwon Sung, Young Joon Sim, Sang Jun https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/77822 2025-11-13T02:00:49Z 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Filtering evaluation of multiplex respiratory virus-like particles by machine learning-assisted surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy Authors: Song, Sojin; Kim, Soohyun; Lee, Jeong Seop; Kang, Hyun Wook; Seok, Jong Hyeon; Park, Man-Seong; Choi, Nakwon; Sung, Young Joon; Sim, Sang Jun Abstract: The persistent threat of respiratory viral infections emphasizes the need for face masks with effective virus protection. Masks provide an immediate physical barrier against respiratory droplets, particularly without effective therapeutic interventions. Conventional filtration performance tests cannot replicate key viral characteristics or the real-world environment of viruses within respiratory droplets. Here, we developed a cutting-edge system for mask evaluation using machine learning (ML)-assisted surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with multiplex respiratory virus-like particles (VLPs). Our microfluidic spray system generates human respiratory droplets containing VLPs with adjustable specific viral properties, simulating real-world transmission conditions. Additionally, the developed ML-based advanced one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) model efficiently analyzed complex SERS spectral datasets, quantifying the distribution of Raman dye-tagged VLPs with over 92 % accuracy. Consequently, this high-throughput, multiplexed system enables precise evaluation of mask filtration performance under realistic conditions and provides valuable insights into viral droplets across diverse environments, supporting evidence-based public health strategies to control respiratory infections. © 2025

2025-11-01T00:00:00Z Kim, Chun-Geun Kwon, Daehyun Lee, Kyuyoung Kim, Se Eun Jo, Hyun Min https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/78055 2025-09-08T07:57:27Z 2025-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The prevalence of reasons for tooth extraction in cats Authors: Kim, Chun-Geun; Kwon, Daehyun; Lee, Kyuyoung; Kim, Se Eun; Jo, Hyun Min Abstract: Objectives This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diseases leading to tooth extraction in a large population of cats and to identify factors associated with each condition, including age, sex, breed, and tooth position.Methods All cats underwent a thorough dental examination and full mouth dental radiographs to assess their oral health. Each tooth was classified according to its primary pathological condition, and extraction was performed based on clinical criteria specific to each disease. Tooth extractions were then performed using appropriate methods based on the condition of each tooth. For a detailed analysis of each disease, a comparative study was conducted considering factors such as sex, age, breed, and tooth position.Results Periodontitis (33.41%), feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS, 32.40%), and tooth resorption (TR, 15.21%) were the three most frequent reasons for tooth extraction in cats. Periodontitis and TR tended to significantly increase in prevalence with age, while FCGS showed a decreasing trend with age. Periodontitis was most commonly observed in the maxillary first molar teeth and mandibular incisor teeth, and least frequently in the canine teeth, with no statistically significant differences by sex or breed. FCGS showed a higher prevalence in domestic shorthair cats, and a slightly higher extraction rate in intact females compared to spayed females. There were no statistically significant differences by tooth location. TR was most frequently found in the mandibular third premolar teeth, with no significant variation by sex. While some breeds showed higher TR prevalence, the distribution varied across breeds.Conclusions and relevance This study underscores the importance of tailored dental care for cats, especially as they age, and highlights the need for further studies to explore the links between factors such as nutrition, genetics, and oral health. A better understanding of these aspects can lead to improved overall health and quality of life for cats.

2025-07-01T00:00:00Z Lee, Kyuyoung Demirev, Atanas V. Lee, Sangyi Cho, Seunghye Kim, Hyunbeen Cho, Junhyung Yang, Jeong-Sun Kim, Kyung-Chang Lee, Joo-Yeon Shin, Woojin Lee, Soyoung Park, Sejik Lemey, Philippe Park, Man-Seong Kim, Jin Il https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/77833 2025-07-18T08:39:43Z 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Forecasting framework for dominant SARS-CoV-2 strains before clade replacement using phylogeny-informed genetic distances Authors: Lee, Kyuyoung; Demirev, Atanas V.; Lee, Sangyi; Cho, Seunghye; Kim, Hyunbeen; Cho, Junhyung; Yang, Jeong-Sun; Kim, Kyung-Chang; Lee, Joo-Yeon; Shin, Woojin; Lee, Soyoung; Park, Sejik; Lemey, Philippe; Park, Man-Seong; Kim, Jin Il Abstract: Introduction Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and continues to drive successive waves of infection through the emergence of novel variants. Consequently, accurately predicting the next clade roots through global surveillance is crucial for effective prevention, control, and timely updates of vaccine antigen updates. This study evaluated the evolutionary dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 using phylogeny-informed genetic distances based on 394 complete genomes and spike (S) gene sequences. Furthermore, we introduced a forecasting framework to estimate the potential of emerging variants leading to clade replacement by analyzing non-synonymous and synonymous genetic distances from clade roots, which reflect global herd immune pressure.Methods Non-synonymous and synonymous genetic distances from both Wuhan and clade root strains were assessed to predict whether a clade would become dominant or extinct within 3 months before the clade replacement.Results Through five observed clade replacements up to January 2024, we captured the quantifiable heterogeneity in non-synonymous and synonymous genetic distances of the S gene from clade roots between dominant and extinct variants, as measured by the extent of novelty, whether through gradual or drastic change.Discussion Our framework demonstrated high predictability for identifying the next clade root before replacement in both training and test datasets (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] > 0.90) by incorporating differential weighting of non-synonymous and synonymous genetic distances. Additionally, the framework solely using spike gene data demonstrated similar accuracy to those using the complete genome. Overall, our approach establishes quantifiable molecular criteria for identifying potential updates to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, contributing to proactive pandemic preparedness.

2025-06-01T00:00:00Z