Modern advanced and developed countries including South Korea
have been witnessing the rapid increase of older adults, who
may suffer from age-related physical and mental illnesses.
The mission of the Graduate Studies in Age-Related and Brain
Diseases is (1) to identify possible causes of, and to develop
new therapeutics for, neurodegenerative diseases, such as
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's, (2) to provide
health care professionals with high-standard education and
training in geriatrics, and (3) to train research personnel
devoted to these detrimental illnesses. Kyung Hee University
is famous for the very solid infrastructure where Western,
Oriental, and Dental Medicines, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics,
and Biological/Biochemical Sciences can be readily mixed and
combined. The highly competent faculty members of the Department
from diverse research areas make the best of these advantages
and have been trying to establish firm integrative networks
of research and education. Motivated students and trainees
surely will enjoy the heuristic courses and creative research
experiences within the collaborative environment of the Department.
1) At least 24 course units of graduate level credit in the
courses are required for the master's degree, and 60 course
units for the doctor's degree including units completed during
the master course.
2) Students have to pass a qualifying examination for each
degree.
3) Master's degree students are obliged to present their work
in the academic meetings of their specific research field.
4) Doctoral students are obliged to get at least two research
papers published in prominent academic journals.
5) Students must fulfill presentation, defense, and document
requirements for the Department thesis committee.
6) The thesis advisor can be any faculty member from the Department
(i.e., either full-time or participating professors).
Some
major courses of the Department are exemplified as follows.
Molecular Neurobiology (3 points) involves the comprehensive
understanding of the structure and function of nervous system
at the molecular level. Molecular Neurogenetics (3 points) aims
to identify the molecular links between neuropathophysiological
phenomena and underlying genetic defects. Cellular Neurobiology
(3 points) tries to explain the functions of the nervous system
at cell biological level. Molecular Basis of Neurodegenerative
Disease (3 points) tries to explain the molecular mechanisms
of, and possible therapeutic approaches for, neurodegenerative
diseases, such as dementia, stroke and Parkinson's diseases.
Neuroendocrinology (3 points) focuses on the cross-talks between
nervous and endocrine systems. Electrophysiology of the Neuron
(3 points) discusses how the membrane potential is regulated
and what kinds of ion channels are present in neuronal cells.
Neurotransmitter & Synaptic Transmission (3 points) studies
the actions and molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter molecules.
Central Nervous System Diseases and Regeneration (3 points)
teaches the symptoms, causes, possible therapies for CNS diseases.
Seminars in Degenerating Brain Diseases (3 points) deals with
the causes and current therapeutic approaches of the neurodegenerative
diseases, such as dementia, Parkinson's, Huntington's, stroke,
and spinal cord injury. In addition, weekly Seminar (3 points)
series will provide students for the invaluable opportunity
to hear from competent professional researchers about their
recent achievements.
Ho-Gun Rhi, Ph.D.
[University of Georgia, 1989, Professor, Microbiology, hgrhie@khu.ac.kr]
In-Suk Kang , Ph.D.
[New York University at Buffalo, 1993, Associate Professor,
Biochemistry, iskang@khu.ac.kr]
Sung-Jin Kim, Ph.D.
[Alabama University at Birmingham, 1992, Professor, Pharmacology,
kimsj@khu.ac.kr]
Jong-Hoon Ryu, Ph.D.
[Tohoku University, 1995, Associate Professor, Pharmacology,
jhryu63@khu.ac.kr]
Institute
of Age-related and Brain Disease
URL: http://www.abd.or.kr
Director: Professor Tae-Hwan Oh, Ph.D.
Research Overview
The aims of the Institute are to identify possible causes
of, and to develop new therapeutic agents for, various neurodegenerative
diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's
diseases.
Ongoing Projects
A. Basic research and drug discovery for age-related and brain
diseases
(1) Basic neuroscience research: neuronal development and
differentiation, neuronal signal transduction, behavioral
neuroscience
(2) Studies on age-related and brain diseases: genes involved
in aging and brain diseases, proliferation and differentiation
of neuronal stem cells, molecular mechanisms for the neuronal
cell death and inflammation
(3) Drug discovery: new therapeutic agents/targets for dementia,
stroke, arthritis, and diabetes
B. Training research personnel devoted to neurodegenerative
diseases
C. Large collaborative research projects funded by the government
D. Hosting domestic and international symposiums on neurodegenerative
diseases
E. Interchange amongst domestic and international institutes
for age-related and brain diseases
F. Purchasing, maintaining, and sharing of the core research
facility
