Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Kyu Shik Mun, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute
Department of Pediatrics
MUN LAB: https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/research/labs/mun.html
After completing my Ph.D studies at University of Cincinnati in 2016, I embarked on a career journey that led me to the Cystic Fibrosis Research Center within the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Here, I was tasked with spearheading the development of the “Organ-on-a-Chip Program.” Drawing upon my engineering expertise and proficiency in photolithography, I successfully established a microfluidic-based organ-on-a-chip initiative from the ground up. Through this program, I created multiple organ-on-chip models, pioneering novel in vitro cell-culture platforms.
These innovative models not only enable the study of cellular function but also facilitate investigations into cell-cell interactions. Additionally, I received comprehensive training in the isolation and cultivation of patient-derived primary cells sourced from various human organs, including the lung, intestine, liver, and pancreas. This enabled me to delve into the study of Cystic Fibrosis and related disorders with a focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms and developing effective treatments.
Transitioning to my role as a Junior Faculty and Assistant Professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, within the Department of Medicine and the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, I continued my research endeavors. Here, my responsibilities expanded to encompass the development of CF-Organs-on-Chips, including models such as the Pancreas on a Chip, Gut on a Chip, and Lung on a Chip. Additionally, I embarked on pioneering work in the field of 3D bioengineered human organs using advanced 3D bioprinting technology.
With 3D bioprinting, I successfully created patient-derived human lung airways, incorporating lung fibroblasts and proximal airway epithelial cells into intricate networks within a 3D scaffold. These bioengineered organs, with fully differentiated ciliary and goblet cells lining their surfaces, hold immense promise for advancing our understanding of lung-related diseases, such as Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Furthermore, these bioengineered 3D human organs serve as invaluable tools for drug screening and toxicity testing, offering insights into cellular function, cell-cell interactions, and ciliary beat frequency. Through my ongoing research efforts, I aim to contribute to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies and enhance our capabilities in the realm of personalized medicine.
W20--Model Systems to Study Non-pulmonary Manifestations of CF
Friday, September 27, 2024
10:15 AM – 12:15 PM ET