Dr. Jin Seo

Education

Ph.D., Microbiology
University of Texas at Austin

M.S., Interdisciplinary Program of Genetic Engineering
Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

B.S., Biochemistry
Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

Professional Experience

2024-Present, Professor
2023-Present, Department Head for Department of Biology
2019-2024, Associate Professor, Department of Biology
2013-2019, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Rogers State University, Claremore, OK

2013, Instructor, Department of Plastic Surgery
2011-2012, Instructor, Department of Developmental Biology
2005-2011, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Developmental Biology
UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

1998-2005, Graduate Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant, Department of Microbiology
University of Texas at Austin

Courses Taught:

• General Cellular Biology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Microbiology
• Molecular Cell Biology
• Biology Research Method-I, II
• Molecular Technique Lab
• Molecular Virology
• Stem Cell and Development
• Physiology

Research Interests

My research focuses on cellular signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms regulating obesity, diabetes, and aging. There are two ongoing projects in my lab:

1. Interaction between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway and the target of rapamycin pathway (TOR): The two pathways regulate overlapping cellular processes including protein translation, glucose and lipid metabolism, and insulin signaling. We recently identified that activating transcription factor 6 (Atf6) is the potential key molecule in the integration between these two pathways. A particular emphasis is placed on the mechanism by which Atf6 connects the UPR and the TOR pathway and thus regulates adiposity and lipid metabolism.
2. Obesity control by microRNAs: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. MiRNAs play essential roles in lipid metabolism and insulin signaling as well as adipose tissue development. We identified multiple miRNAs to control body fat content in Drosophila melanogaster. We are currently investigating their phenotypic details and molecular mechanisms. 

There are research opportunities for undergraduate students who are interested in the cellular and molecular biology research.

Publications

2019, Redmond, W.*, Allen, D.*, Elledge, M.C.*, Arellanes, R.*, Redmond, L.*, Yeahquo, J.*, Zhang, S.*, Youngblood, M. Reiner, A.*, and Seo, J. Screening of microRNAs controlling Body Fat in Drosophila melanogaster and Identification of miR-969 and its target, Gr47b PLOS ONE 14(7): e0219707 (*RSU Undergraduate students)

2018, Allen Dylan*, Seo, J. ER stress activates the TOR pathway through Atf6 J. Molecular Signaling 13(1):1-9 (*RSU Undergraduate student)

2016, Zeve D*, Millay D*. Seo J*, Graff JM, Exercise-induced skeletal muscle adaptations alter the activity of adipose progenitors PLOS ONE 11(3):e0152129.  (* Equal Contribution)

2013, Stenesen, D., Suh, J.M., Seo, J., Yu, K., Lee, K.S., Kim, J.S., Min, K.J., Graff, J.M., Adenosine nucleotide biosynthesis and AMPK regulate adult life span and mediate the longevity benefit of caloric restriction in flies. Cell Metab. 17:101-112

2012, Zeve, D*., Seo, J.*, Suh, JM*., Stenesen, D., Tang, W., Berglund, E., Wan, Y., Williams, L., Lim, A., Martinez, M., Mckay, R., Millay, D., Olson, E., Graff, J. M., Wnt signaling activation in adipose progenitors promotes insulin-independent muscle glucose uptake. Cell Metab.15:492-504 (* Equal Contribution)

2011, Tang, W., Zeve, D., Seo, J., Jo, A., Graff, J. M. Thiazolidinediones regulate adipose lineage dynamics. Cell Metab. 14:116-22

2009, Seo, J., Fortuno III, E., Suh, J.M., Stenesen, D., Tang, W., Townes, T., Parks, E., Adams, C.M., Graff, J.M. Atf4 regulates obesity, glucose homeostasis and energy expenditure. Diabetes, 58:2565-73

2009, Yoshizawa, T., Hinoi, E., Jung, D., Kajimura, D., Ferron, M., Seo, J., Graff, J.M., Kim, J., and Karsenty, G. The transcription factor Atf4 regulates glucose metabolism through its expression in osteoblasts, J. Clin. Invest.119:2807-17

2007, Suh, J.M., Zeve, D., McKay, R., Seo, J., Salo, Z., Li R., Wang, M., and Graff, J. M. Adipose is a conserved dosage-sensitive anti-obesity gene. Cell Metab. 6(3): 195-207

2006, Maitra, U., Seo J., Lozano, M., Dudley, J. Differentiation-induced cleavage of Cutl1/CDP generates a novel dominant-negative isoform that regulates mammary gene expression.  Mol. Cell. Biol. 26(20): 7466-7478

2005, Seo, J., Lozano, M., Dudley, J. Nuclear matrix binding regulates SATB1-mediated transcriptional repression.J. Biol Chem 280(26): 24600-24609

1997, Seo, J., Kim, S.N., Lee, G. R., Kim, S. Y., Park, S. D., Hong, S.H.  Growth inhibition of human ovarian cancer cells by differential modulation of protein kinase A isozymes, Korean J. Biol. Sci. 1: 389-394

1995, Seo, J., Kim, J.S., Hwang, E. S., Lee, J.H., Hong, S.W. Endogenous gene expression of p53 and regulatory subunits of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in ovarian cancer cells, Korean J. Zool. 38: 204-211

Invited Talks           

2020, Skinny Jeans or Skinny Genes: microRNAs controlling body fat, Science and Technology Seminar Series, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK.

2010, Adipose-specific activation -catenin improves glucose metabolism, 8th International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress, Busan, Korea

2008, Atf4 mutant mice are lean, Workshop on the establishment, maintenance, and turnover of fat depots, National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD          

Awards & Honors

• 2016, Faculty Recognition Award for Excellence in Scholarship/ Research Rogers State University
• 2015, Faculty Recognition Award for Excellence in Scholarship/ Research Rogers State University
• 2008, Abstract Hot Topic Award, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• 2001, The Lois Sager-Foxhall Memorial Scholarship Award, University of Texas at Austin