Johns Hopkins University · NeuroscienceYoo Lab
Seung-Wan Yoo · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
The lab of Dr. Seung-Wan Yoo at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding the interactions between HIV and methamphetamine use, and how these lead to increased neuroinflammation and cognitive impairments. By using advanced models like iPSC-derived microglia and humanized mice, the lab investigates the molecular mechanisms involved, particularly the role of a protein called MECOM. The ultimate goal is to identify potential therapeutic targets that can help mitigate neurological issues faced by individuals living with HIV and substance use disorders.
HIVmethamphetamineneuroinflammationmicrogliaMECOMneurological complicationssubstance use disordersproteomicstranscriptomicshuman-based models
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how methamphetamine alters immune signaling in HIV-infected microglia.
AIM 02Identify key molecular regulators of neuroinflammation caused by HIV and substance use.
AIM 03Study the role of MECOM in microglial reprogramming under HIV and methamphetamine co-exposure.
AIM 04Evaluate the functional consequences of MECOM deletion in human-derived models.
AIM 05Explore potential therapeutic targets to reduce neurological complications in individuals with HIV.
Skills the Lab Values
iPSC culturemicroglia isolationhumanized mouse modelsmulti-omics analysisRNA sequencingproteomics techniquescellular stress assessmentcytokine analysisin vitro functional assaysbiological modeling
Output against the department
Publications26bottom 4% of dept.640th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.0kbottom 5% of dept.635th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.