Kiwook Kim
Email Address: kiwook@uic.eduCollege: Medicine Department: Pharmacology
Title: Assistant Professor
Office: COMRB 4143 Phone: 3123558150
Webpage: http://mcph.uic.edu/kim/
Participating in the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes
Research Interest:
Macrophages have been known as an innate myeloid cell populations. As one of immune cell populations, macrophages engulf and digest the non-self materials (e.g. pathogenic-bacteria, virus etc.) This process is called 'phagocytosis'. Once they phagocytose pathogens, macrophages orchestrate the inflammation by secreting inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL1b, IL6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TGF-b, IL10) dependent on the tissue context. Besides these immune functions, macrophages contribute to the tissue-homeostasis by expressing tissue-specific gene expressions. Our group focuses how tissue-resident macrophages obtain tissue-specific gene expression profiles and tissue-specific functions.
We are studying the macrophage-mediated inflammation and tissue repair in lung, peritoneum and gut mesentery.
- The role of lung macrophages in acute lung inflammation
- The role of peritoneal macrophages and mesenteric macrophages in gut inflammation Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 12 Qualifications of a Student:
preferred major: biology-related (such as molecular biology, cell biology, immunology)
We are looking for the students who have strong motivation and have a responsibility for the researches as one of our lab members.
students with lab experiences are not required bu preferred.
students with a plan for Ph.D. study are preferred. Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
Time commitment:
We are expecting students to commit to working in the lab ~10 hours per week and to be able to be in the lab for periods of 3 to 5 hours per day or at least two consecutive days.
Classroom is the priority for a student. But we expect students to be at work on time and to devote work time to work tasks.
Sophomores: We are looking for students who are willing to commit to working in the lab for 2+ years, pending an initial evaluation period.
Juniors need prior research experience in specific research areas (e.g. standard molecular biology techniques like PCR, working with mice).
* Training plan:
Initially, you will learn basic lab techniques and assist with routine maintenance of the lab. You will then choose a specific project to work on that is appropriate for your time commitment, skill set, and research interest.
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