Dr. Seong-Jun Kang is a distinguished Immunologist and Biomedical Data Scientist with a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, specializing in multiplexed protein and RNA measurement at single-cell and in situ scales. Adept at developing deep-learning multimodal integration models and custom bioinformatics pipelines, he has successfully secured over $1.3M in industry research funding. His expertise drives innovative analytical approaches to complex biological data, particularly in neuro-immune interactions and atlas-scale single-cell analysis, positioning him to excel in advanced research roles.
Work
Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine
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Researcher (postdoctoral)
Wonju, Gangwon-do, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Developed advanced deep-learning multimodal-integration models, effectively fusing imaging, transcriptomic, and clinical data into single predictive models within the Dept. of Physiology / Organelle Medicine Research Center.
Highlights
Developed cutting-edge deep-learning multimodal-integration models, successfully fusing imaging, transcriptomic, and clinical data to create single, highly accurate predictive models.
PB Immune Therapeutics Inc.
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Associate Director
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Led cross-functional multi-omic studies and regulatory documentation while building in-house single-cell and spatial transcriptomics analysis code from scratch in the Dept. of Basic Research.
Highlights
Built comprehensive in-house single-cell and spatial transcriptomics analysis code from scratch, significantly enhancing internal data processing capabilities.
Led cross-functional NHP (cynomolgus, marmoset) EAE/multiple-sclerosis multi-omic studies, advancing understanding of complex neurological diseases.
Oversaw critical regulatory documentation for an anti-CD40 humanized-antibody program, ensuring compliance and accelerating therapeutic development.
PB Immune Therapeutics Inc.
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Manager
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Managed basic research activities within the Department of Basic Research, contributing to strategic scientific initiatives and team coordination.
Highlights
Directed research projects focused on immune therapeutics, ensuring alignment with strategic company goals and scientific priorities.
Coordinated cross-functional teams in basic research, fostering collaboration and accelerating scientific discovery efforts.
Implemented efficient laboratory protocols and managed resources, improving research workflow and data quality.
SCAID, Single Cell Atlas of Immune Diseases, Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University
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Research Student
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Contributed to the founding proposal and execution of the Single Cell Atlas of Immune Diseases program, coordinating multi-site QC and multi-PI efforts.
Highlights
Contributed significantly to the founding proposal for the SCAID program, which secured funding for analyzing 700+ donors across 8 organs.
Executed key program milestones, including multi-site QC and multi-PI coordination, ensuring high data quality and project coherence across collaborators.
Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University
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Researcher
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Summary
Conducted rhesus macaque tissue processing, longitudinal immune monitoring, and CNS tissue handling for immunological analysis in xenotransplantation studies.
Highlights
Processed rhesus macaque tissue with high precision, ensuring sample integrity for advanced immunological analyses.
Performed longitudinal immune monitoring, generating critical data for understanding immune responses in xenotransplantation models.
Assisted faculty in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, supporting educational delivery and research activities.
Highlights
Supported faculty in delivering microbiology and immunology coursework, enhancing student understanding and engagement.
Assisted with laboratory sessions and practical demonstrations, ensuring effective skill development for over 100 students annually.
Education
Seoul National University
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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Ph.D.Biomedical Sciences
Seoul National University
Seoul, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)
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M.S.Biomedical Sciences
Sungkyunkwan University
Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (Republic of)
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B.S.Genetic Engineering
Awards
Grand Prize
2024 GPTers AI Hackathon (Project GAIA Team)
Awarded for outstanding innovation and achievement in the GPTers AI Hackathon.
Grand Prize
SBA Smart Workathon (Work Process Innovation)
Recognized for excellence in work process innovation during the SBA Smart Workathon.
Best Poster Award
American Transplant Congress, Chicago
Received for exceptional poster presentation at the American Transplant Congress.
Best Presentation Award
Korean Association of Immunologists
Honored for delivering an outstanding presentation at the Korean Association of Immunologists conference.
Publications
Mycosis Fungoides-like Atopic Dermatitis Represents a Th22-dominant Inflammatory Endotype.
Allergy
Performed the scRNA-seq & scTCR-seq analysis (scVI cross-dataset integration with public MF/AD cohorts, InferCNV genomic-identity inference, scTCR clonality). Showed mfAD is a reactive, oligoclonal Th22 endotype rather than a malignancy, responsive to JAK1 inhibition. 248,881 cells.
In-vivo base editing of ACTA2 R179H restores lymphatic function and immune cell homeostasis in a murine model of Multisystemic Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome (MSMDS).
Manuscript in preparation
Co-author (immunology). Performed the plasma proteomics analysis (Olink immune & neurology panels across the largest MSMDS patient cohort to date, n = 12 patients vs 6 controls), revealing broad down-regulation of lymphoid regulators (LTBR, BAFF) and leukocyte-adhesion molecules, with dimensionality reduction separating patients from controls; complemented by flow-cytometry immunophenotyping of lymph-node leukocytes (germinal-center B cells GL7+B220+) linking impaired lymphatic contractility to germinal-center loss and systemic immune dysregulation.
Conserved PDE4D short-isoform bias defines pathogenic Th1.17 state across human inflammatory diseases.
Nature Immunology
First author (co-first). Built custom UMI-aware, BAM-level analysis code (Python) that resolves PDE4D short- vs long-isoform identity from 5' scRNA-seq; consensus NMF programs; scRNA + scTCR + snATAC integration; disease-state ML classifier (AUC 0.78); cross-disease meta-analysis across the SCAID atlas (702 samples, 23 conditions). 251,055 memory CD4+ T cells.
Deciphering Dysfunctional Regulatory T Cells in Atopic Dermatitis.
Allergy
First author (co-first). Single-cell and functional dissection of dysfunctional skin-homing (CLA+) regulatory T cells in atopic dermatitis; OX40 (TNFRSF4) up-regulated alongside impaired suppressive function.
Immune cell-enriched single-cell RNA sequencing unveils the interplay between infiltrated CD8+ T resident memory cells and choroid plexus epithelial cells in Alzheimer's disease.
Journal of Neuroimmunology
First author (co-first). Built the complete brain-immune single-cell analysis path (whole-brain harvest → enzymatic digestion → Percoll enrichment → FACS → 10x → analysis); identified exhausted CD8+ tissue-resident memory T cells engaging choroid-plexus epithelium (↑ MHC-I and interferon-stimulated genes) at the blood-CSF barrier. 11,587 cells, 10 immune populations.
High-dimensional profiling of regulatory T cells in psoriasis reveals an impaired skin-trafficking property.
eBioMedicine
Co-author. High-dimensional immune profiling of regulatory T cells in psoriasis, revealing an impaired skin-trafficking phenotype.
Long-term control of diabetes by tofacitinib-based immunosuppressive regimen after allo-islet transplantation in diabetic rhesus monkeys that rejected previously transplanted porcine islets.
Xenotransplantation
First author (co-first). Long-term diabetes control with a tofacitinib-based regimen after allo-islet transplantation in rhesus macaques; longitudinal immune monitoring.
Intra-tumoral heterogeneity and immune escape of melanoma arising from congenital melanocytic nevus revealed by spatial gene expression profiling.
JEADV
First author (co-first). Spatial gene-expression profiling of nevus-arising melanoma; depth-dependent intra-tumoral heterogeneity and immune escape.
JAK3 inhibitor-based immunosuppression in allogeneic islet transplantation in cynomolgus monkeys.
Islets
First author (co-first). JAK3-inhibitor-based immunosuppression in allogeneic islet transplantation in cynomolgus macaques.
Atlas-scale single-cell analysis across diseases and species
Large multi-donor atlases (SCAID), Cross-disease meta-analysis, NHP-to-human translation.
References
Chung-Gyu Park, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Microbiology & Immunology / Biomedical Sciences, SNU College of Medicine; CEO/CSO, PB Immune Therapeutics; chgpark@snu.ac.kr; Ph.D. advisor.
Hyun Je Kim, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Immunology / Biomedical Sciences; Interdisciplinary Program in Artificial Intelligence (IPAI), SNU; tte9801@snu.ac.kr; Co-corresponding on PDE4D & mfAD studies, computational / single-cell.
Seung-Kuy Cha, Ph.D.
Professor, Dept. of Physiology & Global Medical Science, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine; skcha@yonsei.ac.kr; Most recent research supervisor (2025-2026).
Jeong Seok Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Medical Science & Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon; chemami@kaist.ac.kr; Corresponding author, PDE4D / Nature Immunology study.
Projects
Establishing a meta-platform for discovering molecular targets by building a multi-layered immune-disease single-cell map (A9-22-1-05; SCAID, Single-cell Atlas for Immunological Disease)
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Summary
Participated in proposal writing (over 30% contribution) for a large-scale project establishing a meta-platform for discovering molecular targets through a multi-layered immune-disease single-cell map, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).
Fundamental therapeutic strategy for immune-mediated diseases using engineered Tregs (PB20X_Treg)
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Summary
Contributed to the proposal and study design (approximately 50%) for developing a fundamental therapeutic strategy for immune-mediated diseases using engineered Tregs, funded by NAVER Corporation.
Evaluation of drug efficacy and discovery of pharmacodynamic biomarkers of a new anti-CD40 antibody lead compound (PB101) for the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris
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Summary
Served as the lead proposal writer (over 90% contribution) and oversaw execution for a project evaluating a new anti-CD40 antibody for pemphigus vulgaris, funded by Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF).
Scale-up Funding for Tech Commercialization
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Summary
Acted as the lead proposal writer and managed over 90% of the execution for scale-up funding aimed at tech commercialization, supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS).
Lead selection and optimization of a therapeutic anti-CD40 antibody for the treatment of multiple sclerosis
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Summary
Led proposal writing (over 90% contribution) and execution for a project focused on the selection and optimization of a therapeutic anti-CD40 antibody for multiple sclerosis, funded by Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF).
Early-stage startup R&D: anti-CD40 biologic (PB-40N) to prevent anti-drug antibodies
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Summary
Contributed as a lead proposal writer and core researcher for an early-stage startup R&D project on an anti-CD40 biologic (PB-40N) to prevent anti-drug antibodies, funded by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS).
Laboratory-Specialized Tech-Transfer & R&BD Grant
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Summary
Contributed to grant writing, experimental design, and technical validation for a laboratory-specialized tech-transfer and R&BD grant, funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) & Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).