Professor
UT
Research
My research focuses on the biological functions of various neuropeptide-encoding genes and their neurons in the central nervous system of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. In particular, we are interested in neuronal architecture and functions in the regulation of biological rhythms, feeding and metabolism. Other areas of research involve molecular mechanisms of neuropeptide gene regulation, and genetic and molecular basis of neuronal apoptosis during metamorphic changes of central nervous system. Technically, we routinely carry out molecular cloning works, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, transformation, conventional fly genetics, and behavior assays. My research program has been supported by NSF and NIH.
Education
- Ph.D. Texas A&M University
Publications
Bahn JH, Lee G, Park JH. (2009) Comparative analysis of Pdf-mediated circadian behaviors between D. melanogaster and D. virilis. Genetics 131:965-975.
Lee G, Kim K-M, Keiko K, Wang Z, Choi Y-J, Park JH. (2008) Developmental regulation and functions of the expression of the neuropeptide corazonin in Drosophila melanogaster. Cell Tissue Res. 331: 659-673.
Choi S-H, Lee G, Monahan P, Park JH. (2008) Spatial regulation of Corazonin neuropeptide expression requires multiple cis-acting elements in Drosophila melanogaster. J. Comp. Neurol. 507: 1184-1195.
Lee G, Bahn JH, Park JH. (2006) Sex- and clock-controlled expression of the neuropeptide F gene in Drosophila. PNAS 103: 12580-12585.
Choi Y-J, Lee G, Park JH. (2006) Programmed cell death mechanisms of identifiable peptidergic neurons in Drosophila melanogaster. Development 133: 2223-2232.
Lee G, Park JH. (2004) Hemolymph sugar homeostasis and starvation-induced hyperactivity affected by genetic manipulations of the Adipokinetic hormone-encoding gene in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 167: 311-323.
Renn SCP*, Park JH*, Rosbash M, Hall JC, Taghert PH. (1999) A pdf neuropeptide gene mutation and ablation of PDF neurons each cause severe abnormalities of behavioral circadian rhythms in Drosophila. Cell 99: 791-802. (*co-first author).