MIN LAB

Min Lab

Systems Biology Laboratory · Department of Microbiology, Pukyong National University

We study how Candida albicans causes disease and resists antifungal drugs, and develop technologies for sustainable agriculture.

ResearchJoin the lab

Abstract dot plot in which blue points form a single curved pattern

Welcome to the Min Lab

The cost of fungal disease

Candida is a leading cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis. In people with weakened immune systems, it can invade the bloodstream and organs, causing life-threatening infections. Antifungal resistance makes these infections harder to treat.

The Min Lab investigates the molecular basis of infection and antifungal resistance, with a focus on Candida. We use multi-omics and genome editing to study Candida morphogenesis and translational regulation, alongside plant nanosensor and mushroom evolution research for sustainable biotechnology.

  • Integrative multi-omics
  • Genome editing
  • Nanotechnology
  • Evolution · AI

Research

Research

We investigate Candida virulence and antifungal resistance, plant stress responses, and mushroom evolution.

01

Candida virulence and antifungal resistance

We investigate the molecular mechanisms that enable Candida to cause infection and resist antifungal drugs. With a focus on the yeast-to-hypha transition, we combine RNA-seq, Ribo-seq, and genome editing to determine how translational regulation shapes the expression of genes involved in virulence and antifungal resistance.

Candida research figure connecting yeast-to-hypha morphogenesis, uORF and alternative isoform regulation, and RNA-seq versus Ribo-seq fold changes

02

Nanosensors for real-time monitoring in plants

Plants release signaling molecules to manage drought, wounds, and disease. We develop nanosensors that detect these stress-related molecules in real time, creating opportunities to mitigate stress and prevent disease while using resources more efficiently.

Detailed microneedle MXene-FET biosensor diagram showing insertion into tomato tissue and real-time ABA-dependent conductance changes

03

Exploring mushroom evolution with AI

By integrating phylogenomic data, morphological images, and ecological information, we develop AI-based models to understand how toxicity, coloration, morphology, and other traits emerged and diversified across fungal lineages.

Detailed convolutional neural network diagram classifying more than 10,000 mushroom images by camouflage, conspicuous coloration, and white coloration

People

People

Kyunghun Min, principal investigator of the Min Lab

Principal Investigator

Kyunghun Min, Ph.D. 민경훈

Assistant Professor · Department of Microbiology · Pukyong National University

k.min@pknu.ac.krGoogle Scholar ↗

Career & education

  • 2025–Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Microbiology, Pukyong National University
  • 2024–2025Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Plant Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University
  • 2022–2024Principal ResearcherDepartment of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University
  • 2016–2022Research ScientistRenaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
  • 2016Visiting ScientistDepartment of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University
  • 2014–2016Postdoctoral AssociateDepartment of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University
  • 2008–2014Ph.D.Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University
  • 2005–2008B.S.Applied Biology, Seoul National University

Lab MembersGraduate Students

  • Seongwon Jang portrait

    Seongwon Jang 장성원

    M.S. student · Department of Microbiology, Pukyong National University

  • Jubin Kim portrait

    Jubin Kim 김주빈

    M.S. student · Department of Microbiology, Pukyong National University

Inside the Lab

Min Lab members in lab coats giving a thumbs-up in the laboratory
A researcher holding a culture dish while another works at a biosafety cabinet
Min Lab researchers gathered at a monitor reviewing observations

Min Lab, 2026

Publications · Research papers · last 10 years

Publications

22* Co-first authors · † Co-corresponding authors

2026

  1. S Bang, D Choi, S Park, S-E Lee, K Min†, S Hong†. In Vivo real-time monitoring of drought stress responses in plants using microneedle field-effect transistor biosensor. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. 451: 139412.

2025

  1. K Min, A Park. Shape-shifting mechanisms: Integrative multi-omics insights into Candida albicans morphogenesis. Mycobiology. 53(2): 250–257.

2024

  1. KA Swenson, K Min, JB Konopka. Candida albicans pathways that protect against organic peroxides and lipid peroxidation. PLoS Genetics. 20(10): e1011455.
  2. J Park, H Jeon, A Hwangbo, K Min, J Ko, J-E Kim, S Kim, JY Shin, Y-H Lee, Y-W Lee, H Son. A winged-helix DNA-binding protein is essential for self-fertility during sexual development of the homothallic fungus Fusarium graminearum. mSphere. 9(9): e0051124.
  3. H Moon*, K Min*, J Winarto, S Shin, H Jeon, DG Song†, H Son†. Proteomic analysis of cell wall proteins with various linkages in Fusarium graminearum. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 72(11): 6028–6039.
  4. H Jeon*, JW Yang*, D Shin, D Min, BJ Kim, K Min†, H Son†. Development of a selective medium for surveillance of Fusarium head blight disease. The Plant Pathology Journal. DOI: 10.5423/PPJ.OA.12.2023.0173.

2023

  1. S Shin, H Jeon, S Kim, HJ Noh, JW Jo, K Min†, H Son†. Two previously unrecorded fungal species isolated from Muui island in Korea. Mycobiology. 51(6): 410–416.
  2. LM Douglas, K Min, JB Konopka. Candida albicans resistance to hypochlorous acid. mBio. e02671-23.
  3. S Kim, R Lee, H Jeon, N Lee, J Park, H Moon, J Shin, K Min, J-E Kim, J-W Yang, H Son. Identification of essential genes for the establishment of spray-induced gene silencing-based disease control in Fusarium graminearum. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 71(49): 19302–19311.
  4. H Jeon, H Son†, K Min†. Detailed protocol to perform direct PCR using filamentous fungal biomass—tips and considerations. Bio-protocol. 13(21): e4889.
  5. J Park, H-H Lee, H Moon, N Lee, S Kim, J-E Kim, Y Lee, K Min, H Kim, GJ Choi, Y-W Lee, Y-S Seo, H Son. A combined transcriptomic and physiological approach to understanding the adaptive mechanisms to cope with oxidative stress in Fusarium graminearum. Microbiology Spectrum. e01485-23.
  6. S Choi, J-W Yang, J-E Kim, H Jeon, S Shin, D Wui, LS Kim, BJ Kim, H Son†, K Min†. Infectivity and stress tolerance traits affect community assembly of plant pathogenic fungi. Frontiers in Microbiology. 14:1234724.
  7. WK Son, YS Choi, YW Han, DU Shin, K Min, J Shin, MJ Lee, H Son, DH Jeong, SY Kwak. In vivo surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanosensor for the real-time plant monitoring of multiple stress-signaling molecules. Nature Nanotechnology. 18:205–216.
  8. H Jeon, J-E Kim, J-W Yang, H Son†, K Min†. Application of direct PCR for phylogenetic analysis of Fusarium fujikuroi species complex isolated from rice seeds. Frontiers in Plant Science. 13:1093688.

2022

  1. N Lee, J Park, JE Kim, JY Shin, K Min, H Son. Genome editing using preassembled CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes in Fusarium graminearum. PLoS ONE. 17(6): e0268855.

2021

  1. K Min, TF Jannace, H Si, KR Veeramah, JD Haley, JB Konopka. Integrative multi-omics profiling reveals cAMP-independent mechanisms regulating hyphal morphogenesis in Candida albicans. PLoS Pathogens. 17(8): e1009861.
  2. LD Bemena, K Min, JB Konopka, AM Neiman. A conserved machinery underlies the synthesis of a chitosan layer in the Candida chlamydospore cell wall. mSphere. 6(2): e00080-21.

2020

  1. K Min, AM Neiman, JB Konopka. Fungal pathogens: Shape-shifting invaders. Trends in Microbiology. 28(11): 922–933.

2019

  1. K Min, S Naseem, JB Konopka. N-acetylglucosamine regulates morphogenesis and virulence pathways in fungi. Journal of Fungi. 6(1):8.

2018

  1. K Min, A Biermann, DA Hogan, JB Konopka. Genetic analysis of NDT80 family transcription factors in Candida albicans using new CRISPR-Cas9 approaches. mSphere. 3(6): e00545-18.

2017

  1. S Naseem*, K Min*, D Spitzer, J Gardin, JB Konopka. Regulation of hyphal growth and N-acetylglucosamine catabolism by two transcription factors in Candida albicans. Genetics. 206(1): 299–314.

2016

  1. K Min, Y Ichikawa, CA Woolford, AP Mitchell. Candida albicans gene deletion with a transient CRISPR-Cas9 system. mSphere. 1(3): e00130-16.

Patents

  1. S Bang, S Hong, K Min. 2025. Microneedle-transistor nanosensor for real-time in vivo monitoring of plant-derived target signaling molecules and method for manufacturing the same. Korea. Patent Application No. 10-2025-0196871 (pending).
  2. Y-W Lee, AR Park, K Min, and H Son. 2012. Gibberella zeae with a deletion of FgFlbA gene and method for overproduction of mycotoxin using thereof. Korea. Patent No. 10-2012-0152584.
  3. Y-W Lee, AR Park, K Min, and H Son. 2012. A mutant substituted on GzGpa2 gene and method for production of mycotoxin using thereof. Korea. Patent No. 10-2012-0152585.

Join

Join the lab

Students interested in pathogenic fungi and biotechnology are welcome to email us.

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Contact

Contact

For research collaborations, student opportunities, and inquiries about the Min Lab, please get in touch by email.

Location

Pukyong National University
45, Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan 48513, South Korea
  • LaboratoryRoom 7417, Building C24Min Lab · Systems Biology Laboratory
  • PI officeRoom 7404, Building C24Kyunghun Min, Ph.D.
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