Research Associate At University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,United States.
Dr. Minguk Jo is a Research Associate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in immune sensing and tumor biology. His research focuses on the mechanisms of innate immune sensing, particularly the cGAS-STING pathway, and its role in cancer development and genomic stability. Dr. Jo has made significant contributions to understanding immune regulation in tumorigenesis, with several publications in high-impact journals. He has been honored with the Best Researcher Award in recognition of his outstanding work in the field. His dedication to advancing cancer immunology continues to drive innovative research at UNC Chapel Hill.
Profile:
🎓 Education
Dr. Minguk Jo holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Ajou University School of Medicine, South Korea, where he completed his doctoral studies in August 2017. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Life Science from Silla University, Busan, completed in February 2010. During his undergraduate years, he actively engaged in research as an undergraduate student researcher and served as the Biological Sciences Student Council President, showcasing his early leadership and scientific curiosity. He also completed mandatory military service as a military police officer in South Korea, reflecting his discipline and commitment. Additionally, Dr. Jo broadened his academic experience with an exchange scholarship at the University of St. La Salle in 2009.
🧑🔬 Professional Experience
Dr. Jo is currently serving as a Research Associate at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), a role he began in October 2024. Prior to this, he was a Postdoctoral Associate at LCCC (2020–2024) under the mentorship of Dr. Gaorav P. Gupta, where he made significant contributions to DNA damage response research. Earlier, from 2018 to 2020, he worked as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, in the lab of Dr. Glen N. Barber, specializing in innate immune responses. His professional career also includes a Research Associate role at Ajou University (2017–2018), where he contributed to molecular biology research and served as a Teaching Assistant for laboratory courses in 2016 and 2017. His leadership extended into mentoring, having supervised multiple Ph.D. students, postdocs, and undergraduate researchers throughout his career.
🛠️ Skills and Expertise
Dr. Jo’s research expertise lies at the intersection of DNA damage response, innate immunity, chromatin dynamics, and cancer biology. He is particularly skilled in dissecting the molecular mechanisms of the cGAS-STING pathway, exploring how DNA damage sensing translates into immune activation — a critical avenue for therapeutic development in oncology. His technical competencies span cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, DNA repair assays, immune signaling, and translational cancer research. He is also experienced in academic mentoring, grant writing, and scientific communication, as evidenced by his roles in teaching, student supervision, and active participation in scientific societies.
🏆 Honors and Awards
Dr. Jo has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. Most notably, he secured the NIH/NCI K22 Career Development Award (2026–2029) with an exceptional score of 18, underscoring his promising trajectory as an independent investigator. His other accolades include the FAOBMB Travel Award (2025), the Joseph S. Pagano Award (2024), and the James A. Raleigh Award for Excellence in Biology Research (2023) at UNC-CH. He was also a recipient of the Young Scientist Award (2017) from the Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology and an EMBO Travel Grant awardee for his oral presentation on redox biology. His consistent academic excellence is further highlighted by multiple Dean’s Honor Scholarships and early career travel awards, including recognition by the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB).
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Jo’s research is centered on understanding the mechanisms of MRE11-mediated cGAS activation in DNA sensing, particularly within the context of cancer. His NIH/NCI-funded project aims to unravel how MRE11 facilitates the release and activation of cGAS, promoting immune responses against DNA-damaged cells — a process critical for anti-cancer immunity. His broader research scope covers the regulation of chromosomal stability, DNA repair pathways, and the cross-talk between genome integrity and innate immunity. With over a dozen peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals like Nature, Molecular Cell, and DNA Repair, Dr. Jo continues to push the frontiers of translational cancer research. His work not only deepens our molecular understanding but also paves the way for innovative therapeutic strategies targeting immune responses in cancer.
Publication Top Notes
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The cGAS/STING/TBK1/IRF3 innate immunity pathway maintains chromosomal stability through regulation of p21 levels
A Basit, MG Cho, EY Kim, D Kwon, SJ Kang, JH Lee
Experimental & Molecular Medicine 52 (4), 643-657
Citations: 106
Year: 2020
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MRE11 liberates cGAS from nucleosome sequestration during tumorigenesis
MG Cho, RJ Kumar, CC Lin, JA Boyer, JA Shahir, K Fagan-Solis, …
Nature 625 (7995), 585-592
Citations: 70
Year: 2024
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Dual inhibition of DNA-PK and DNA polymerase theta overcomes radiation resistance induced by p53 deficiency
RJ Kumar, HX Chao, DA Simpson, W Feng, MG Cho, VR Roberts, …
NAR Cancer 2 (4), zcaa038
Citations: 27
Year: 2020
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ATP depletion during mitotic arrest induces mitotic slippage and APC/C^Cdh1-dependent cyclin B1 degradation
YY Park, JH Ahn, MG Cho, JH Lee
Experimental & Molecular Medicine 50 (4), 1-14
Citations: 26
Year: 2018
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A putative pH-dependent nuclear localization signal in the juxtamembrane region of c-Met
SC Chaudhary, MG Cho, TT Nguyen, KS Park, MH Kwon, JH Lee
Experimental & Molecular Medicine 46 (10), e119-e119
Citations: 17
Year: 2014
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DNA double-strand breaks and Aurora B mislocalization induced by exposure of early mitotic cells to H2O2 appear to increase chromatin bridges and resultant cytokinesis failure
MG Cho, JH Ahn, HS Choi, JH Lee
Free Radical Biology and Medicine 108, 129-145
Citations: 15
Year: 2017
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Inhibition of PP2A activity by H2O2 during mitosis disrupts nuclear envelope reassembly and alters nuclear shape
JH Ahn, MG Cho, S Sohn, JH Lee
Experimental & Molecular Medicine 51 (6), 1-18
Citations: 12
Year: 2019
Conclusion
trong Candidate for a “Best Researcher Award”, particularly in Early-Career or Young Investigator categories.With his momentum in securing competitive funding, high-impact publications, and growing leadership in research, Dr. Minguk Jo demonstrates clear potential for long-term excellence in biomedical research. Continuous growth in independent leadership roles and broader scientific contributions will only strengthen his future candidacy.