Sunyoung Hwang, Ph.D.
| Instructor |  |
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| Ph.D.: 2012, POSTECH | ||
| Postdoctoral research: UMass Chan Medical School | ||
| Office: | UMass Chan Medical School 364 Plantation Street, LRB-570-D Worcester, MA 01605 |
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| Phone: | 508-856-4354 | |
| Email: | Sunyoung.Hwang@umassmed.edu | |
Research
My research focuses on identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of aneuploidy (an abnormal number of chromosomes). Recently, I discovered that aneuploid cells have altered sphingolipid metabolism and this effect is linked to serine metabolism. In addition, I found abnormal nuclear morphologies of aneuploid cells that can be improved by the up-regulation of long-chain bases, a type of sphingolipids. My current goals are to understand how lipid synthesis regulates nuclear morphology and cellular fitness, and to understand how the third copy of chromosome 21 causes Down Syndrome in order to develop novel approaches to improve the health of individuals with this condition.