Yoon's laboratory focuses on the molecular regulation of cellular metabolism in metabolic disease using the biochemical approach, cell biology, and signaling and metabolic profiling.

My research topic is 2 parts. First, 1) to develop a metabolic drug for cancer therapy, and 2) to understand the mechanisms of metabolic disease
1) Developing a metabolic drug for cancer therapy
Interestingly, cancer cells have their own favor on metabolites (nutrients). We can characterize the quantitative changes in the metabolites and metabolic pathways using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Using this method, we can find the target metabolites in specific cancer cell types, as well as a new therapeutic strategy focused on the metabolic pathways.

2) Understanding the mechanisms of metabolic disease
Strikingly, despite the importance of lipid metabolism in obesity, which lipid species maintain metabolic homeostasis, and which disrupt essential cellular functions, leading to metabolic disorders remain unknown. I have identified lipids with both beneficial and detrimental roles in skeletal muscle, and my research aims to elucidate their biological and mechanistic function during normal muscle physiology and conditions of dysregulated lipid homeostasis in obesity.

Overall, this research will give a critical and unique insight into how lipid species impact skeletal muscle cell function, and unveil molecular mechanisms through which energy metabolism contributes to metabolic disease. This work will suggest new therapeutic strategies to treat metabolic diseases.