Yong-Soo Bae | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Yong-Soo Bae | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Yong-Soo Bae | Sungkyunkwan University | South Korea

Dr. Yong-Soo Bae is a distinguished immunologist and professor at the Department of Biological Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Korea. He currently serves as the Director of the SRC Center for Immune Research on Non-lymphoid Organs (CIRNOS). With over three decades of academic, clinical, and industry experience, Dr. Bae is internationally recognized for his pioneering research in immunology, virology, and vaccine development. His multidisciplinary contributions span academia, biotech innovation (as CEO/CTO of JW Creagene Inc.), and scientific leadership, including organizing global conferences and serving as editor-in-chief and president in numerous societies. His work focuses on immune modulation, cancer immunotherapy, and mucosal vaccines, which has led to influential publications in prestigious journals like Nature Communications, Science Advances, and Advanced Materials. Dr. Bae’s career reflects a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and education, making him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award

  1. Pioneering Research Leadership
    Dr. Bae has led groundbreaking research in immunology, particularly in immune regulation of non-lymphoid organs, vaccine development, and cancer immunotherapy. His leadership of the Center for Immune Research on Non-lymphoid Organs (CIRNOS) demonstrates his national influence in immune research.

  2. Extensive Scientific Contributions
    With over 18 high-impact publications in the past 3–4 years alone, including in top-tier journals like Nature Communications, Molecular Therapy, Science Advances, and Advanced Materials, Dr. Bae continues to push the boundaries of translational immunology and personalized medicine.

  3. International & Interdisciplinary Experience
    His training at Harvard Medical School, his professorships across Korean institutions, and leadership at JW Creagene Inc. showcase both academic and industrial impact.

  4. Scientific Community Engagement
    Roles such as Editor-in-Chief, society president, and organizer of global conferences (e.g., DC2012) reflect his commitment to advancing scientific dialogue and collaboration.

  5. Mentorship and Institutional Development
    Dr. Bae has contributed significantly to capacity building in Korea’s biomedical research landscape, mentoring junior scientists and shaping departmental growth.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Global Collaboration Visibility
    While his work is highly impactful in Korea and Asia, more joint publications with global institutions (e.g., NIH, Oxford, Karolinska) could further enhance international research influence.

  2. Patent and Commercial Output Reporting
    As former CEO/CTO of JW Creagene, elaborating on patented innovations or therapeutic products brought to market would strengthen the case for translational impact.

  3. Formal Recognition or Awards
    Inclusion of formal honors (e.g., national science medals, international society awards) would help quantify his recognition outside Korea.

  4. Consistent Author Disambiguation
    In some publications, author names appear as “Y.S. Bae” or “Yong-soo Bae.” Consistent use of a standardized author name across indexing platforms would help centralize his citation metrics and scholarly footprint.

 

🎓 Education:

Dr. Yong-Soo Bae’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Microbiology from Seoul National University in 1981 and 1983, respectively. His foundational training in microbiology laid the groundwork for his research trajectory in infectious disease and immunology. He earned his Ph.D. in 1990 from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in the Virology Division of the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine. His doctoral research was crucial in shaping his interest in host-pathogen interactions and immune regulation. Dr. Bae’s international education experience has enabled him to blend Western and Eastern biomedical research paradigms, contributing to his ability to lead collaborative global projects and initiatives in immunotherapy and vaccine innovation.

💼 Experience:

Dr. Yong-Soo Bae’s professional career spans academia, research, and biotech leadership. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School (1991–1993), which enriched his expertise in cancer immunology. He held professorial roles at Hannam University (1993–2003) before joining Sungkyunkwan University in 2004, where he later became Department Chair and Distinguished Professor. Dr. Bae also served as Director of CIRNOS (2017–2024) and led JW Creagene Inc. as CEO/CTO (1998–2015), bridging science and industry. His editorial and leadership roles include Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Bacteriology and Virology, President of the Korean Society of Virology, and Vice President of the Korean Vaccine Society. His diverse roles demonstrate a unique blend of academic excellence, organizational leadership, and translational research expertise.

🔍 Research Focus:

Dr. Yong-Soo Bae’s research focuses on innate and adaptive immune regulation, tumor immunology, mucosal immunotherapy, and vaccine delivery. He investigates cellular interactions in the immune microenvironment, with particular attention to innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), neutrophils, and dendritic cells. His translational work includes novel vaccine platforms, epitranscriptomics, immune checkpoint modulation (e.g., CISH, PD-1), and cell therapy for diseases such as asthma, leukemia, and cancer. He also explores microbiome-immune crosstalk and inflammation-related organ damage (e.g., renal fibrosis, lung inflammation). His group has published extensively on m6A modifiers, microRNAs, and innovative delivery systems like gel-to-nanovaccines. His latest studies dive into immunometabolism and the interplay between immune cells and tissue repair, offering groundbreaking insights for future immunotherapies. Dr. Bae’s work is highly cited and remains at the forefront of immune system-based therapeutic innovation.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 📘 Therapeutic Potential of microRNA Against Th2-associated Immune Disorders – Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry (2021)

  2. 💉 COVID-19 Vaccines and Oral-Mucosal Vector System as a Potential Vaccine Platform – Vaccines (2021)

  3. 🧬 Immunotherapeutic Potential of m6A-Modifiers and microRNAs in AML – Biomedicines (2021)

  4. 🎯 Epitranscriptomic Approach to Improve ICB Therapy by Targeting CISH – Cells (2021)

  5. 🧫 TFH-B-TRM Dysregulation and Anti-PD-1 Responses in EGFR-mutant Lung Cancer – Nature Communications (2021)

  6. 🧪 Adenoviral CD200R-Ig Enhances Antitumor Immunity via M2 Macrophage Inhibition – Molecular Therapy

  7. 🌫 Air Pollutant-induced Neutrophils Worsen Airway Inflammation – JACI (2021)

  8. 🦠 NCR+ILC3s and the Microbiome in Asthma Severity – Immune Network (2021)

  9. 📖 Advances in Personalized Therapy for AML by Targeting Intracellular Checkpoints – eBook Chapter (2021)

  10. 🧵 Siglec-F Neutrophils Drive Fibrosis in Renal Disease – JCI (2022)

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Yong-Soo Bae is an exceptional and highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His contributions over four decades span foundational research, translational innovation, academic leadership, and scientific diplomacy. The depth of his scientific output, particularly in immunology, epigenetics, and vaccine development, is matched by his long-term commitment to mentoring, editorial work, and building research institutions in Korea.While enhancing his global recognition and expanding international collaborative outputs could further elevate his status, Dr. Bae’s consistent high-impact contributions, research leadership, and policy involvement clearly position him as a top-tier researcher in the life sciences.

Guangxun Meng | Cancer Immunology | Cancer Cell Biology Award

Prof. Guangxun Meng | Cancer Immunology | Cancer Cell Biology Award

Prof. Guangxun Meng , Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences , China

Guangxun Meng is the Lab Chief of the Innate Immunity Lab at the Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, CAS, China. He specializes in mucosal immunology and inflammasome research, with a focus on barrier organs such as the gut, lung, and skin. His work is instrumental in understanding viral infections, inflammation, and cancer, particularly within the respiratory system and gut. With numerous high-impact publications, Guangxun’s contributions to immunology have significantly advanced understanding in innate immunity and the inflammasome’s role in disease. His ongoing research projects include exploring novel therapeutics for cancer suppression and viral infections.

Publication Profile:

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award:

Dr. Guangxun Meng has made substantial contributions to the fields of mucosal immunology, inflammation, and cancer, particularly through his work on the inflammasome and innate immunity. His research has been pivotal in understanding the roles of NLRP3 and IL-18 in immune responses and cancer suppression. Dr. Meng’s work has led to significant advancements, such as the discovery of short IL-18 and its mobilization of NK cells to suppress tumor growth. His innovative work, which links microbiota, inflammasomes, and viral immunity, has been published in prestigious journals like Nature Immunology and Nature Communications. The breadth of his patents, including those targeting viral infections, further highlights his innovative contributions to the field.

Areas for Improvement:

While Dr. Meng’s research has made significant strides in understanding immune responses in cancer, further investigation into the therapeutic applications of his findings would be beneficial. Expanding collaborations with clinical researchers could bridge the gap between basic science and clinical oncology, potentially leading to novel treatment options.

Education:

Guangxun Meng earned his advanced degrees at leading institutions, where he developed a strong foundation in immunology and molecular biology. He completed his postdoctoral training in immunology and infectious diseases, deepening his understanding of immune responses to viral infections and their regulation in mucosal tissues. Throughout his career, he has focused on integrating experimental immunology with clinical insights to discover new therapeutic strategies, making him a prominent figure in his field.

Experience:

Guangxun Meng’s extensive research experience spans key roles in both academia and collaborative projects with the biotech industry. As Lab Chief at the Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, he leads a team focused on understanding the mechanisms of mucosal immunity and inflammation. His research spans multiple areas, including cancer immunotherapy, viral infections, and the inflammasome’s role in diseases like sepsis. Over the years, Guangxun has worked with leading immunologists worldwide, contributing significantly to research on innate immunity, microbial interactions, and cancer biology.

Awards and Honors:

Guangxun Meng has received numerous accolades throughout his career for his groundbreaking contributions to immunology and cancer research. He is a respected member of several prestigious scientific societies, including the Society for Mucosal Immunology and the American Association of Immunologists. His work has led to significant advances in the fields of inflammation and viral infections, and his lab continues to receive recognition for the potential clinical applications of its research. His contributions to immunology have made him a leading expert in the study of inflammasomes and mucosal immunity.

Research Focus:

Guangxun Meng’s primary research focuses on mucosal immunology, inflammasome activation, and innate immunity. His work investigates the immune responses in barrier organs like the gut, skin, and lungs, particularly in relation to viral infections, inflammation, and cancer. He is exploring the therapeutic potential of novel molecules like short IL-18 and the role of microbiota-derived metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, in immune modulation. His lab’s research also includes the development of new strategies to target inflammasome activation and improve responses to infections and cancer.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. Short IL-18 generated by caspase-3 cleavage mobilizes NK cells to suppress tumor growthNature Immunology 📄
  2. Interleukin-1 prevents SARS-CoV-2-induced membrane fusion to restrict viral transmissioneLife 🦠
  3. Anti-influenza activity of CPAVM1 protease secreted by Bacillus subtilis LjM2Antiviral Res. 💊
  4. Antibody-mediated spike activation promotes cell-cell transmission of SARS-CoV-2PLoS Pathogens 🧪
  5. cFLIPS regulates alternative NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human monocytesCell Mol Immunol 💡
  6. TRAF6-TAK1-IKKβ pathway mediates TLR2 agonists activating “one-step” NLRP3 inflammasomeCytokine 🔬
  7. TAK1 Deficiency in Macrophages Increases Host Susceptibility to Leishmania InfectionInfectious Microbes & Diseases 🦠
  8. Function of NLRP3 in Anti-influenza Viral InfectionViruses 🦠
  9. Microbiota-derived acetate enhances host antiviral response via NLRP3Nature Communications 🌿
  10. SARS-CoV-2 spike engagement of ACE2 primes S2’site cleavage and fusion initiationProc Natl Acad Sci USA 🦠

Conclusion:

Dr. Guangxun Meng is highly deserving of the Research for Cancer Cell Biology Award. His pioneering work in immunology, inflammasomes, and cancer biology represents a critical contribution to the understanding of immune responses in cancer. His research promises to have significant implications for both cancer therapy and infectious disease control.