Neural Tissue Engineering
Reproducible workflows for neural cell types, organoids, and assembloids.
About
At HumanX Lab, I lead the biological development of biosensor platforms. I develop end-to-end biological pipelines for scalable and reproducible production using hiPSCs and other cell lines.
My work focuses on building biosensor systems with high-quality, consistency, and reproducibility, with the goal of interfacing them with bioelectronic sensing platforms. I primarily focus on the biological components of these systems.
My background integrates neuroscience, cell biology, advanced imaging, molecular biology, CRISPR-based methods, and upstream bioprocessing. Before joining HumanX Lab, I worked in industry on upstream cell culture and large-scale protein production, and held academic research positions at at Dartmouth studying synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and ion channel regulation.
Research Interests
hiPSC and Cell Line Biology
Scalable biology pipelines across hiPSCs and other cell lines.
Biosensor Biology
Cell preparation for integration into MEA platforms for stimulation, sensing, and processing.
Synaptic Physiology
Mechanisms of synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity.
Fluorescence Imaging
Calcium imaging, voltage imaging, confocal microscopy, and live-cell imaging.
Molecular and Cellular Engineering
CRISPR, molecular cloning, quantitative assays, and cell-based workflow design.
Experience
Research Scientist
Leading the design and optimization of biological pipelines for biosensor-ready, cell-based systems, with a focus on reproducibility, production-grade quality, and consistency.
Research Scientist
Investigated synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and related neuroscience research using imaging and molecular biology approaches.
Scientist, High-Throughput Expression
Worked on upstream cell culture, stable mammalian cell line generation, and large-scale antigen and antibody production.
Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Scientist
Studied synaptic transmission and ion channel regulation using imaging, electrophysiology-adjacent optical methods, and molecular perturbation tools.
Postdoctoral Associate
Investigated neurodegeneration-related synapse loss mechanisms and developed lentiviral and antibody-based workflows.
Selected Publications
2022
Panzera LC, Johnson B, Quinn JA, Cho IH, Tamkun MM, Hoppa MB. Activity-dependent endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake depends on Kv2.1-mediated ER/PM junctions to promote synaptic transmission. PNAS.
2020
Cho IH, Panzera LC, Chin M, Alpizar SA, Olveda GE, Hill RA, Hoppa MB. The potassium channel subunit Kvbeta1 serves as a major control point for synaptic facilitation. PNAS.
2019
Alpizar SA, Cho IH, Hoppa MB. Subcellular control of membrane excitability in the axon. Current Opinion in Neurobiology.
2017
Cho IH, Panzera LC, Chin M, Hoppa MB. Sodium channel beta2 subunits prevent action potential propagation failures at axonal branch points. Journal of Neuroscience.
2013
Cho IH, Lee MJ, Kim DH, Kim B, Bae J, Choi KY, Kim SM, Huh YH, Kim CH, Song WK. SPIN90 dephosphorylation is required for cofilin-mediated actin depolymerization in NMDA-stimulated hippocampal neurons. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences.
Communication and Leadership
Mentored undergraduate and graduate researchers and co-mentored participants in the Women in Science Program.
Co-lectured advanced neuroscience courses.
Presented research at national and international meetings and contributed to NIH, AES, and NARSAD grant proposals.
Languages: Korean (fluent), English (fluent, second language).
Awards and Honors
Faculty of 1000 Prime Article Recommendations, 2016.
Honorary Award, Ministry of Science, Korea, 2014.
Global University Project Scholarship, 2013.
High Quality Paper Award, GIST, 2013.
Best Poster and Oral Presentation Awards, Korean Society for Cell Biology, 2010-2011.
Selected Oral Presentation
The action potential as a modulator of synaptic facilitation. 10th Annual Neuroscience, Behavior and Health Research Forum, University of Vermont, 2020.