About Institute for Basic Science (IBS)
Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Republic of Korea, is a government-funded research institute established in 2011 to promote excellence in fundamental research across a broad range of scientific disciplines. IBS supports long-term, curiosity-driven research and fosters an environment where scientists can pursue ambitious and innovative ideas.
Within the IBS Headquarters in Daejeon, the Science City of Korea, Life Science Cluster encompasses research centers dedicated to understanding the fundamental principles of life sciences. Our laboratory is part of Center for Memory and Glioscience (CMG), formerly known as Center for Cognition and Sociality (CCS), within Life Science Cluster, IBS. CMG is jointly directed by C. Justin Lee and Bong-Kiun Kaang and brings together Principal Investigators (PIs) and Young Scientist Fellows (YSFs) with expertise spanning molecular and cellular neuroscience, glial biology, systems neuroscience, Brain-inspired AI, and related fields.
Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration, CMG aims to advance our understanding of brain function, memory, cognition, and neurological disorders.
ABCD Lab. Research Directions
We study how astrocytes shape the developing brain and investigate the biological
mechanisms that influence cognition, behavior, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Our research bridges glial biology, developmental neuroscience, and translational
research to uncover fundamental principles governing brain development.
Astrocytes
Astrocytes play fundamental roles in shaping the developing brain and regulating the cellular processes that drive neural circuit formation, cognition, and behavior. Our research seeks to understand how astrocytes coordinate these developmental programs throughout early life and across different stages of brain maturation.
Using multidisciplinary approaches spanning molecular biology, circuit neuroscience, and behavioral analysis, we aim to uncover fundamental astrocyte-dependent mechanisms that govern brain development.
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder arise from disruptions in brain development, yet their underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. While most research has traditionally focused on neurons, we investigate how astrocyte dysfunction contributes to disease vulnerability and abnormal developmental trajectories.
Through this astrocyte-centered approach, we seek to redefine how developmental brain disorders are understood and uncover new therapeutic possibilities.
Maternal care and attachment
Brain development is profoundly shaped by early-life experiences, with maternal care serving as one of the most powerful environmental signals during development. We investigate how maternal interactions influence astrocyte biology and how these developmental signals regulate neural circuit maturation throughout early life.
Our research aims to understand how early environmental experiences program brain development through astrocyte-dependent mechanisms and influence long-term developmental trajectories.
Collaborations
We believe that solving complex questions in brain development requires interdisciplinary collaboration across multiple fields of science. Our lab actively collaborates with researchers across neuroscience, developmental biology, genetics, immunology, and translational medicine both within the Institute for Basic Science and internationally.
Through these collaborations, we seek to advance innovative research and uncover new principles governing brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Research Support / Grants
IBS Center for Memory and Glioscience (IBS-R001-D2)
Role of Astrocytes in Brain and Cognition Development
IBS Young Scientist Fellowship (IBS-R001-Y1)
Role of Glia in Maternal Attachment and Sociality Development