Insung Kang, PhD

Feb 2024 - Feb 2025

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine,  

- I utilized a robotic platform to develop a large-scale, high-throughput neuraminidase inhibition (NAI) enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) to increase the assay's speed and cost efficiency. This platform will be used to evaluate the efficacy of an H3N2 vaccine in a clinical study, allowing us to generate results efficiently.

May 2022 - Feb 2024

ORISE Fellow

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

- In collaboration with the WHO's Global Influenza Program, the lab uses clinical serology to predict the dominant seasonal influenza strains, aiding in developing effective annual vaccines. By analyzing circulating influenza strains in human blood samples, I contributed to designing improved vaccine strategies for global use.
- COVID-19 functional tests with live wild-type viruses and various representative mutant strains are conducted in a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) laboratory. Within this secure environment, I studied mouse models to understand how human antibodies reduce COVID-19 infection, which helps inform future vaccine designs.
- I compared various COVID-19 antigen formats in mouse models and analyzed the resulting antibody profiles to support vaccine development. The bi-valent strategy I utilized demonstrated an effective breadth of neutralization against the most recent COVID-19 strains. Additionally, by examining the binding profile of the generated antibodies to the COVID-19 spike protein, I planned to design improved vaccination strategies to enhance vaccine development.

Feb 2019 - May 2022

Visiting Fellow (Postdoctoral research fellow)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

- I developed and characterized an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) neuronal model, known as i3neurons, for Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC1). This involved a detailed evaluation of mitochondrial and axonal transport defects associated with the disease. Beyond identifying these defects, I demonstrated that they could be reversed using 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, a drug currently being investigated in clinical trials.
- In collaboration with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), I conducted a high-throughput drug screening using NPC1 mutant i3neurons. The drugs identified through this screening primarily belonged to categories of neurotransmission regulators. This outcome highlights the importance of using disease-specific cell types for drug discovery, as they provide a more relevant platform for understanding and targeting the underlying mechanisms of the condition.
- I utilized CRISPR inhibition technology on i3neurons, by applying a guide RNA library to identify instances of synthetic lethality. This approach enabled me to selectively target and analyze neuronal survival in NPC1 i3neurons, to uncover potential therapeutic targets essential for maintaining neuronal health in Niemann-Pick disease type C1. The findings revealed that mitochondrial functional genes are the most crucial for neuronal survival in the context of NPC1 disease.

Feb 2012 - Feb 2019

PhD research program

College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University

- Developed graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as a therapeutic candidate for Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC1), showing their ability to reduce cholesterol aggregation, restore autophagic flux, and protect Purkinje cells while reducing microglial activation in vivo.
- Identified 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET) from human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs), demonstrating its role in reducing cholesterol accumulation and improving autophagic function in NPC1 models, with intranasal
administration offering a non-invasive treatment option.
- Investigated the anti-aging effects of human cord blood-derived plasma (hUCP), showing improvements in olfactory function in aged mice by reducing neuroinflammation and modulating immune balance towards regulatory T cells.
- Explored the role of tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (WRS) in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), finding it contributes to reducing inflammation by inducing apoptosis in activated T cells, thus enhancing the immunosuppressive effects of MSCs.
- Evaluated the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in critical limb ischemia, demonstrating the importance of donor variability, with different sensitivities to hypoxia and angiogenic potential affecting therapeutic outcomes.
- Studied the role of the Cx3cl1–Cx3cr1 interaction in microglial neurotoxicity in NPC1 models, identifying Cathepsin S (Ctss) as an upstream regulator and proposing Ctss inhibition as a strategy to reduce microglial activation and improve olfactory function.

My career has focused on vaccine development and public health through research in virology, stem cells, and molecular biology. With extensive experience in various in vivo models and nonclinical safety evaluations, I am eager to contribute to ensuring the safety and
efficacy of new drug products. My work includes models for Niemann-Pick Type C1 (NPC1), Batten disease, Crohn’s disease, and viral infections like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, providing a solid foundation in pharmacological and toxicological assessments. These
experiences have deepened my technical skills and ignited my interest in regulatory science. I am driven to translate scientific discoveries into tangible health solutions and look forward to contributing to innovative research that addresses global health challenges.

Prabhu AV, Kang I, De Pace R, Wassif CA, Fujiwara H, Kell P, Jiang X, Ory DS, Bonifacino JS, Ward ME, Porter FD. A human iPSC-derived inducible neuronal model of Niemann-Pick disease, type C1. BMC biology. 2021 Dec;19:1-2.

Kang I, Yoo JM, Kim D, Kim J, Cho MK, Lee SE, Kim DJ, Lee BC, Lee JY, Kim JJ, Shin N. Graphene quantum dots alleviate impaired functions in Niemann-pick disease type C in vivo. Nano letters. 2021 Jan 20;21(5):2339-46.

Lee BC, Kang I, Yu KR. Therapeutic features and updated clinical trials of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes. Journal of clinical medicine. 2021 Feb 11;10(4):711.

Kang I, Lee BC, Lee JY, Kim JJ, Sung EA, Lee SE, Shin N, Choi SW, Seo Y, Kim HS, Kang KS. Stem cell-secreted 14, 15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid rescues cholesterol homeostasis and autophagic flux in Niemann–Pick-type C disease. Experimental & Molecular Medicine. 2018
Nov;50(11):1-4.

Lee BC, Kang I, Lee SE, Lee JY, Shin N, Kim JJ, Choi SW, Kang KS. Human umbilical cord blood plasma alleviates age-related olfactory dysfunction by attenuating peripheral TNF-α expression. BMB reports. 2019 Apr;52(4):259.