Lab Members

Biosketch (PDF, 105.7 KB)
CV (PDF, 320.92 KB)

My research focuses on understanding the regulation of common and cell-specific genetic programs controlled by cytokine-JAK/STAT signaling in development, immune homeostasis, and multiple autoimmune syndrome (MAS). It centers on three main aims: (1) investigating the roles of JAK/STAT SNPs identified in immune disorders and cancer, (2) examining the regulation of genetic programs by JAK/STAT SNPs using primary patient material, and (3) inquiring about altered physiology and mechanism regulated by oncogenic STAT5 mutations identified in T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, which were introduced into the mouse genome. The first and last aims are primarily initiated and driven by my lab, while the second one is co-driven in a collaborative nature with community-based physicians and their patients. CV (PDF, 193.59 KB)  

Selected Publications

1. Lee HK, Willi M, Liu C, Hennighausen L (2023) Cell-specific and shared enhancers control a multi-gene locus active in mammary and salivary glands. Nature Communications 14: 4992
2. Lee HK, Knabl L, Moliva JI, Knabl Sr. L, Werner AP, Boyoglu-Barnum S, Kapferer S, Pateter B, Walter M, Sullivan N, Furth PA, Hennighausen L (2022) mRNA vaccination in octogenarian nuns 15 and 20 months after recovery from COVID-19 elicits robust immune and antibody responses that include Omicron. Cell Reports 39:110680
3. Lee HK, Willi M, Miller SM, Kim S, Liu C, Liu DR, Hennighausen L (2018) Targeting fidelity of adenine and cytosine base editors in mice. Nature Communications 9:4804

My research aims to help explain the difference in susceptibility to kidney disease between men and women. I combine bioinformatics tools and clinical data repositories with genetically modified mouse models reflecting human disease and study key renal genes like Klotho and STAT5b, as well as deregulation of genetic programs in the kidney during gestation.
CV (PDF, 172.59 KB)

Selected Publications

1. Jankowski J., Lee H.K., Liu Ch., Wilflingseder J., Hennighausen L. Sexually dimorphic renal expression of Klotho is directed by a kidney-specific distal enhancer responsive to HNF1b, bioRxiv 2024 Mar 4; DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.29.582831
2. Jankowski J., Lee H.K., Wilflingseder J., Hennighausen L. JAK inhibitors dampen activation of interferon-activated transcriptomes and the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 in human renal proximal tubules, iScience, 2021 Aug 20; 24(8):102928; DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102928

I conduct hybrid research combining bioinformatics and wet laboratory experiments to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the JAK-STAT pathway. My focus is on SNPs located either in coding regions, leading to missense mutations, or within enhancers or promoters that may affect the creation or disruption of STAT DNA binding motifs leading to deregulation of downstream gene expression. In the future, I plan to include ancient genomes in my studies to track the development of the JAK-STAT pathway over space and time. CV (PDF, 247.48 KB)

My research goal is to understand the relationship between genotype and phenotype. Currently, I am focusing on cancer and autoimmunity-associated mutations and using genome editing in mice to investigate this connection. Through my background in bioinformatics, I perform multi-omics analyses and pipeline development to gain insights into complex biological systems and diseases. Additionally, I am conducting research to identify clinical biomarkers using AI approach. CV (PDF, 95.77 KB)