Forney Lab: Dr. Hyun Joon La

Research

Bacteria may have two main life styles:  planktonic cells and biofilms. Planktonic cells can proliferate rapidly and spread into new territories, and cells in the biofilms are slow-growing and focus on perseverance by increased production of persistors. How do bacteria control or switch the growth strategies? The underlying mechanisms of the switch in growth strategies will be studied and compared using chemostat and biofilms in genetic and physiological levels.

Also, in various stressful conditions (for example, carbon limitation), we will study the response of cells, especially in a biofilm. Do they only induce the stress response (SOS, oxidation stress etc) and/or acquire new genetic abilities (adaptive mutation)? If mutants appear, how do they interact with their ancestors? And how are these responses related to spatial heterogeneities of a biofilm? The results from this study will have importance in clinical fields and environmental technologies which use biofilm as a unit process.

Education

• Ph.D., candidate of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Korea (1995-present)
   
• Master of Science in Biotechnology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Korea, (1993-1995).
   
• Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Korea, (1989-1993).

Publications

Hyun-Joon La, Kyung-Ho Kim, Zhe-Xue Quan, Young-Gyun Cho and Sung-Taik Lee. Enhancement of sulfate reduction activity using granular sludge in anaerobic treatment of acid mine drainage, Biotechnology Letters, 25, 503-508, 2003.

Zhe-Xue Quan, Hyun-Joon La, Young-Gyun Cho, M. H. Huang, I. S. Kim and Sung-Taik Lee. Treatment of metal-contaminated water and vertical distribution of metal precipitates in an upflow anaerobic bioreactor, Environmental Technology, 24, 369-376, 2003.

In-Sook Ahn, Myung-Woon Kim, Hyun-Joon La, Kyung-Min Choi, Joong-Cheon Kwon. Bacterial Community Composition of Activated Sludge Related with the Types and Efficiencies of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 13(1). 15-21, 2003.

Hyun-Joon La, S.Y. Moon, J.S. Kim, and J.C. Kwon. Development of Pharmaceutical Wastewater Treatment Process Using Upflow Multi-bed Bio Reactor System. (2001) Korean Society of Environmental Engineers.

Seo-Yeon Moon, Hyun-Joon La, J.C. Kwon. Development of Complex Media for the Denitrification of Recycled Waters in Ion Exchange System. (2001) Korean Society of Environmental Engineers.

Zhe-Xue Quan, Hyun-Joon La, Y.G. Cho, S.T. Lee. Treatment of Acidic Heavy Metal Contaminated Water Using Cow Manure and Microbial Granule. (2000) Korean Society of Environmental Engineers.