How do cells sense their world?
MEMBRANES · SENSORY RECEPTORS · AI
We explore how ion channels force, temperature, and chemical signals—by connecting molecular structure, membrane environments, and function.
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How do cells detect force, heat, and chemicals? We connect sensory receptor structures with membrane physics and function.
Explore our publications on ion channel gating, molecular regulation, and the structural basis of disease.
Learning, discovering, and celebrating together. Meet our people and explore life in and beyond the lab.
Molecular machines. Big questions.
Molecular machines. Big questions.
01 · How can we recreate a receptor’s membrane environment?
We aim to quantitatively recreate and characterize membrane conditions, then test how they shape sensory receptor structure and function. Mechanosensing, thermal activation, and chemical regulation are complementary questions within this broader effort.
02 · How do sensory receptors turn stimuli into signals?
How can heat, pressure, or a chemical change what a cell does? We study the molecular changes that connect stimulus detection to ion flow, combining cryo-EM with biochemistry and functional experiments.
03 · How can AI help us discover new mechanisms?
We use AI-guided approaches to explore protein structures and interactions, prioritize candidate molecules, and experiments. Predictions generate hypotheses; experiments test how receptors actually work.
Selected discoveries
TRPV4 and disease
Connecting clinical, structural, and cellular studies
Brain · 2025
TRPV4 regulation
TRPV4–Rho GTPase complexes and channel gating
Nature Communications · 2023
TRPV1 activation
Heat- and capsaicin-dependent channel opening
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology · 2021
Publications and full-text links →
Learn together. Discover together.
From protein biochemistry and membrane reconstitution to cryo-EM, electrophysiology, and AI-guided analysis, we connect ideas across disciplines. Students learn to ask clear questions, design experiments, and interpret evidence.
Conferences, shared discoveries, birthdays,time beyond the bench are all part of our story.
Life in the lab → Meet our team →
Bring your curiosity. Build the next discovery.
We welcome students eager to connect biology, chemistry, physics, and computation.
Prospective students
Tell us about your interests, academic background, and preferred starting date. Undergraduate researchers and interns can also share their relevant coursework and availability.
Research collaborationWe welcome conversations with groups worldwide working on membrane biophysics, materials, sensory receptors, AI, and molecular discovery.
dhkwon@postech.ac.kr Get in touch →
Please contact us to discuss availability. Graduate applicants should also consult the official POSTECH admissions requirements.
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