Won Do Heo

Won Do Heo is a Professor in the Department of BIO at KAIST. His research spans Brain Science, Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Synthetic Biology. He leads the Heo Lab, which integrates molecular optogenetics, mRNA optogenetics, and RNA biology to develop precise, reversible, and programmable RNA therapeutics. His work includes pioneering molecular optogenetics, advancing CRISPR-Cas13 platforms for RNA editing, and creating innovative technologies for light-controlled RNA manipulation. He is also recognized for his contributions to optogenetic medicine and RNA-based therapies.

Won Do Heo is a researcher at KAIST with expertise in Cell Signaling, Optogenetics, Cell Migration, and Biosensor technologies. His work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular responses to stimuli, including calcium signaling, lipid-mediated protein targeting, and the regulation of small GTPase signaling pathways. He has developed optogenetic tools for spatiotemporal control of signaling events, such as the optogenetic activation of fibroblast growth factor receptors and the reversible inactivation of proteins. His research also explores the role of calmodulin isoforms in plant stress responses and the manipulation of phosphoinositide signaling networks.