Research Scientist

1. MinHee K. Ko
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MINHEE K. KO, Ph.D.
736 North Garfield Ave #102
Pasadena, CA 91104
Email: minheeko@hotmail.com
Contact phone: (213) 268-4745
PROFILE
 Extensive research experience in ocular translational research in uveitis, retinal
ischemia, glaucoma, neurodegenerative disease, and retrocorneal fibrosis.
 In-depth knowledge and wet laboratory experience from basic science to translational
research: from primary cell culture to various in vivo models.
 Independent self-motivated scientist working for multiple research projects from perform
experiments, analyze data, generate manuscripts, grant, or oral presentations
 Experience in managing lab and supervising/mentoring students and fellows.
EDUCATION
INSTITUTION DEGREE YEAR FIELD OF STUDY
Yeongnam University,
Republic of Korea
B.S. 1990-1994 Microbiology: Development of new alginate
matrix by use of polyethyleneimine for
microbial cell immobilization
Chungnam National
University, Republic of
Korea
M.S. 1994-1996 Microbiology: PCR cloning and Expression of
Protease in Aspergillus sojae
University of Southern
California
Ph.D. 2001-2005 Pathobiology: Gene regulation of type I
collagen and its alteration by FGF-2 during
corneal endothelial mesenchymal
transformation
Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center
Post-Doc 2005-2008 Neuroimmunology and oncology: immune-
based therapy for neurodegenerative
disorders
Doheny Eye Institute Post-Doc 2008-2011 Opthalmic pathology: Innate immune-
mediated retinal degeneration
PROFFSSIONAL RESEARCH EXPERIENCES
A. Developing novel therapeutics for Glaucoma
Doheny Eye Institute and UCLA, Doheny Eye Institute, University of California, CA
2011–Present
With Dr James Tan, primarily interested in developing new animal models to understand
pathophysiology of galucoma, especially focused on trabecular meshwork (TM). One of aims is
to develop therapeutics application (siRNA, adenoviral recombinant vector, pharmacological
drugs etc) to modulate intraocular pressure, outflow facility, and trabecular meshwork
contractility in human and rodent in vivo and ex vivo models.
Skill sets: outflow facility, intraocular pressure, angle, and corneal thickness in vivo, multiphoton
microscopy, flat mount for ganglion cell death, immunohistochemistry, transmission electron
microscopy, mouse colony, ELISA of aqueous humor, Western blot analysis, realtime PCR.
a. Ko, MK et al., Dose- and time-dependent effects of actomyosin inhibition on live mouse
outflow resistance and aqueous drainage tissues, Scientific Report (2016), in press.

2. MinHee K. Ko
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b. Gonzalez, JM et al., Tissue-based multiphoton analysis of actomyosin and
structural responses in human trabecular meshwork, Scientific Report (2016), in
press.
c. Ko, MK et al., Feedback-controlled constant pressure anterior chamber perfusion in live
mice, Molecular Vision (2014), 20:163.
d. Ko, MK et al., Contractile markers distinguish structures of mouse aqueous drainage
tract, Molecular Vision (2013), 19:2561.
e. Ko, MK et al., Smooth muscle features of mouse extraocular muscle, Clin Experiment
Ophthalmology (2013), 12172.
f. Chu ER et al., Intraocular pressure measurement in acepromazine-sedated mice. Clin
Experiment Ophthalmol. (2013), 12157.
In progress
Yelenskiy, A and Ko, MK et al., Total outflow facility across the live C57BL/6 mouse
adult lifespan. revision in Curr Eye Research
B. Innate immue-mediated photoreceptor cell death in uveitis model
Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California, CA
2008–2011
With mentor of Dr. Narsing A. Rao involved in both the research aspects and clinical treatment
of a broad range of inflammatory ocular diseases, my research was focused on the role of
innate immune response in retinal degeneration. We have found that activation of the innate
immune response, especially by TLR4 signaling, results in oxidative stress in the mitochondria
and that this stress damages the retinal photoreceptors and novel self protective mechanism
through alpha-crystallin in the photoreceptor against experiment autoimmune uveitis.
Skill sets: Experimental autoimmune uveitis in mice, Ischemia-reperfusion in mice, Innate
immune-related signaling pathway, Photoreceptor cell death, Mycobacterial tuberculosis,
Realtime PCR for diagnosis of vitreous tuberculosis, Western blot analysis, Confocal
microscopy, Immunohistochemistry.
a. Ko, MK et al., The role of TLR4 Activation in Photoreceptor Mitochondrial Oxidative
Stress, IOVS (2011), 52(8):5824.
b. Lee, J et al., Endothelial mesenchymal transformation mediated by IL-1β-induced FGF-2
in corneal endothelial cells. Exp Eye Res. (2012), 95(1):35.
C. Immune-based therapy: In vivo rodent models for neurodegenerative disease
Neurosurgical Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, CA
2005–2008
Focused on neuro-immunology, had a great impact on me for translating research and various
aspects into translational goals in neuro-immunology. The targeted immune-based therapy was
reduced various pathological phenotypes of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s
disease.
Skill sets: Immunotherapy for neurodegenerative disease, mouse models, Genotyping, bone-
marrow-dendritic cell primary culture, ELISA, nanoparticles, neuroimmunology, FACS, RT-PCR,
immunohistochemistry, Confocal microscopy.
a. Koronyo-Hamaoui, M and Ko, MK et al., Attenuation of AD-like neuropathology by
harnessing peripheral immune cells: local elevation of IL-10 and MMP-9. J. Neurochem.,
(2009), 11:1409.
b. Lee, B.S et al., Nanoprodrugs of NSAIDs inhibit the growth of U87-MG glioma cells.
Journal of Nanomaterials, (2010), 1.
c. Koronyo-Hamaoui, M et al., Identification of amyloid plaques in retinas from Alzheimer's
patients and noninvasive in vivo optical imaging of retinal plaques in a mouse model.

3. MinHee K. Ko
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Neuroimage. (2011), 54:S204.
d. Seksenyan A et al., Thymic Involution in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Cell Mol Med.
(2010), 14(10):2470.
D. Endothelial permeability studies: Drug screening to enhance blood-brain barrier for
the treatment of brain tumor in rat
Neurosurgical Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, LA, CA
2005–2008
As one of projects during post-doctoral fellowship, I studied to increase brain tumor permeability
in various rodent models. The most obstacles to treat brain tumor is the blood-brain barrier
which only allow highly selective permeability and limit the drug effects. Using FDA-approved
drug and channel agonists, we could improve tumor permeability and drug efficacy.
Skill sets: Intracerebral tumor implantation in rat and mouse, Realtime PCR, Xenogen in vivo
imaging, Transmission electron microscopy, chemotherapy, survival study, cyclic GMP, blood-
brain tumor barrier, phosphodiesterase.
a. Hu, J et al., Calcium-activated potassium channels mediated blood-brain tumor barrier
opening in a rat metastatic brain tumor model. Molecular Cancer (2007), 6:22.
b. Black, KL et al., Different effects of KCa and KATP agonists on brain tumor permeability
between syngeneic and allogeneic rat models. Brain Research (2008), 1227:198.
c. Black, KL et al., PDE5 inhibitors enhance tumor permeability and efficacy of
chemotherapy in a rat brain tumor model. Brain Research (2008), 1230:290.
E. Molecular/Cellular biology: Molecular mechanism of extracellular matrix alteration
during corneal endothelial mesenchymal transformation
Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California, CA
1997–2005
Addressed the molecular mechanism of endothelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT)
mediated by fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in corneal endothelial cells (CEC). We further
demonstrated that heat shock protein, protein disulfide isomerase play a role as post-
translational regulation for procollagen I from retention to intracellular degradation in
physiological condition. During EMT mediated by FGF-2, we found that type I collagen was
secreted with the help of other molecular chaperone, Hsp47, which guide type I collage for
secretion.
Skill sets: Primary corneal endothelial and stromal cell culture, Proliferation assay,
Immunofluorescence staining, Confocal microscopy, Western blot analysis, RT-PCR,
Immunoprecipitation, Immunoblot Analysis, Biosynthetic Collagen Labeling, Stability of RNA.
a. Kay, EP et al., Fibroblast growth factor 2 uses PLC- 1 for cell proliferation and PI 3-
kinase for alteration of cell shape and cell proliferation in corneal endothelial cells.
Molecular Vision (1998), 4:22.
b. Gu, X et al., Intracellular interaction of Hsp47 and Type I collagen in corneal endothelial
cells. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. (1999), 40:289.
c. Ko, MK et al., Hsp47-dependent and -independent intracellular trafficking of Type I
collagen in corneal endothelial cells. Molecular Vision (1999), 5:17.
d. Choi, JK et al., Subcellular location of the expressed 18kDa FGF-2 isoform in corneal
endothelial cells. Molecular Vision (2000), 6:222.
e. Ko, MK & Kay, EP. Subcellular localization of procollagen I and prolyl 4-hydroxylase in
corneal endothelial cells. Experimental Cell Research (2001), 264:260.
f. Ko, MK & Kay, EP. Differential interaction of molecular chaperones with procollagen I
and type IV collagen in corneal endothelial cells. Molecular Vision (2002), 8:1.
g. Ko, MK & Kay, EP. PDI-mediated ER retention and proteasomal degradation of

4. MinHee K. Ko
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procollagen I in corneal endothelial cells. Experimental Cell Research (2004), 295:25.
h. Ko, MK & Kay, EP. Regulatory role of FGF-2 on type I collagen expression during
endothelial mesenchymal transformation. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. (2005), 46:4495.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
 Substitute lectures for “Molecular Genetics, Biology” in California State University, Los
Angeles, Department of Biological Sciences, 2011
 Teaching and supervising students, research fellows, and medical doctors in the
laboratories in Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California, and Cedars-
Sinai Medical Center, 1997-present
 Teaching assistant for molecular biology and oral pathology lectures and laboratory
session for medical students and research fellows in Yonsei University, Oral
pathology, Republic of Korea, 1996
 Teaching assistant for microbial physiology and molecular biology lectures and
laboratory session in Chungnam National University, Microbiology, Republic of
Korea, 1994-1996
 Teaching students for microbiology, molecular biology, organic chemistry, and
biochemistry, Yeongnam University, Applied Microbiology, Republic of Korea,
1992-1994
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
1. Minhee K. Ko, Aleksandr Yelenskiy, Jose M Gonzalez, Jr, and James C. H. Tan,
Feedback-controlled constant pressure anterior chamber perfusion in live mice,
Molecular Vision, 2014, 20:163-70.
2. MinHee K. Ko, James C.H. Tan, Contractile markers distinguish structures of mouse
aqueous drainage tract, Molecular Vision, 2013, 19:2561-2570.
3. MinHee K. Ko, Edward R. Chu, James C.H. Tan, Smooth muscle features of mouse
extraocular muscle, Clin Experiment Ophthalmology, 2013, 42(3):295.
4. Chu ER, Kim EK, Gonzalez JM Jr, Ko MH, Liew EC, Tan JCH. Intraocular pressure
measurement in acepromazine-sedated mice. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2013,
42(4):395-7.
5. JeongGoo Lee, MinHee K. Ko, and EunDuck P. Kay, Endothelial mesenchymal
transformation mediated by IL-1β-induced FGF-2 in corneal endothelial cells. Exp Eye
Res. 2012, 95(1):35-9.
6. MinHee K. Ko, Sindhu Saraswathy, Jignesh G. Parikh, and Narsing A. Rao, The role of
TLR4 Activation in Photoreceptor Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress, IOVS, 2011,
52(8):5824-35.
7. Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, Yosef Koronyo, Alexander V. Ljubimov, Carol A. Miller,
MinHee K. Ko, Keith L. Black, Michal Schwartz and Daniel L. Farkas,
Identification of amyloid plaques in retinas from Alzheimer's patients and noninvasive
in vivo optical imaging of retinal plaques in a mouse model. Neuroimage. 2011, Jan;54
Suppl 1:S204-17..
8. Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui*, MinHee K. Ko*, Yosef Koronyo, David Azoulay, Akop
Seksenyan, Gilad Kunis, Michael Pham, Joshua Bakhsheshian, Patricia Rogeri, Keith L.
Black, Daniel L. Farkas, Michal Schwartz, Attenuation of AD-like neuropathology by
harnessing peripheral immune cells: local elevation of IL-10 and MMP-9. J. Neurochem,
2009,111(6);1409-1424 *These authors contributed equally to this study.
9. Seksenyan A, Ron-Harel N, Azoulay D, Cahalon L, Cardon M, Rogeri P, Ko MK, Weil M,
Bulvik S, Rechavi G, Amariglio N, Konen E, Koronyo-Hamaoui M, Somech R, Schwartz
M. Thymic Involution in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Cell Mol Med. 2010,

5. MinHee K. Ko
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14(10):2470-82.
10. Keith L Black, Dali Yin, John M Ong, Jinwei Hu, Bindu M Konda, Xiao Wang, MinHee K.
Ko, Jennifer-Ann Bayan, Manuel R Sacapano, Andreas Espinoza, Dwain K Morris-Irvin,
Yan Shu, PDE5 Inhibitors Enhance Tumor Permeability and Efficacy of Chemotherapy in
a Rat Brain Tumor Model, Brain Research, 2008, 1230:290-302
11. Keith L. Black, Dali Yin, Bindu M Konda, Xiao Wang, Jinwei Hu, Minhee K. Ko, Jennifer-
Ann Bayan, Manuel R Sacapano, Andres J Espinoza, John M Ong, Dwain Morris-Irvin,
Yan Shu, Different Effects of KCa and KATP Agonists on Brain Tumor Permeability
between Syngeneic and Allogeneic Rat Models, Brain Research, 2008, 1227:198-206.
12. Dali Yin, Xiao Wang, Bindu M. Konda, John M. Ong, Jinwei Hu, Manuel R. Sacapano,
MinHee K. Ko, Andres J. Espinoza, Dwain K. Irvin, Yan Shu, and Keith L. Black,
Increase in Brain Tumor Permeability in Glioma-Bearing Rats with Nitric Oxide Donors,
Clinical Cancer Research, 2008, 14(12):4002-4009.
13. Jinwei Hu, Xiangpeng Yuan, MinHee K Ko, Dali Yin, Manuel R Sacapano, Xiao Wang,
Bindu M Konda, Andres Espinoza, Ksenia Prosolovich, John M Ong, Dwain Irvin, and
Keith L Black, Calcium-activated potassium channels mediated blood-brain tumor barrier
opening in a rat metastatic brain tumor model. Molecular Cancer, 2007, 6: 22.
14. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, Regulatory role of FGF-2 on type I collagen
expression during endothelial mesenchymal transformation. Investigative Ophthalmology
and Visual Science, 2005, 46: 4495-4503.
15. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, PDI-mediated ER retention and proteasomal
degradation of procollagen I in corneal endothelial cells. Experimental Cell Research.
2004, 295(1):25-35.
16. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, Differential interaction of molecular chaperones
with procollagen I and type IV collagen in corneal endothelial cells, Molecular Vision,
2002, 8;1<http://www.molvis.org/molvis/v8/a1>
17. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, Subcellular localization of procollagen I and prolyl
4-hydroxylase in corneal endothelial cells, Experimental Cell Research, 2001, 264:260-
268.
18. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, Hsp47-dependent and -independent Intracellular
Trafficking of Type I collagen in Corneal Endothelial Cells, Molecular Vision, 1999, 5;17-
24 <http://www.molvis.org/molvis/v5/p17>
19. JongKyu Choi, MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, Subcellular location of the
expressed 18kDa FGF-2 isoform in corneal endothelial cells, Molecular Vision, 2000,
6:222-231 <http://www.molvis.org/molvis/v6/a30/>
20. Xin Gu, MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, Intracellular interaction of Hsp47 and Type
I collagen in corneal endothelial cells, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science,
1999, 40(2);289-295.
21. EunDuck P. Kay, SunYoung Park, MinHee K. Ko, and Sung Chul Lee, Fibroblast
Growth factor 2 uses PLC- 1 for cell proliferation and PI 3-kinase for alteration of cell
shape and cell proliferation in corneal endothelial cells, Molecular Vision, 1998, 4; 22.
22. Young Ho Kang and MinHee Kim, Development of new alginate matrix by use of
polyethyleneimine for microbial cell immobilization, Journal of Resource Development,
1993, 12;103-109.
* Complete List of Published Work in My Bibliography:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/minhee.ko.1/bibliography/48048604/public/?sort=d
ate&direction=ascending
ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS

6. MinHee K. Ko
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1. MinHee K. Ko and James CH Tan, 2015, In vivo RhoA activation increases trabecular
meshwork contraction and decreases outflow facility, has been accepted for
presentation at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
2. MinHee K. Ko, Eun Kyoung Kim, and James CH Tan, 2014, Glaucoma drug studies in
live mice: effect of latrunculin-B on outflow facility and actomyosin contractility,
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
3. MinHee Ko, Aleksandr Yelenskiy, Jose Gonzalez, James Tan, 2013, Voltage-coupled
single-needle constant-pressure anterior chamber perfusion in live mice, Association for
Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
4. James Tan, Jose Gonzalez, MinHee Ko, 2013, In situ 3D Distribution of Filamentous
Actin in Mouse Trabecular Meshwork, Association for Research in Vision and
Ophthalmology
5. MinHee K. Ko, Jose M Gonzalez Jr, James CH Tan, 2012, In Situ Imaging and
Localization of Trabecular Meshwork Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Gordon Research
Conferences: Cornea, Biology & Pathobiology of the
6. Hossein Nazari, Minhee K. Ko, Sindhu Saraswathy, Petros C. Karakousis, Narsing A.
Rao, 2012, Phagocytosis and Replication of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Retinal
Pigment Epithelium, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
7. MinHee K. Ko and Narsing A. Rao, 2011, microRNA modulation of innate immune
response in the retina, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
8. Matus Rehak , Sindhu Saraswathy, MinHee K. Ko, Narsing A.Rao, 2011, Time-
dependent Activation of Autophagy in the Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury,
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
9. Anita S. Chan, Sindhu Saraswathy, MinHee K. Ko, Narsing A. Rao, 2011, The
protective role of MicroRNA-140 in retinal Ischemia, Association for Research in Vision
and Ophthalmology
10. MinHee K. KO and Narsing A. Rao, 2010, TLR4 Activation Leads to Photoreceptor
Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress. 50h
American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting
11. MinHee K. KO and Narsing A. Rao, 2010, TLR4-dependent, TNF- mediated oxidative
stress/mitochondrial DNA damage of photoreceptor as a innate immune response,
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
12. MinHee K. Ko, Sindhu Saraswathy, Jignesh G. Parikh, and Narsing A. Rao, 2009, Toll-
like receptor 4 in the retinal microglia leads to photoreceptor oxidative stress,
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
13. Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, MinHee K. Ko, and Michal Schwartz, Dendritic-cell vaccination
with a weak agonist of myelin peptide ameliorates Alzheimer’s-like pathology, 2008,
Society of Neuroscience
14. Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, MinHee K. Ko, Michal Schwartz, Vaccination with a weak
agonist of myelin-derived peptide attenuates Alzheimer’s-like pathology in transgenic
mice, 2008, International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease
15. Jinwei Hu, Yan Shu, MinHee K. Ko, Donald J. Phillips, Bindu M. Konda, Andres
Espinoza, Xiao Wang, Xiangpeng Yuan, Keith L. Black, 2008, Opening of blood-brain
tumor barrier by phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors in a mice metastatic brain
tumor model. American Association for Cancer Research
16. Jinwei Hu, Xiangpeng Yuan, John M. Ong, Dali Yin, Manuel R. Sacapano, Xiao Wang,
MinHee K. Ko, Bindu M. Konda, Andres Espinoza, Keith L. Black, 2007, Calcium-
activated Potassium Channels Mediated Blood-Brain Tumor Barrier Opening in a Rat
Metastatic Brain Tumor Model. American Association for Cancer Research

7. MinHee K. Ko
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17. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, 2005, Gene regulation of type I collagen by FGF-2
during endothelial mesenchymal transformation. Association for Research in Vision and
Ophthalmology
18. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, 2004, FGF-2- and Interleukin-1-mediated
transcriptional regulation of pro1(I) collagen RNA during endothelial mesenchymal
transformation. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
19. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, 2003, Protein disulfide isomerase facilitates ER
retention and proteasomal degradation of procollagen I in corneal endothelial cells.
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
20. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, 2002, Role of protein disulfide isomerase for
retention of procollagen I in corneal endothelial cells. Association for Research in Vision
and Ophthalmology
21. MinHee K. Ko, 2002, Intracellular Degradation of Type I Collagen, the Main Character in
Fibrosis: A Study of Physiological Pathway of Anti-fibrosis in Corneal Endothelial Cells.
Second Annual Los Angeles Wound Healing Initiatinve Meeting
22. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, 2001, Subcellular localization of procollagen I and
prolyl 4-hydroxylase in corneal endothelial cells, Association for Research in Vision and
Ophthalmology
23. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, 2000, Procollagen I interacts with prolyl 4-
hydroxylase and protein disulphide isomerase during intracellular degradation in cornal
endothelial cells, 40th
American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting
24. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, 2000, Improper folding of procollagen I leads to
intracellular degradation in corneal endothelial cells, Association for Research in Vision
and Ophthalmology
25. MinHee K. Ko and EunDuck P. Kay, 1999, Hsp47-Dependent and -independent
intracellular Trafficking of Type I collagen in Corneal Endothelial Cells, Association for
Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
26. MinHee K. Ko, K.S. Seo, S. C. Lee, and E. P. Kay, 1998, FGF-2 alters expression of
cytoskeleton proteins in the absence of phenotypic alteration of collagen in RPE cells.
American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting
AWARDS
 National Eye Institute Travel Grant for ARVO 2009
 The ARVO 2009 Basic Science Award in Doheny Eye Institute
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND MEMBERSHIP
 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, 1998-2005 and 2008-present
 American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting, 1998-2005 and 2010
 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, 2008
 Society of Neuroscience, 2008-2009
 President of Los Angeles Chapter, Korean-American Woman Scientists and Engineers
Association, 2010-present
 Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association, 2008-present
REFERENCES
Will be provided upon request