V. Narry Kim
V. Narry Kim | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1969 South Korea |
| Occupation(s) | Biochemist, microbiologist, professor |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Known for | Research on microRNA biogenesis and RNA interference |
| Notable work | Development of TALEN library for microRNA disruption; discoveries on microRNA processing phases |
V. Narry Kim is a distinguished South Korean biochemist and microbiologist, acclaimed for her groundbreaking investigations into microRNA biogenesis. Her contributions have been instrumental in deepening the comprehension of microRNA functions and advancing RNA interference methodologies.
Background
Born in 1969 in South Korea, Kim’s fascination with science emerged early, inspired by the simplicity underlying complex biological phenomena.
Education
Kim completed both her BA and MS degrees in microbiology at Seoul National University (SNU) in 1992 and 1994, respectively, under the mentorship of Kang Sa-Ouk. She then pursued doctoral studies at the University of Oxford, where she specialized in retroviral protein roles under Alan J. Kingsman, earning her PhD in biochemistry in 1998.
Career
Her professional trajectory continued in the United States at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, where she worked as a research assistant. Following postdoctoral research on mRNA surveillance within Gideon Dreyfuss’s laboratory, Kim returned to South Korea in 2001 to join Seoul National University as a research assistant professor. By 35 years old, she had authored 22 articles published in leading journals such as Science and Nature, alongside securing four patents, notably one for a novel HIV-derived gene delivery system.
Kim was promoted to associate professor in 2008, honored as a SNU Distinguished Fellow in 2010, and attained full professorship by 2013. In 2012, she established and took leadership of the Center for RNA Research at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), concentrating on RNA-driven gene regulation with an emphasis on post-transcriptional control by microRNAs (miRNAs). Her laboratory integrates biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, biophysics, and computational approaches to investigate miRNAs’ roles in essential cellular processes and their involvement in diseases such as cancer. Her research into miRNA biogenesis has significantly elucidated their formation and maturation within animal cells, paving the way for therapeutic strategies targeting cancer and stem cell manipulation.
In collaboration with Professor Jin-Soo KIM in 2013, she developed an innovative approach employing TALENs to selectively disrupt specific microRNAs—marking a significant advancement with therapeutic potential against cancer. They constructed a library of 540 TALENs aimed at microRNAs; application of these tools to cancer cells resulted in a two-thirds reduction in cell proliferation. This breakthrough was documented in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.
Kim’s inaugural publication as a principal investigator appeared in 2002 within the EMBO Journal, where she delineated two separate microRNA processing phases and introduced a model for their biogenesis. Her team revealed that most microRNA genes are transcribed by RNA polymerase II, with initial pri-miRNA cleavage executed by nuclear Drosha-DGCR8 complexes. They uncovered regulatory mechanisms governing pre-miRNA degradation through uridylation mediated by LIN28 and TUT4 enzymes, shedding light on processes critical to embryonic stem cell pluripotency and oncogenesis. Additional findings clarified the molecular interactions involved in pri-miRNA recognition by Drosha-DGCR8 and subsequent pre-miRNA processing by Dicer, enhancing RNA interference technology development.
Her group also validated predicted subgenomic RNAs of SARS-CoV-2, identifying novel viral RNA species through collaborative efforts among virologists, microbiologists, and computational experts.
Kim’s honors include receiving the L'Oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science (2008), the Ho-Am Prize in Medicine (2009), and Korea’s Top Scientist and Technologist Award (2013). She actively participates in the RNA Society and International Society of Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) and has been recognized as one of Asia’s leading scientists by Asian Scientist as well as among "science stars of East Asia" by Nature. In 2014, she was designated a Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher for her contributions to molecular biology and genetics.
Work overview
Professional background:
- 2013–present: Professor at Seoul National University
- 2012–present: Director of the Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science
- 2010–present: Distinguished Fellow, Seoul National University
- 2008–2013: Associate Professor, Seoul National University
- 2004–2008: Assistant Professor, Seoul National University
- 2001–2004: Research Assistant Professor, Seoul National University
- 1999–2001: Postdoctoral Researcher at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Pennsylvania (mentored by Gideon Dreyfuss)
Academic and professional contributions:
- 2015–present: Member of the Board of Reviewing Editors, Science
- 2014–present: Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
- 2014–present: Editorial Board Member, Molecular Cell
- 2012–present: Member of The Korean Academy of Science and Technology
- 2013–present: Associate Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
- 2012–present: Editorial Board Member, Genes & Development
- 2011–present: Editorial Board Member, The EMBO Journal
- 2010–present: Editorial Board Member, Cell
- 2009–present: Editorial Board Member, Cell Research
- Held numerous leadership and organizational positions in prominent scientific organizations and conferences such as The RNA Society and Keystone Symposia
Honors and awards
- 2024: Grand Prize, Lim Seong-ki Researcher Award from Lim Seong-gi Foundation
- 2021: Recipient of the Lina 50+ Award
- 2020: Recognized among Korea’s Top 5 Bio-Field Research Results by POSTECH Biological Research Information Center
- 2019: Awarded the Asan Award in Medicine
- 2017: Chen Award honoree
- 2016: Named Scientist of the Year by Korea Science Journalists Association
- 2014: Designated Highly Cited Researcher in molecular biology and genetics category
- 2013: S-Oil Leading Scientist of the Year; Top Scientist and Technologist Award in Korea; Gwanak Grand Prize Honor Sector at Seoul National University
- 2011: Included in the list of 100 Leaders in Korea by The Dong-a Ilbo
- 2010: Honored as National Scientist of the Republic of Korea by Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
- 2010: Grand Prize recipient from Amore Pacific and KOFWST
- 2009: Awarded the Ho-Am Prize in Medicine
- 2008: Laureate of the L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science
- 2007: Woman Scientist/Engineer of the Year Award; Young Scientist Award from Korean Academy of Science and Technology; Thomson Scientific Citation Award recipient
- 2006: Received Research Award from Seoul National University
External links
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1969 births
- Living people
- People from South Jeolla Province
- Seoul National University alumni
- Alumni of the University of Oxford
- Academic staff of Seoul National University
- South Korean biochemists
- Women biochemists
- South Korean women biologists
- Institute for Basic Science
- L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science laureates
- Recipients of the Ho-Am Prize in Medicine
- Foreign associates of the National Academy of Sciences
- Foreign members of the Royal Society
- National Scientist of the Republic of Korea
- 21st-century South Korean women scientists
- Woman Scientist/Engineer of the Year Award recipients