Young-Min Lee PhD
Animal, Dairy, & Veterinary Sciences (ADVS)
Associate Professor
Contact Information
Office Location: Bioinnovations Building, Room 205LPhone: 435-797-9667
Email: youngmin.lee@usu.edu
Educational Background
PhD, Virology, (Molecular Microbiology and Immunology), Johns Hopkins University, 1998 Dissertation
Role of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 matrix (MAp17) protein in viral morphogenesis in infected CD4+ T cells
Teacher Certificate, Ministry of Education (South Korea), 1991
Biography
I received my first BS degree in Biology from Chung-Ang University (Seoul, South Korea) in 1991 and my second BS degree in Microbiology from the University of Minnesota (St. Paul, MN) in 1993. I then completed my PhD training in 1998 at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD). I did ~2 years of post-doctoral research at Washington University (St. Louis, MO). From 2000 to 2011, I was a faculty member of the Chungbuk National University Medical School (Cheongju, South Korea) and achieved the rank of full professor in 2011. In 2012, I joined the Utah State University as an Associate Professor of the Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences department. I am currently directing a molecular virology laboratory, with a research focus on the molecular mechanisms of viral replication and pathogenesis of two clinically important human/animal pathogens, such as Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV, a flavivirus) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV, an arterivirus).
Research Interests
As a molecular virologist, the research in my laboratory focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of viral replication and pathogenesis, a crucial step toward developing new antiviral therapeutic and preventive strategies against two plus-strand RNA viruses that are important for human/animal health: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV, a flavivirus) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV, an arterivirus). Although the two viruses are clinically important, the basis of their replication and pathogenesis remains largely unknown, mainly because these viruses contain a genome consisting of a single-strand, positive-sense RNA molecule that cannot be manipulated directly in vitro for functional studies of viral RNA sequences and gene products. During the past >20 years, the research in my laboratory has made several major contributions to this field. One of the most significant accomplishments is the construction of full-length infectious cDNA molecular clones for each of these two RNA viruses that serve as a template for the genetic manipulation of the viral genome, allowing the production of molecularly defined mutant recombinant viruses for biological studies. By using our new infectious cDNA technology, combined with innovative molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemical techniques, our research will answer key questions about the viral life cycle and cellular and host responses to viral infections, enabling us to discover a novel molecular target(s) for the development of antivirals and vaccines against JEV and PRRSV, as well as their closely related other pathogenic flaviviruses and arteriviruses.
Awards
ADVS Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year Award, 2022
Utah State University
Best Paper Award, 2020
Microbiological Society of Korea/Journal of Microbiology
CAAS Faculty Researcher of the Year Award, 2018
Utah State University
ADVS Faculty Researcher of the Year Award , 2017
Utah State University
Gaeshin Academic Award, 2011
Chungbuk National University
Best Paper Award in Science and Technology, 2009
Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies
Faculty Excellence Award, 2005
Chungbuk National University
Excellence in Scientific Research, 2004
Ministry of Health and Welfare (South Korea)
Katharine E. Welsh Fellowship, 1995
Johns Hopkins University
Publications | Abstracts
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
- Yun, S., Lee, Y., (2021). Japanese encephalitis virus (Flaviviridae): Encyclopedia of Virology, 4th edition. Academic Press
- Yun, S., Lee, Y., (2015). Japanese encephalitis: Antimicrobial Therapy and Vaccines (3rd ed). Antimicrobe.org
- Lee, Y., (2013). Chapter 04: Diagnosis and Research Methods: Virology. Life Science
- Lee, Y., (2013). Chapter 12: Flaviviruses: Virology. Life Science
- Lee, Y., (2013). Chapter 17: Retroviruses: Virology. Life Science
- Lee, Y., (2013). Chapter 22: HIV and AIDS : Virology. Life Science
- Lee, Y., (2013). Chapter 04: Structure : Principles of Virology. World Science
- Lee, Y., (2013). Chapter 06: Synthesis of RNA from RNA templates : Principles of Virology. World Science
- Lee, Y., (2010). Chapter 04: Diagnosis and research methods: Virology. Life Science
- Lee, Y., (2010). Chapter 12: Flavivirues: Virology. Life Science
- Lee, Y., (2010). Chapter 18: Retroviruses: Virology. Life Science
- Lee, Y., (2010). Chapter 24: Viral pathogenesis: Virology. Life Science
- Lee, Y., (2010). Chapter 25: HIV and AIDS: Virology. Life Science
- Lee, Y., (2009). Chapter 59: Flaviviridae: Medical Microbiology, 6e. Elsevier Korea
- Lee, Y., (2008). Chapter 24: Enveloped RNA viruses: Nursing Microbiology, 1e. Elsevier Korea
- Lee, Y., (2007). Chapter 61: Flaviviridae: Medical Microbiology, 5e. Elsevier Korea
- Lee, Y., (2006). Chapter 11: Transformation: Fundamental Bacterial Genetics. World Science
- Lee, Y., (2006). Chapter 12: Gene expression and regulation: Fundamental Bacterial Genetics. World Science
- Yun, S., Lee, Y., (2006). Japanese encephalitis virus: Molecular biology and vaccine development: Molecular Biology of the Flavivirus. Horizon Bioscience (Horizon Scientific Press)
- Lee, Y., (2005). Chapter 64: Flaviviridae: Medical Microbiology, 4e. Elsevier Singapore
Publications | Book Chapters
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Journal Articles
Academic Journal
- Frank, J.C, Song, B., Lee, Y., (2023). Mice as an animal model for Japanese encephalitis virus research: Mouse susceptibility, infection route, and viral pathogenesis. Pathogens, 12:5, 715.
- Yun, S., Song, B., Woolley, M.E, Frank, J.C, Julander, J., Lee, Y., (2020). Development, Characterization, and Application of Two Reporter-Expressing Recombinant Zika Viruses. Viruses, 12:5, E572.
- Hickerson, B.T, Westover, J.B, Wang, Z., Lee, Y., Gowen, B.B, (2019). Guinea pig transferrin receptor 1 mediates cellular entry of Junin virus and other pathogenic New World arenaviruses. Journal of Virology (J Virol), 94:4, e01278-19. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01278-19
- Yang, S., Sathish, A., Eun, J., Lee, Y., Fellner, V., Sims, R.C, (2019). In vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics of algal protein precipitate supplemented in lactation dairy diets in continuous cultures. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 8:9, 9207-9218.
- Yun, S., Lee, Y., (2018). Early events in Japanese encephalitis virus infection: viral entry. Pathogens, 7:3, E68. doi: 10.3390/pathogens7030068
- Yun, S., Song, B., Frank, J.C, Julander, J.G, Olsen, A.L, Polejaeva, I.A, Davies, C.J, White, K.L, Lee, Y., (2018). Functional genomics and immunologic tools: the impact of viral and host genetic variations on the outcome of Zika virus infection. Viruses, 10:8, E422. doi: 10.3390/v10080422
- Song, B., Yun, S., Woolley, M., Lee, Y., (2017). Zika virus: history, epidemiology, transmission, and clinical presentation. Journal of Neuroimmunology (J Neuroimmunol), 308, 50-64. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2017.03.001
- Yun, S., Lee, Y., (2017). Zika virus: an emerging flavivirus. Journal of Microbiology (J Microbiol), 55:3, 204-219.
- Julander, J.G, Siddharthan, V., Evans, J., Taylor, R., Tolbert, K., Apuli, C., Stewart, J., Collins, P., Gebre, M., Neilson, S., Van Wettere, A., Lee, Y., Sheridan, W.P, Morrey, J.D, Babu, Y., (2017). Efficacy of the broad-spectrum antiviral compound BCX4430 against Zika virus in cell culture and in a mouse model. Antiviral Research (Antiviral Res), 137, 14-22. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.11.003
- Yun, S., Song, B., Polejaeva, I.A, Davies, C.J, White, K.L, Lee, Y., (2016). Comparison of the live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine SA14-14-2 strain with its pre-attenuated virulent parent SA14 strain: similarities and differences in vitro and in vivo. Journal of General Virology (J Gen Virol), 97:10, 2575-2591. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.000574
- Yun, S., Song, B., Frank, J.C, Julander, J.G, Polejaeva, I.A, Davies, C.J, White, K.L, Lee, Y., (2016). Complete genome sequences of three historically important, spatiotemporally distinct, and genetically divergent strains of Zika virus: MR-766, P6-740, and PRVABC-59. Genome Announcements (Genome Announc), 4:4, e00800-16. doi: 10.1128/genomeA.00800-16
- Yun, S., Song, B., Frank, J.C, Julander, J.G, Polejaeva, I.A, Davies, C.J, White, K.L, Lee, Y., (2016). Complete genome sequences of three historically important, spatiotemporally distinct, and genetically divergent strains of Zika virus: MR-766, P6-740, and PRVABC-59. Genome Announcements (Genome Announc), 4:4, e00800-16. doi: 10.1128/genomeA.00800-16
- Yun, S., Song , B., Lee, Y., (2016). SA14-14-2Rep: a replicon vector derived from the live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine SA14-14-2 virus for human and veterinary medicine. Pediatric Infectious Diseases: Open Access, 1:1, e4.
- Yun, S., Song, B., Kim, J., Lee, Y., (2015). Bacterial artificial chromosomes: a functional genomics tool for the study of positive-strand RNA viruses. Journal of Visualized Experiments (J Vis Exp), 106, e53164. doi: 10.3791/53164
- Kim, J., Kim, J., Song, B., Yun, S., Yun, G., Byun, S., Lee, Y., (2015). Profiling of viral proteins expressed from the genomic RNA of Japanese encephalitis virus using a panel of 15 region-specific polyclonal rabbit antisera: implications for viral gene expression. PLoS ONE (PLoS ONE), 10:4, e0124318. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124318
- Yun, S., Song, B., Kim, J., Yun, G., Lee, E., Li, L., Kuhn, R., Rossmann, M., Morrey, J., Lee, Y., (2015). A molecularly cloned, live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine SA14-14-2 virus. World Biomedical Frontiers, 1, 1-4.
- Yun, S., Song, B., Kim, J., Yun, G., Lee, E., Li, L., Kuhn, R.J, Rossmann, M.G, Morrey, J.D, Lee, Y., (2014). A molecularly cloned, live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine SA14-14-2 virus: A conserved single amino acid in the ij hairpin of the viral E glycoprotein determines neurovirulence in mice. PLOS Pathogens (PLOS Pathog), 10:7, e1004290. doi: doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004290
- Yun, S., Lee, Y., (2014). Japanese encephalitis: the virus and vaccines. Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics (Hum Vaccin Immunother), 10:2, 263-279. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/hv.26902
- Yun, S., Lee, Y., (2013). Overview: replication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Journal of Microbiology (J Microbiol), 51:6, 711–723. doi: 10.1007/s12275-013-3431-z
- Na, G., Wolfe, A., Ko, C., Youn, H., Lee, Y., Byun, S., Jeon, I., Koo, Y., (2013). A low-copy-number plasmid for retrieval of toxic genes from BACs and generation of conditional targeting constructs. Molecular Biotechnology (Mol Biotechnol), 54:2, 504-514. doi: 10.1007/s12033-012-9591-y
- Song, B., Yun, G., Kim, J., Yun, S., Lee, Y., (2012). Biological and genetic properties of SA14-14-2, a live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine that is currently available for humans. Journal of Microbiology (J Microbiol), 50:4, 698-706. doi: 10.1007/s12275-012-2336-6
- Lee, T., Song, B., Yun, S., Woo, H., Lee, Y., Diamond, M.S, Chung, K., (2012). A cross-protective mAb recognizes a novel epitope within the flavivirus NS1 protein. Journal of General Virology (J Gen Virol), 93:1, 20-26. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.036640-0
- Choi, B.K, Kim, Y.H, Choi, J.H, Kim, C.H, Kim, K., Sung, Y., Lee, Y., Moffett, J.R, Kwon, B.S, (2011). Unified immune modulation by 4-1BB triggering leads to diverse effects on disease progression in vivo. Cytokine (Cytokine), 55:3, 420-428. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2011.05.015
- Song, B., Kim, J., Kim, J., Jang, H., Yun, G., Choi, E., Song, J., Yun, S., Lee, Y., (2011). Packaging of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus replicon RNA by a stable cell line expressing its nucleocapsid protein. Journal of Microbiology (J Microbiol), 49:3, 516-523. doi: 10.1007/s12275-011-1280-1
- Park, J., Lee, S., Lee, Y., Jheong, W., Ryu, S., Paik, S., (2011). Full sequence analysis and characterization of the South Korean Norovirus GII-4 variant CUK-3. Virology Journal (Virol J), 8, 167-171. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-8-167
- Wang, J., Liu, B., Wang, N., Lee, Y., Liu, C., Li, K., (2011). TRIM56 is a virus- and interferon-inducible E3 ubiquitin ligase that restricts pestivirus infection. Journal of Virology (J Virol), 85:8, 3733-3745. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02546-10
- Yun, S., Kim, J., Song, B., Jeong, A., Jee, Y., Lee, C., Paik, S., Koo, Y., Jeon, I., Byun, S., Lee, Y., (2010). Complete genome sequence and phylogenetic analysis of a recombinant Korean norovirus, CBNU1, recovered from a 2006 outbreak. Virus Research (Virus Res), 152:1-2, 137-152. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2010.06.018
- Jang, S., Jeong, W., Kim, M., Lee, Y., Lee, J., Lee, G., Paik, S., Koh, G., Kim, J., Lee, C., (2010). Detection of replicating negative-sense RNAs in CaCo-2 cells infected with human astrovirus. Archives of Virology (Arch Virol), 155:9, 1383-1389. doi: 10.1007/s00705-010-0718-9
- Yi, H., Kim, M., Jang, S., Lee, Y., Ahn, J., Lee, C., (2009). Cellular signals involved in cyclooxygenase-2 expression induced by human cytomegalovirus. Virus Research (Virus Res), 146:1-2, 89-96. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2009.09.004
- Yun, S., Song, B., Koo, Y., Jeon, I., Byun, S., Park, J., Joo, Y., Kim, S., Lee, Y., (2009). Japanese encephalitis virus-based replicon RNAs/particles as an expression system for HIV-1 Pr55Gag that is capable of producing virus-like particles. Virus Research (Virus Res), 144:1-2, 298-305. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2009.04.014
- Yun, S., Choi, Y., Song, B., Lee, Y., (2009). 3’ cis-acting elements that contribute to the competence and efficiency of Japanese encephalitis virus genome replication: functional importance of sequence duplications, deletions, and substitutions. Journal of Virology (J Virol), 83:16, 7909-7930. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02541-08
- Song, B., Yun, S., Choi, Y., Kim, J., Lee, C., Lee, Y., (2008). A complex RNA motif defined by three discontinuous 5-nucleotide-long strands is essential for Flavivirus RNA replication. RNA-A Publication of the RNA Society (RNA), 14:9, 1791-1813. doi: 10.1261/rna.993608
- Kim, J., Yun, S., Song, B., Hahn, Y., Lee, C., Oh, H., Lee, Y., (2008). A single N-linked glycosylation site in the Japanese encephalitis virus prM protein is critical for cell type-specific prM protein biogenesis, virus particle release, and pathogenicity in mice. Journal of Virology (J Virol), 82:16, 7846-7862. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00789-08
- Yun, S., Choi, Y., Yu, X., Song, J., Shin, Y., Ju, Y., Kim, S., Lee, Y., (2007). Engineering the Japanese encephalitis virus RNA genome for the expression of foreign genes of various sizes: implications for packaging capacity and RNA replication efficiency. Journal of Neurovirology (J Neurovirol), 13:6, 522-535. doi: 10.1080/13550280701684651
- Lee, E., Song, M., Shin, J., Lee, Y., Kim, C., Lee, Y., Kim, H., Choi, Y., (2007). Genetic characterization of avian metapneumovirus subtype C isolated from pheasants in a live bird market. Virus Research (Virus Res), 128:1-2, 18-25. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2007.03.029
- Yin Ji, X., Kang, M., Choi, J., Jeon, H., Han, H., Kim, J., Son, B., Lee, Y., Hahn, Y., (2007). Levels of intra- and extracellular heat shock protein 60 in Kawasaki disease patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Clinical Immunology (Clin Immunol), 124:3, 304-310. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2007.05.006
- Lee, Y., Shin, J., Song, M., Lee, Y., Choi, J., Lee, E., Jeong, O., Sung, H., Kim, J., Kwon, Y., Kwon, J., Kim, C., Webby, R.J, Webster, R.G, Choi, Y., (2007). Continuing evolution of H9 influenza viruses in Korean poultry. Virology, 359:2, 313-323. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.09.025
- Shin, J., Song, M., Lee, E., Lee, Y., Kim, S., Kim, H., Choi, J., Kim, C., Webby, R.J, Choi, Y., (2006). Isolation and characterization of novel H3N1 swine influenza viruses from pigs with respiratory diseases in Korea. Journal of Clinical Microbiology (J Clin Microbiol), 44:11, 3923-3927. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00904-06
- Choi, Y., Yun, S., Kang, S., Lee, Y., (2006). Identification of 5' and 3' cis-acting elements of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus: acquisition of novel 5' AU-rich sequences restored replication of a 5'-proximal 7-nucleotide deletion mutant. Journal of Virology (J Virol), 80:2, 723-736. doi: 10.1128/JVI.80.2.723–736.2006
- Lee, Y., Tscherne, D.M, Yun, S., Frolov, I., Rice, C.M, (2005). Dual mechanisms of pestiviral superinfection exclusion at entry and RNA replication. Journal of Virology (J Virol), 79:6, 3231-3242. doi: 10.1128/JVI.79.6.3231–3242.2005
- Kang, S., Yun, S., Park, H., Park, C., Choi, H., Lee, Y., (2004). Molecular characterization of PL97-1, the first Korean isolate of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Virus Research (Virus Res), 104:2, 165-179. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2004.04.003
- Yun, S., Kim, S., Choi, W., Nam, J., Ju, Y., Park, K., Cho, H., Lee, Y., (2003). Molecular characterization of the full-length genome of the Japanese encephalitis viral strain K87P39. Virus Research (Virus Res), 96:1-2, 129-140. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1702(03)00181-3
- Yun, S., Kim, S., Rice, C.M, Lee, Y., (2003). Development and application of a reverse genetics system for Japanese encephalitis virus. Journal of Virology (J Virol), 77:11, 6450-6465. doi: 10.1128/JVI.77.11.6450–6465.2003
- Kim, S., Woo, C., Lee, Y., Son, B., Kim, J., Chae, H., Youn, S., Park, S., (2001). Genotyping CagA, VacA subtype, IceA1, and BabA of Helicobacter pylori isolates from Korean patients, and their association with gastroduodenal diseases. Journal of Korean Medical Science (J Korean Med Sci), 16:5, 579-584. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2001.16.5.579
- Lee, Y., Liu, B., Yu, X., (1999). Formation of virus assembly intermediate complexes in the cytoplasm by wild-type and assembly-defective mutant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and their association with membranes. Journal of Virology (J Virol), 73:7, 5654-5662.
- Lee, Y., Tian, C., Yu, X., (1998). A bipartite membrane-binding signal in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 matrix protein is required for the proteolytic processing of Gag precursors in a cell type-dependent manner. Journal of Virology (J Virol), 72:11, 9061-9068.
- Lee, Y., Yu, X., (1998). Identification and characterization of virus assembly intermediate complexes in HIV-1-infected CD4+ T cells. Virology (Virology), 243:1, 78-93.
- Lee, Y., Tang, X., Cimakasky, L.M, Hildreth, J.E, Yu, X., (1997). Mutations in the matrix protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 inhibit surface expression and virion incorporation of viral envelope glycoproteins in CD4+ T lymphocytes. Journal of Virology (J Virol), 71:2, 1443-1452.
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Other
Magazine/Trade Publications
- Lee, Y., (2020). What is the hepatitis C virus? : The Nobel Prize. Donga Science *
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Graduate Students Mentored
Shristy Budha Magar, Animal, Dairy & Vet Sciences, August 2023
Jiyoun Kim, Animal, Dairy & Vet Sciences, August 2020
Joseph Goldhardt , Animal, Dairy & Vet Sciences, September 2017 - August 2019
Jordan Frank, Animal, Dairy & Vet Sciences, September 2016 - August 2018
Michael Woolley, Animal, Dairy & Vet Sciences, September 2016 - August 2018