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Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Reproductive Laboratory Science Programs

Office Location: Room 126B Charles T. Wethington Building College of Health Sciences 900 S. Limestone University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0200 Office Phone: (859) 323-1100 Ext. 80846 Office Fax: (859) 323-8957 Email: cko2@uky.edu Website:

About:
He received his Ph.D from Seoul National University in 1998, South Korea and completed his post-doctoral fellowships in the Departments of Physiology and  Chemistry at the University of Kentucky. 

Dr. Ko’s research focuses on the identification and characterization of the mediators for the actions of steroid hormones and gonadotropins during folliculogenesis in the mammalian ovary. His group has identified several important genes as the mediators of the hormone actions in the ovary, which include pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) and cytosolic thyroid hormone binding protein (cTBP) as progesterone- and FSH-responsive genes, respectively. Recent evidence from his group suggests that the newly identified genes mediate the hormone action by regulating steroid synthesis in the ovarian granulosa cells. Also, his group’s new findings indicate that oocyte is one of the major targets of steroid hormone action. The studies will provide invaluable information in developing strategies to overcome infertility problems as well as in designing better and safer contraceptives. Differential mRNA display, subtraction cloning and gene chip analysis techniques are being utilized for the identification of target genes. In situ hybridization, tissue culture, and gene knockout approaches are employed for the characterization of the identified genes using rodent animal models. All of these techniques are available to the trainees. 

Dr. Ko is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Science and the Endocrine Society.

Scholarly Interest:
Dr. Ko has been investigating the steroid and gonadotropin action during folliculogenesis in the ovary. His focus is on the identification of genes that mediate the hormone action. He has identified pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide and its receptor as progesterone responsive genes. Also of interest are several cytoskeletal genes and a thyroid hormone binding protein as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) induced genes in ovarian granulosa cells. Currently, he is developing new projects focusing on cell-type specific physiological functions of steroid receptors/coactivators in the ovary using transgenic animal models. He is supported by the COBRE and is a member of a NIH-funded reproductive training grant. He is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Science and the Endocrine Society.