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J. Wren Kim

@jwrenkim.bsky.social

123 followers 246 following 14 posts

Assistant Professor, Neuroscience Initiative, ASRC@GC/CUNY. Studying the crosstalk between neuronal activity and gene expression for homeostatic regulation. 김정우

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J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The ASRC Neuroscience Initiative offers a collaborative and friendly environment, with cutting-edge research infrastructure in the heart of NYC. Please share this with someone who might be interested! cuny.jobs/new-york-ny/...

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

A motivated new PI (me!) is recruiting the first member of his lab: a Research Technician. We’ll work together on exciting, modern neurobiology projects while also navigating the joys—and challenges—of setting up and maintaining a brand-new lab.

Reposted by J. Wren Kim

Neuroscience Initiative at the CUNY ASRC @asrcneuroscience.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

📣Join us on Thursday, October 8, for our next Neuroscience Seminar featuring Yale School of Medicine's Dr. Junjie Guo @junjieguo.bsky.social. He will share his insights on how C9orf72 repeat expansions drive ALS/FTD, as well as their work on identifying therapeutic targets.

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

We all look forward to your visit!!

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Reposted by J. Wren Kim

Advanced Science Research Center at the CUNY Graduate Center @asrc-gc.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The CUNY ASRC welcomes three new faculty members: Professors @jwrenkim.bsky.social, Dimitrios Sounas, and Prasad Iyer. They add expertise in photonics, artificial intelligence, nanoscience, neuroscience, and engineered wave systems to our interdisciplinary research community. bit.ly/4hkprdp

Professors J. Wren Kim, Dimitrios Sounas, and Prasad Iyer featured side by side; with varying expressions and backgrounds.

Reposted by J. Wren Kim

Neuroscience Initiative at the CUNY ASRC @asrcneuroscience.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Join us this Thursday!

Reposted by J. Wren Kim

Neuroscience Initiative at the CUNY ASRC @asrcneuroscience.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

📣Join us on September 10 for our next Neuroscience Seminar featuring Dr. Christina Kim @tinakim-neuro.bsky.social from Princeton University! She will present her work on isolating drug-activated ensembles.

Reposted by J. Wren Kim

Neuroscience Initiative at the CUNY ASRC @asrcneuroscience.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

We are delighted to welcome @jwrenkim.bsky.social to the Neuroscience Initiative at the ASRC. Dr. Kim joins us as an Assistant Professor of Biology, specializing in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at The Graduate Center. We are thrilled to have him join our research community!

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

If you are interested in our research, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, and consider applying to the GC’s Biology PhD program!

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J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I am deeply grateful to my mentors, Nick Ingolia and Ted and Valina Dawson, for their guidance and support throughout my training.

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J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

My laboratory will study how individual neurons harness cellular processes to maintain homeostatic stability within neural networks. We will continue to develop and tailor molecular tools to unravel these fundamental mechanisms.

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I am super excited to start my faculty position at the Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) and the Graduate Center at CUNY! I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues at this fantastic place for interdisciplinary research.

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

I’m excited to extend this neuronal activity state framework to understand homeostatic activity regulation across brain states and behavior in my future research!

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

We propose that neurons participating in network activity exist in distinct cellular states shaped by gene expression programs, including alternative splicing of synaptic genes. These neuronal states may reflect how neurons calibrate and maintain their function within active neuronal networks.

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Nuclear speckles—condensates important for mRNA splicing—are dynamically regulated by neuronal activity levels. Disrupting nuclear speckle integrity interfered with synchronous network bursting, revealing a functional link between activity-dependent splicing regulation and coherent network dynamics.

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

We found that neurons engaged in network activity express a gene expression program distinct from stimulus-induced IEG responses. Instead, this program prominently regulates genes involved in neuronal excitability and synaptic function, including widespread alternative splicing of synaptic genes.

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

CalTRAP is a calcium-dependent, ribosome-specific biotinylation system built on our Cal-ID proximity labeling tool. Applying CalTRAP-seq to cortical cultures showing robust synchronous burst activity allowed us to selectively profile gene expression from neurons participating in network activity.

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

This fundamental question has remained difficult to address, because it is challenging to directly link gene expression to ongoing activity levels. In our new preprint, we tackle this problem using a technology we developed called calcium-dependent ribosome tagging (CalTRAP).

J. Wren Kim @jwrenkim.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Neuronal stimulation induces immediate early genes (IEGs) such as Fos. But what about the continuous, spontaneous activity that neurons experience most of the time? Does ongoing network activity also shape gene expression? If so, which genes are regulated? www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

A Neuronal Gene Expression Program Underlying Sustained Network Activity

Neurons function within interconnected networks and must continuously adjust their firing properties to maintain stable network activity. Although these adjustments require long-lasting molecular chan...