Professor Lee Jae-sung of Incheon National University's Department of Oceanography, recipient of the 36th Outstanding Scientific and Technological Paper Award in 2026

Identifying the Mechanisms of Cold Stress Adaptation in Pacific Oysters… Contributing to Research on Climate Change Responses in Aquatic Organisms

Professor Lee Jae-sung of the Department of Oceanography at Incheon National University (INU), led by President Injae Lee, received the 36th Outstanding Scientific and Technological Paper Award at the 60th anniversary ceremony of the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST), held at the Korea Science and Technology Center on September 30.

The award-winning paper, titled “Comparative Analysis of Transcriptomic and Biochemical Responses in Cold-Tolerant and Cold-Sensitive Pacific Oysters Exposed to Acute Low Temperatures,” was published in Volume 21, Issue 4 of Molecular & Cellular Toxicology, an SCIE-indexed international journal published by the Korean Society of Toxicogenomics and Toxicoproteomics.

The study compared transcriptomic and biochemical responses between cold-tolerant and cold-sensitive groups of Pacific oysters, one of Korea's major aquaculture species, when exposed to sudden drops in water temperature during winter. While previous research on environmental stress in Pacific oysters has largely focused on heat stress, this study examined cold stress, an area that has received relatively limited research attention. The researchers identified that the regulation of the immune system, antioxidant and stress defense mechanisms, and various families of heat shock proteins (Hsps) is closely associated with cold adaptation in Pacific oysters, providing molecular insights into cold tolerance.

As cold waves and sudden declines in water temperature continue to cause damage to oyster farms each winter, this research is significant in advancing our understanding of how aquatic organisms adapt to extreme environmental conditions associated with climate change. The findings also establish a foundation for future research into identifying molecular markers associated with cold tolerance, selective breeding, and environmental risk assessment.

Professor Lee Jae-sung has maintained an active research career, publishing approximately 250 papers in international academic journals. He also contributes to academic advancement as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Marine Life Science, a journal published by the Korean Society of Marine Life Science and indexed in Korea's academic journal database. In addition, he continues to investigate environmental stress responses and adaptation mechanisms in various marine organisms, contributing to research aimed at addressing changes in marine environments.