Dr. Sunghun Park

Department: Horitculture
shpark@ksu.edu
Website

Flavonoids are biologically active polyphenolic compounds widely distributed in vegetables and fruits. Intake of flavonoids offers protection against certain cancers because of their powerful antioxidant activities, and increased flavonoid in the diet is a promising cancer chemopreventive approach. Using metabolic engineering of flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, our goal is to better understand the mechanisms regulating the biosynthesis and accumulation of flavonoid compounds, and to increase the levels of health-promoting bioactive compounds in the fruits and vegetables that people consume in substantial amounts. We will ultimately translate this knowledge into new strategies to prevent cancer.