World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Biology and Biochemistry

D-Index
67
Citations
13802
World Ranking
8332
National Ranking
77

Overview

Kyoungwhan Back is affiliated with Chonnam National University in South Korea and has contributed extensively to the fields of Agricultural and Biological Sciences and Neuroscience. Their research primarily focuses on Plant Science and Endocrine and Autonomic Systems, with additional work in Molecular Biology, Aging, and Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment.

Their recent publications demonstrate a sustained interest in melatonin and its roles in plants. Key papers include:

  • Melatonin metabolism, signaling and possible roles in plants, 2020, The Plant Journal
  • The phytomelatonin receptor (PMRT1) Arabidopsis Cand2 is not a bona fide G protein-coupled melatonin receptor, 2020, Melatonin Research
  • Melatonin Regulates Chloroplast Protein Quality Control via a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway, 2021, Antioxidants
  • 2-Hydroxymelatonin, Rather Than Melatonin, Is Responsible for RBOH-Dependent Reactive Oxygen Species Production Leading to Premature Senescence in Plants, 2021, Antioxidants
  • Effects of Light Quality and Phytochrome Form on Melatonin Biosynthesis in Rice, 2020, Biomolecules

The frequent co-authors collaborating with Kyoungwhan Back are:

  • Hyoung Yool Lee
  • Ok Jin Hwang
  • Kyungjin Lee
  • Geun-Hee Choi
  • Kiyoon Kang

Publication venues they frequently contribute to include:

  • Antioxidants
  • Biomolecules
  • Melatonin Research
  • The Plant Journal
  • Journal of Experimental Botany

Their research topics broadly encompass:

  • Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Plant Molecular Biology Research
  • Light effects on plants
  • Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
  • Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
  • Seed Germination and Physiology
  • Algal biology and biofuel production

Kyoungwhan Back's work spans experimental and theoretical approaches related to melatonin signaling in plants, the impact of light on melatonin biosynthesis, and the molecular biology of plants with implications for aging and physiological processes. Their research integrates aspects of plant physiology, molecular signaling pathways, and environmental influences on plant health and development.

Best Publications

  • Structural Basis for Cyclic Terpene Biosynthesis by Tobacco 5-Epi-Aristolochene Synthase

    Courtney M. Starks;Kyoungwhan Back;Kyoungwhan Back;Joseph Chappell;Joseph Chappell;Joseph P. Noel;Joseph P. Noel

  • Melatonin biosynthesis in plants: multiple pathways catalyze tryptophan to melatonin in the cytoplasm or chloroplasts

    Kyoungwhan Back;Dun Xian Tan;Russel J. Reiter

  • On the significance of an alternate pathway of melatonin synthesis via 5-methoxytryptamine: comparisons across species

    Dun Xian Tan;Rüdiger Hardeland;Kyoungwhan Back;Lucien C. Manchester

  • Melatonin as a signal molecule triggering defense responses against pathogen attack in Arabidopsis and tobacco.

    Hyoung Yool Lee;Yeong Byeon;Kyoungwhan Back

  • Characterization of rice tryptophan decarboxylases and their direct involvement in serotonin biosynthesis in transgenic rice.

    Sei Kang;Kiyoon Kang;Kyungjin Lee;Kyoungwhan Back

  • Melatonin-rich transgenic rice plants exhibit resistance to herbicide-induced oxidative stress

    Sangkyu Park;Da-Eun Lee;Hyunki Jang;Yeong Byeon

  • Arabidopsis serotonin N-acetyltransferase knockout mutant plants exhibit decreased melatonin and salicylic acid levels resulting in susceptibility to an avirulent pathogen.

    Hyoung Yool Lee;Yeong Byeon;Dun Xian Tan;Russel J. Reiter

  • Melatonin promotes seminal root elongation and root growth in transgenic rice after germination.

    Sangkyu Park;Kyoungwhan Back

  • Melatonin synthesis in rice seedlings in vivo is enhanced at high temperatures and under dark conditions due to increased serotonin N-acetyltransferase and N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase activities.

    Yeong Byeon;Kyoungwhan Back

  • Molecular cloning of a plant N‐acetylserotonin methyltransferase and its expression characteristics in rice

    Kiyoon Kang;Kyoungjin Kong;Sangkyu Park;Uyanga Natsagdorj

  • Senescence-Induced Serotonin Biosynthesis and Its Role in Delaying Senescence in Rice Leaves

    Kiyoon Kang;Young-Soon Kim;Sangkyu Park;Kyoungwhan Back

  • Enhanced production of melatonin by ectopic overexpression of human serotonin N-acetyltransferase plays a role in cold resistance in transgenic rice seedlings

    Kiyoon Kang;Kyungjin Lee;Sangkyu Park;Young Soon Kim

  • Molecular cloning of rice serotonin N-acetyltransferase, the penultimate gene in plant melatonin biosynthesis

    Kiyoon Kang;Kyungjin Lee;Sangkyu Park;Yeong Byeon

  • Cloning and Bacterial Expression of a Sesquiterpene Cyclase from Hyoscyamus muticus and Its Molecular Comparison to Related Terpene Cyclases (

    Kyoungwhan Back;Joseph Chappell

  • An increase in melatonin in transgenic rice causes pleiotropic phenotypes, including enhanced seedling growth, delayed flowering, and low grain yield

    Yeong Byeon;Kyoungwhan Back

  • Constitutively wilted 1, a member of the rice YUCCA gene family, is required for maintaining water homeostasis and an appropriate root to shoot ratio.

    Young-Min Woo;Hee-Jin Park;Hee-Jin Park;Mukhamad Su’udi;Jung-Il Yang

  • Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase is involved in the synthesis of melatonin by methylating N-acetylserotonin in Arabidopsis.

    Yeong Byeon;Hyoung Yool Lee;Kyungjin Lee;Kyoungwhan Back

  • Characterization of tryptamine 5-hydroxylase and serotonin synthesis in rice plants.

    S. Kang;K. Kang;K. Lee;K. Back

  • Melatonin metabolism, signaling and possible roles in plants.

    Kyoungwhan Back

  • Melatonin is required for H2 O2 - and NO-mediated defense signaling through MAPKKK3 and OXI1 in Arabidopsis thaliana.

    Hyoung Yool Lee;Kyoungwhan Back

Frequent Co-Authors

Russel J. Reiter
Russel J. Reiter The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Dun Xian Tan
Dun Xian Tan The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Hwan Mook Kim
Hwan Mook Kim Gachon University
Gynheung An
Gynheung An Kyung Hee University
Bernhard Grimm
Bernhard Grimm Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
In-Jung Lee
In-Jung Lee Kyungpook National University
Nilda R. Burgos
Nilda R. Burgos University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Doil Choi
Doil Choi Seoul National University
Jeong Sheop Shin
Jeong Sheop Shin Korea University
Dieter Strack
Dieter Strack Leibniz Association

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

If you’re exploring Biology and Biochemistry, there are many related online degrees and career opportunities to consider. Fields like pharmacy, exercise science, kinesiology, and mental health are all in high demand and offer flexible study options.

For those interested in medication development or patient care, an online pharmacy school can lead to careers as a licensed pharmacist or in pharmaceutical research. Meanwhile, if you have a passion for movement and wellness, earning your exercise science degree online provides a solid scientific foundation in human physiology and prepares graduates for jobs in fitness, coaching, or rehabilitation.

The best online kinesiology degree options prepare students for careers analyzing human motion, improving athletic performance, or addressing mobility issues. Additionally, with rising mental health needs, earning credentials through pmhnp online programs (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) allows you to support mental wellness as a nurse practitioner.

These interdisciplinary paths complement studies in Biology and Biochemistry, offering flexible ways to expand your skills and career prospects in healthcare and the life sciences.

Best Scientists Citing Kyoungwhan Back

Trending Scientists