Kidon Sung Ph.D.
Staff Fellow — Division of Microbiology
Kidon Sung, Ph.D.
(870) 543-7121
NCTRResearch@fda.hhs.gov
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About | Publications | Lab Members
Background
Dr. Kidon Sung graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in food science and technology from the Kangwon National University, South Korea. Dr. Sung then earned a Ph.D. with a focus on food safety from the University of Georgia. He studied a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay to detect viable Campylobacter jejuni during graduate school. Dr. Sung joined the Division of Microbiology at FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), as a postdoctoral research fellow and later moved into a research microbiologist staff fellow role. Dr. Sung is a recipient of the Ambassadorial Scholar of International Rotary Club (1998), the Developing Scientist Award of the International Association for Food Protection (2002), the FDA Group Recognition Award (2007), the FDA Excellence in Laboratory Science Group Award (2009, 2015), the NCTR Special Act Award (2018), and the NCTR Director's Award (2024).
Research Interests
Antimicrobial resistance stands as one of the gravest global public health challenges of the 21st century. In the United States alone, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria contribute to at least 2.8 million infections and 35,000 fatalities annually. This resistance undermines the effectiveness of the human immune system against infectious diseases and exacerbates complications in vulnerable patients undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy, dialysis, surgery, and joint replacement. Notably, methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) exemplifies the dire consequences of antimicrobial resistance, leading to high mortality rates worldwide. Moreover, the rise of multi-drug resistant Gram-negative pathogens further complicates the treatment of ailments like pneumonia and urinary tract infections.
In response to these challenges, nanomaterials have emerged as promising tools in the fight against deadly bacterial infections. Utilizing nanoparticle-based strategies offers a potential solution to overcome the obstacles posed by traditional antimicrobials, including antibiotic resistance. Our project aims to investigate the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity properties of nanoparticles synthesized through pulsed laser ablation in liquid, as well as nanostructured surfaces synthesized via hot-water treatment technique.
The insights gained from this research endeavor hold significant implications for regulatory guidance and decision-making at FDA regarding nanomaterial products with antimicrobial attributes. Furthermore, the data generated from this study could inform the development of risk assessment models and the design of management practices for multidrug-resistant bacteria encountered in human medicine, using nanomaterials as a potential solution.
Dr. Sung is also interested in understanding the mechanisms of biofilm resistance to antibiotics, molecularly characterizing antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, and developing methods for the detection of foodborne pathogens.
Professional Societies/National and International Groups
FDA Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs), Bacterial Detection and ID
Member
2018 – Present
American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
Member
2003 – Present
International Association for Food Protection (IAFP)
Member
2001 – Present
Selected Publications
Synthesis of Antibacterial Copper Oxide Nanoparticles by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids: Potential Application against Foodborne Pathogens.
Hesabizadeh T., Sung K., Park M., Foley S., Paredes A., Blisset S., and Guisbiers G.
Nanomaterials. 2023, 13(15), 2206.
Concentration-Dependent Global Quantitative Proteome Response of Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A Biofilms to Subinhibitory Tigecycline.
Sung K., Park M., Kweon O., Khan S.A., Paredes A., and Shen A.
Cells. 2022, 11(21), 3488.
Detection of Campylobacter jejuni from Fresh Produce: Comparison of Culture- and PCR-based Techniques, and Metagenomic Approach for Analyses of the Microbiome before and after Enrichment.
Chon J.W., Jung J.Y., Ahn Y., Bae D., Khan S., Seo K.H., Kim H., and Sung K.
J Food Prot. 2021, 84(10):1704-1712.
Dynamic Adaptive Response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Clindamycin/Rifampicin-Impregnated Catheters.
Sung K., Chon J.W., Kweon O., Nho S., Kim S.J., Park M., Paredes A., Lim J.H., Khan S., Phillips K.S., and Cerniglia C.E.
Antibiotics (Basel). 2021, 10(7):752.
Detection of Campylobacter jejuni from Fresh Produce: Comparison of Culture- and PCR-Based Techniques, and Metagenomic Approach for Analyses of the Microbiome Before and After Enrichment.
Chon J.W., Jung J.Y., Ahn Y., Bae D., Khan S., Seo K.H., Kim H., and Sung K.
Journal of Food Protection. 2021, doi: 10.4315/JFP-20-408.
Virulence Characteristics of mecA-Positive Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci.
Chon J.W., Lee U.J., Bensen R., West S., Paredes A., Lim J., Khan S., Hart M., Phillips K.S., and Sung K.
Microorganissms. 2020, 8(5):659.
Genotypic Characterization of ESBL-Producing E. coli from Imported Meat in South Korea.
Kim Y., Moon J., Oh D., Chon J., Song B., Lim J., Heo E., Park H., Wee S., and Sung K.
Food Res Int. 2018, 107:158-164.
Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo Risk Assessments of Chitosan Microparticles Using Human Epithelial Cells and Caenorhabditis Elegans.
Ma Z., Garrido-Maestu A., Lee C., Chon J., Jeong D., Yue Y., Sung K., Park Y., and Jeong K.
J Hazard Mater. 2018, 341:248-256.
Prevalence, Toxin Gene Profile, Antibiotic Resistance, and Molecular Characterization of Clostridium Perfringens from Diarrheic and Non-Diarrheic Dogs in Korea.
Chon J., Seo K., Bae D., Park H., Park J., Khan S., and Sung K.
J Vet Sci. 2018, 19(3):368-374.
Investigating the Susceptibility of Mice to a Bacterial Challenge after Intravenous Exposure to Durable Nanoparticles.
Khan S., Zhang Q., Marasa B., Sung K., Cerniglia C., Ingle T., Jones Y., Paredes A., Tobin G., Bancos S., Weaver J., Goering P., Howard P., Patri A., and Tyner K.
Nanomedicine (Lond). 2017, 12(17):2097-2111.
Evaluation of Cephamycins as Supplements to Selective Agar for Detecting Campylobacter spp. in Chicken Carcass Rinses.
Chon J., Kim Y., Kim H., Kim D., Song K., Sung K., and Seo K.
Int J Food Microbiol. 2016, 223:75–78.
Characterization of Novel Mutations Involved in Quinolone Resistance in Escherichia Coli Isolated from Imported Shrimp.
Nawaz M., Sung K., Kweon O., Khan S., Nawaz S., and Steele R.
Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2015, 45(5):471-476.
Molecular Characterization, Antibiotic Resistance, and Virulence Factors of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains Isolated from Imported Meat in Korea.
Kim Y., Oh D., Song B., Heo E., Lim J., Moon J., Park H., Wee S., and Sung K.
Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2015, 12(5):390-398.
Molecular Characterization of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Aeromonas spp. Isolated from Imported Shrimp.
Shakir Z., Khan S., Sung K., Khare S., Khan A., Steele R., and Nawaz M.
Appl Environ Microbiol. 2012, 78(22):8137-41.
Effect of Sterilized Human Fecal Extract on the Sensitivity of Escherichia Coli ATCC 25922 to Enrofloxacin.
Ahn Y., Sung K., Rafii F., and Cerniglia C.
J Antibiot. 2012, 65(4):179-84.
Lysozyme as a Barrier to Growth of Bacillus Anthracis Strain Sterne in Liquid Egg White, Milk and Beef.
Sung K., Khan S., Nawaz M., Cerniglia C., Tamplin M., Phillips R., and Kelly L.
Food Microbiol. 2011, 28(6):1231-1234.
Detection of aacA-aphD, qacEδ1, marA, floR, and tetA Genes from Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria: Comparative Analysis of Real-Time Multiplex PCR Assays Using EvaGreen® and SYBR® Green I Dyes.
Khan S., Sung K., and Nawaz M.
Mol Cell Probes. 2011, 25(2-3):78-86.
The Survivability of Bacillus Anthracis (Stern Strain) in Processed Liquid Eggs.
Khan S., Sung K., Nawaz M., Cerniglia C., Tamplin M., Phillips R., and Kelly L.
Food Microbiol. 2009, 26(2):23–127.
Genetic Diversity of Tn1546-Like Elements in Clinical Isolates of Vancomycin-Resistant Enteroccoci.
Sung K., Khan S., and Nawaz M.
Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2008, 31(6):549-554.
Heteroresistance to Vancomycin and Novel Point Mutations in Tn1546 of Enterococcus Faecium ATCC 51559.
Khan S., Sung K., Layton S., and Nawaz M.
Int J Food Microbiol. 2008, 31(1):27-36.
Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Tetracycline-Resistant Aeromonas Veronii Isolates from Catfish.
Nawaz M., Sung K., Khan S., Khan A., and Steele R.
Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006, 72(10):6461-6466.
Heat-Treated Campylobacter spp. and mRNA Stability as Determined by Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).
Sung K., Hiett K., and Stern N.
Foodborne Pathog. Dis. 2005, 2(2):130-137.
Relationship of Messenger RNA Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction Signal to Campylobacter spp. Viability.
Sung K., Stern N., and Hiett K.
Avian Dis. 2004, 48(2):254-262.
Lab Members
Contact information for all lab members:
(870) 543-7121
NCTRResearch@fda.hhs.gov
Miseon Park
Staff Fellow
- Contact Information
- Kidon Sung
- (870) 543-7121
- Expertise
-
ExpertiseApproachDomainTechnology & DisciplineToxicology