Professor Kang Chang-gu's team in Applied Biology, which solved the warning color mystery, published a paper on the cover of Science

On an April afternoon marked by lingering cold, I had the privilege of meeting Professor Kang Changku, a distinguished member of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemistry at Seoul National University. Professor Kang has made significant contributions to the field, notably solving a longstanding mystery regarding the evolution of warning colors in animals. His groundbreaking research on this subject was featured as the cover paper in the March 2023 issue of Science.

Currently, Professor Kang is immersed in the study of insect ecology and evolution at the Insect Ecology Lab, with a specific focus on the color patterns of insects and animals. He highlights that many creatures employ diverse defense strategies to protect themselves from predators.

When asked about the motivation behind his thesis topic, Professor Kang shared that his interest in animal defense strategies dates back to his doctoral studies. He delved into the study of camouflage, protective, and warning colors, discovering that protective colors serve multiple purposes. For instance, some frogs, such as fire-bellid toads, exhibit camouflage colors but selectively display warning colors when threatened. Professor Kang's research revealed an evolutionary history of the evolution of camouflage and warning coloration in amphibians, shedding light on the reasons behind their development.

The study unveiled a mystery in evolutionary biology—how warningly-colored individuals initially evolved in the history of amphibians. Unlike camouflage, warning colors require the learning of signals by predators, making their early expression disadvantageous for survival. Professor Kang's research disclosed an intermediate evolutionary stage where animals had camouflage colors but selectively exhibited warning colors in dangerous situations.

Discussing the challenges faced during the research process, Professor Kang noted the limited information available in the analysis of over 8,000 amphibians worldwide. To compensate, the team collected information from internet-posted photos, emphasizing the need to identify hidden colors realistically.

While there have been various hypotheses regarding the evolution of warning colors, this study holds particular significance as it not only presented evidence for a previously unknown path but also introduced a new hypothesis that does not entirely negate existing ones. The investigation focused on the evolution of warning colors in amphibians, yet many other animal classifications also employ such colors. Whether these animals follow a similar pattern in the evolution of warning colors remains unknown. The laboratory is currently conducting an integrated study to assess the applicability of hypotheses beyond amphibians.

When asked about his feelings regarding the selection of his research as a Science cover paper, he expressed, 'I'm grateful that I can achieve meaningful results by conducting my favorite research. I find it hard to believe that it has been published in a reputable journal; this serves as an additional motivation, and I am genuinely pleased.' Additionally, it was noted that following the selection of the Science cover paper, numerous new research opportunities arose, with substantial contact from both domestic and overseas researchers. This surge in interest is expected to open avenues for diverse studies.

Recently, the boundaries between fields in science have blurred, prompting many in biology majors to explore the integration of new research subjects or methologies such as the adoption of machine learning with engineering for research purposes. This trend is anticipated to gain momentum in future research, with existing methods evolving technically through integration with various fields. Professor Kang advises students that cultivating expertise in their research field and staying abreast of evolving technologies in methodology will enable them to conduct more meaningful research.

In conclusion, Professor Kang encouraged students to pursue research in their desired fields within the College of Agricultural Life Sciences, expressing hope that opportunities, including involvement in undergraduate research, would guide them towards a research-oriented path.