Hoi Sung Chung, Ph.D.
Senior Investigator
Single-Molecule Biophysics Section, Laboratory of Chemical Physics
NIDDK
Research Topics
Single Protein Conformational Dynamics: Folding, Binding, and Aggregation of Disordered Proteins
We study conformational dynamics of proteins using single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy. Especially, we focus on intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that are closely related to various human diseases. The primary goal of our research is to understand the mechanisms of binding and aggregation processes of IDPs.
- Understanding binding mechanism of IDPs. We try to understand the mechanistic details of binding: how molecular conformations evolve when two molecules approach to each other, make a contact, and form a bound complex. This information is contained in the moment of binding that can be probed only by single molecule spectroscopy.
- Characterization of protein aggregation. Protein aggregates and oligomers are thought to be implicated in the development of various neurodegenerative diseases. However, oligomerization and aggregation have been extremely difficult to study due to the heterogeneity of the process. Single molecule spectroscopy can effectively characterize this complicated process by detecting individual molecular species without separation.
Postdoctoral Positions
Postdoctoral positions are available. To apply email a CV, bibliography, brief summary of research accomplishments, and the names of references.
Biography
- Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2007
- M.S., Seoul National University, 2000
- B.S., Seoul National University, 1998
Selected Publications
- Meng F, Kim JY, Gopich IV, Chung HS. Single-molecule FRET and molecular diffusion analysis characterize stable oligomers of amyloid-β 42 of extremely low population. PNAS Nexus. 2023;2(8):pgad253.
- Meng F, Yoo J, Chung HS. Single-molecule fluorescence imaging and deep learning reveal highly heterogeneous aggregation of amyloid-β 42. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022;119(12):e2116736119.
- Kim JY, Chung HS. Disordered proteins follow diverse transition paths as they fold and bind to a partner. Science. 2020;368(6496):1253-1257.
- Yoo J, Kim JY, Louis JM, Gopich IV, Chung HS. Fast three-color single-molecule FRET using statistical inference. Nat Commun. 2020;11(1):3336.
- Kim JY, Meng F, Yoo J, Chung HS. Diffusion-limited association of disordered protein by non-native electrostatic interactions. Nat Commun. 2018;9(1):4707.
Related Scientific Focus Areas
Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics
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This page was last updated on Thursday, October 3, 2024