Professor

Prof. Yong Ho Kim

 Yong Ho Kim is an Associate Professor of SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) & Department of Nano Engineering at the Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU). He earned his Ph.D in Department of Chemistry at University of Pennsylvania in 2011, and completed post-doctoral fellowship at M.I.T. in 2013. His lab design proteins de novo sampled from nature’s backbone fragments via computational approach.  This enables us rationally designed experimental library such as yeast display in a most efficient way to evaluate proteins with the desired function. He is also a co-founder and Vice President leading the Protein Design team at IMNEWRUN which is new model of research institute integrating best of enterprise and academics with insights and experience in an orchestrated effort. Under his leadership and in close academic collaboration with his laboratory, IMNEWRUN creates advanced technology platforms and treatment modalities to address challenging medical unmet needs. 

Education

 2005 - 2011, Ph.D. in Biochemistry,

                               University of Pennsylvania (Upenn), U.S.A.

                                : Research Advisor Prof. William F. DeGrado 

 2001 - 2003, MA in Organic Chemistry,

                               Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea 

                                : Research Advisor Prof. Sukbok Chang and Prof. Jinwoo Cheon                  

 1994 - 2001, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry,

                               Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Korea

                                : Research Advisor Prof. Young-Uk Kwon

Research Experience 

 2019 -  Present, Associate Professor, Nano Engineering,

                                   Sungkyunkwan University, Korea

 2015 -  2018, Assistant Professor, Global Biomedical Engineering,

                                   Sungkyunkwan University, Korea  

 2013 -  2014, Assistant Professor, SKKU Advanced Institute of

                                   Nanotechnology(SAINT) & Department of Chemistry,

                                   Sungkyunkwan University, Korea

 2011 -  2013,  Post-doctoral Associate,

                                   Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA 

 2004 -  2005,  Research Scientist, LG Chem Research Park, Korea

Research interests

   De novo protein design has been historically used to validate the principles governing the process of biomolecular folding and assembly. However, de novo design of proteins and peptides from physical principles may have an even greater impact when applied to recognizing and organizing nanomaterials. We pursue that nano-bio hybrid structures can be engineered to assemble in a structurally-specific manner, and this presents a promising way of addressing current limitations in nanoscale assembly. 

   We develop protein-design based on computational modeling to successfully engineer a series of hybrid structures composed of carbon-based nanomaterials and artificial proteins. In addition, our approach describe general rules for designing peptides that recognize surface lattices and further self-associate to achieve superstructure – major progress in the field of nano-assembly. This novel methodology for the construction of nano-bio hybrid materials, as well as the unique structural motifs for this purpose that we identified, suggest a promising role for proteins in nanomaterials technology.  

   In the protein material projects, we are pursuing on developing methods for top-down templating of assembled structures of protein and DNA molecules. In this work, the arrangement of biomolecules on a surface is guided by lithographically patterned features. This approach combines the fast deposition of information into materials that can be accomplished with lithography with the wealth of molecular diversity and complexity that can be accessed using organic chemistry and modern molecular biology.

Part 1. De Novo Protein design for protein drug and nanomaterials

          · Computational protein design for protein assembly and protein drug

          · Virus-like protein assemblies on carbon nanotube surfaces

          · Hierarchical protein assembly a template directing the formation of fullerene supercrystals

          · Protein assemblies on grephene surfaces

Part 2. Development of protein materials for material and biomedical applications

         · Bio-mimetic cell membrane for viral proteins

          · Information processing molecular system using biomolecules 

          · Dynamics of proteins using 2D femtosecond vibrational spectroscopy

Selected Publications