Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Donghyuk Kim's research lab specializes in synthetic biology, systems microbiology, and metabolic engineering, focusing on understanding and reprogramming microbial regulatory networks and metabolic pathways. The lab integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and genome-scale metabolic modeling to decipher gene regulation and carbon fixation mechanisms in bacteria, particularly in enterobacteria and acetogens. A key focus is developing advanced molecular tools—such as DNA nanotechnology-based circuits and toehold-switched amplification systems—for sensitive, point-of-care diagnostics and synthetic biological circuits that transduce protein signals into amplified nucleic acid outputs. These interdisciplinary approaches aim to enable next-generation biotechnological applications in diagnostics, metabolic engineering, and sustainable bioproduction.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Genome-wide transcription start site (TSS) profiles of the enterobacteria Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were experimentally determined through modified 5' RACE followed by deep sequencing of intact primary mRNA. This identified 3,746 and 3,143 TSSs for E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively. Experimentally determined TSSs were then used to define promoter regions and 5' UTRs upstream of coding genes. Comparative analysis of these regulatory elements revealed the use of multiple TSS
Among CO<sub>2</sub>-fixing metabolic pathways in nature, the linear Wood-Ljungdahl pathway (WLP) in phylogenetically diverse acetate-forming acetogens comprises the most energetically efficient pathway, requires the least number of reactions, and converts CO<sub>2</sub> to formate and then into acetyl-CoA. Despite two genes encoding glycine synthase being well-conserved in WLP gene clusters, the functional role of glycine synthase under autotrophic growth conditions has remained uncertain. Here
While a range of artificial biochemical circuits is likely to play a significant role in biological engineering, one of the challenges in the field is the design of circuits that can transduce between biomolecule classes (e.g., moving beyond nucleic acid only circuits). Herein, we design a transduction mechanism whereby a protein signal is transduced into an amplified nucleic acid output using DNA nanotechnology. In this system, a protein is recognized by nucleic acid bound recognition elements
This study provides insights into the transcriptomic profile of Methylomonas sp. DH-1 grown on major carbon sources for C1 assimilation, providing in-depth knowledge on the metabolic pathways of this strain. These observations and analyses can contribute to future metabolic engineering with the newly isolated, yet under-characterized, Methylomonas sp. DH-1 to enhance its biochemical application in relevant industries.
Nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, provide important fingerprint information for various pathogens and have significant diagnostic value; however, improved approaches are urgently needed to enable rapid detection of nucleic acids in simple point-of-care formats with high sensitivity and specificity. Here, we present a system that utilizes a series of toehold-triggered hybridization/displacement reactions that are designed to convert a given amount of RNA molecules (i.e., the analyte) into an amplified
While global transcription factors (TFs) have been studied extensively in Escherichia coli model strains, conservation and diversity in TF regulation between strains is still unknown. Here we use a combination of ChIP-exo-to define ferric uptake regulator (Fur) binding sites-and differential gene expression-to define the Fur regulon in nine E. coli strains. We then define a pan-regulon consisting of 469 target genes that includes all Fur target genes in all nine strains. The pan-regulon is then
Recognizing binding sites of DNA-binding proteins is a key factor for elucidating transcriptional regulation in organisms. ChIP-exo enables researchers to delineate genome-wide binding landscapes of DNA-binding proteins with near single base-pair resolution. However, the peak calling step hinders ChIP-exo application since the published algorithms tend to generate false-positive and false-negative predictions. Here, we report the development of DEOCSU (DEep-learning Optimized ChIP-exo peak calli
The ability to break up a volume of fluid into smaller pieces that are confined or separated to prevent molecular communication/transport is a key capability intrinsic to microfluidic systems. This capability has been used to develop or implement digital versions of traditional molecular analysis assays, including digital PCR and digital immunoassays/ELISA. In these digital versions, the concentration of the target analyte is in a range such that, when sampled into smaller fluid volumes, either
Genome-scale studies of the bacterial regulatory network have been leveraged by declining sequencing cost and advances in ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) methods. Of which, ChIP-exo has proven competent with its near-single base-pair resolution. While several algorithms and programs have been developed for different analytical steps in ChIP-exo data processing, there is a lack of effort in incorporating them into a convenient bioinformatics pipeline that is intuitive and publicly available.
Aptamers, oligonucleic acid or peptide molecules with binding affinity to a specific molecule, have gained broad scientific attention due to their stability, ease of production and modification, and durability, and therefore have been employed in a wide range of applications both in basic research and clinical science. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing are poised to revolutionize the selection of aptamers, while microfluidic and microarray approaches have helped automate these proces
In bacterial transcription, transcription initiation is arguably the most important regulatory point, because transcribing unnecessary genes into RNA could be a waste of energy, time and resources. There are multiple components which are involved in bacterial transcription initiation: RNA polymerase, [sigma]-factors, transcription factors, and transcription start sites. Each component has been intensively investigated, however in a limited scope and mostly with low-throughput methods. New techno
ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVAdditions and Correc...Additions and CorrectionsNEXTORIGINAL ARTICLEThis notice is a correctionCorrection to Conversion Reaction of Nanoporous ZnO for Stable Electrochemical Cycling of Binderless Si Microparticle Composite AnodeDonghyuk KimDonghyuk KimMore by Donghyuk Kim, Minkyu ParkMinkyu ParkMore by Minkyu Park, Sang-Min KimSang-Min KimMore by Sang-Min Kim, Hyung Cheoul ShimHyung Cheoul ShimMore by Hyung Cheoul Shimhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-5275-8671, Seungmi
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