Soyoung Park

Professor Soyoung Park's research lab specializes in the development of DNA-based hybrid catalysts for enantioselective organic synthesis, focusing on merging the structural versatility of DNA with the catalytic power of transition metal complexes. The lab pioneers innovative strategies for covalent integration of metal-binding ligands into DNA backbones, enabling precise control over stereochemistry and reactivity in key transformations such as Friedel-Crafts alkylation and Diels-Alder reactions. A central theme is understanding how the helical chirality and local architecture of DNA influence catalytic enantioselectivity, with applications in sustainable and selective synthesis of chiral compounds. The lab also explores functional DNA analogues for advanced sensing, including fluorescent probes for Z-DNA detection.