Ewha Womans University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Youngjoo Kwon's research lab focuses on molecular oncology and chemical biology, with a central emphasis on identifying and targeting critical molecular mechanisms in aggressive cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The lab investigates transcriptional regulation, DNA repair enzymes like topoisomerases, and hypoxia-driven angiogenesis pathways to develop novel therapeutic strategies. By integrating synthetic chemistry, structural biology, and cancer cell biology, the lab designs small-molecule inhibitors and transcription factor mimics to selectively disrupt oncogenic signaling. Their work also explores the structural and functional consequences of plasma protein modifications, particularly in human serum albumin, relevant to drug stability and delivery.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Breast cancer accounts for 25% of all types of cancer in women, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises around 15~20% of breast cancers. Conventional chemotherapy and radiation are the primary systemic therapeutic strategies; no other FDA-approved targeted therapies are yet available as for TNBC. TNBC is generally characterized by a poor prognosis and high rates of proliferation and metastases. Due to these aggressive features and lack of targeted therapies, numerous attempts have bee
Regulation of gene expression by transcription factors touches many aspects of eukaryotic biology, and its systematic, external control by organic molecules represents a challenge in chemistry. Here we report the design of a completely organic, nonpeptidic compound that mimics a transcription factor. The design takes advantage of the specific DNA-binding affinity of a hairpin polyamide molecule and the ability of wrenchnolol to bind to the Sur-2 subunit of human mediator complex. The hybrid comp
Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in the human body. HSA injections prepared by fractionating human blood have mainly covered the demand for albumin to treat hypoalbuminemia, the state of low concentration of albumin in blood. HSA in solution may exist in various forms such as monomers, oligomers, polymers, or as mixtures, and its conformational change and/or aggregation may occur easily. Considering these characteristics, there is a great chance of modification and polymer
Open papers in the app to read, cite, and organize with AI.
