Korea University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Cheulhee Jung's research lab specializes in DNA nanotechnology and molecular programming, focusing on the design of programmable DNA-based devices for diagnostics and synthetic biology. Key research directions include the development of autonomous DNA walkers for signal amplification and computation, the engineering of pH- and toehold-responsive molecular circuits, and the creation of isothermal amplification methods for sensitive nucleic acid detection. The lab also explores fundamental mechanisms of early molecular replication, linking synthetic DNA systems to origins of life hypotheses. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge chemistry, nanotechnology, and systems biology to create smart, responsive molecular systems with practical applications in biosensing and diagnostics.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
CONSPECTUS: While the field of DNA computing and molecular programming was engendered in large measure as a curiosity-driven exercise, it has taken on increasing importance for analytical applications. This is in large measure because of the modularity of DNA circuitry, which can serve as a programmable intermediate between inputs and outputs. These qualities may make nucleic acid circuits useful for making decisions relevant to diagnostic applications. This is especially true given that nucleic
We designed and demonstrated a single-legged or unipedal walker that has a "cleat" that allows it to persistently associate with a track and make autonomous decisions about movement. The walker is highly processive over long periods of time, as shown by its movement over a microparticle surface suffused with substrate. The simple design can be readily optimized on the basis of simple energetic considerations. The walker can be used for signal amplification and should prove especially valuable fo
We have now constructed a four-legged DNA walker based on toehold exchange reactions whose movement is controlled by alternating pH changes. A well-characterized, pH-responsive CG-C<sup>+</sup> triplex DNA was embedded into a tetrameric catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) walker. The proton-controlled walker could autonomously move on otherwise unprogrammed microparticles surface, and the walking rate and steps of walking were efficiently controlled by pH. The starting and stopping of the walker, a
An iTPA (isothermal target and signaling probe amplification) method for the quantitative detection of nucleic acids, based on a combination of novel ICA (isothermal chain amplification) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer cycling probe technology (FRET CPT), is described. In the new ICA method, which relies on the strand displacement activity of DNA polymerase and the RNA degrading activity of RNase H, two displacement events occur in the presence of four specially designed primers. This
A simple, highly efficient immobilization method to fabricate DNA microarrays, that utilizes gold nanoparticles as the mediator, has been developed. The fabrication method begins with electrostatic attachment of amine-modified DNA to gold nanoparticles. The resulting gold-DNA complexes are immobilized on conventional amine or aldehyde functionalized glass slides. By employing gold nanoparticles as the immobilization mediator, implementation of this procedure yields highly homogeneous microarrays
Self-priming amplification of oligonucleotides is possible based on foldback of 3' ends, self-priming, and concatemerization, especially in the presence of phosphorothioate linkages. Such a simple replicative mechanism may have led to the accumulation of specific replicators at or near the origin of life. To determine how early replicators may have competed with one another, we have carried out selections with phosphorothiolated hairpins appended to a short random sequence library (N10). Upon th
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