Korea University · Chemistry
Professor Kihang Choi's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of functional macrocyclic receptors and fluorescent probes for sensing biological and chemical species with high selectivity and sensitivity. The lab focuses on anion recognition using tailored macrocycles with unique binding cavities, as well as developing ratiometric fluorescent probes—particularly coumarin-based—for real-time monitoring of redox molecules like glutathione in live stem cells. Their work bridges supramolecular chemistry, chemical biology, and biomedical sensing, with applications in understanding cellular redox regulation and ribosomal function. The lab also investigates molecular interactions in complex biological systems, such as peptide–ribosome interactions, using photo-cross-linking techniques.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Supersized pores: A new mesoporous metal–organic framework that is mainly composed of Tb3+ ions and tripodal carboxylate ligands has cages of 3.9 and 4.7 nm in diameter (see picture). The evacuated framework is robust and can accommodate gases or ferrocene molecules, as verified by gas-sorption measurements and luminescence studies.
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional mammalian protein with transamidase and signaling properties. Using selective TG2 inhibitors and tagged nucleophilic amine substrates, we show that the majority of extracellular TG2 is inactive under normal physiological conditions in cell culture and in vivo. However, abundant TG2 activity was detected around the wound in a standard cultured fibroblast scratch assay. To demonstrate wounding-induced activation of TG2 in vivo, the toll-like receptor 3
A macrocycle containing an aminocoumarin fluorophore showed two different fluorescence emission bands on binding with certain anions. Proton transfer from the fluorophore excited state occurred depending on the basicity of the bound anion (see scheme, A<sup>-</sup> : anion) and this new pathway makes more-sensitive anion sensing possible.
Ni nanoparticles embedded in the pores of a mesoporous MOF (MesMOF-1) act as a catalyst for hydrogenolysis of nitrobenzene or hydrogenation of styrene.
The cyclic triamide of 3'-amino-3-biphenylcarboxlic acid is readily synthesized in a stepwise manner and represents a novel class of anion receptors with a large central cavity. This macrocycle binds more strongly to tetrahedral anions than spherical or planar anions in organic solvents. The binding stoichiometries for anions with symmetrical charge distribution depend on the solvent polarity, while tetrahedral p-tosylate binds to the macrocycle with 1:1 stoichiometry in all solvents studied. Th
The core functions of stem cells (SCs) are critically regulated by their cellular redox status. Glutathione is the most abundant non-protein thiol functioning as an antioxidant and a redox regulator. However, an investigation into the relationship between glutathione-mediated redox capacity and SC activities is hindered by lack of probe. Here, we demonstrate that cyanoacrylamide-based coumarin derivatives are ratiometric probes suitable for the real-time monitoring of glutathione levels in livin
As part of a programme to investigate the path of the nascent peptide through the large ribosomal subunit, peptides of different lengths (up to 30 amino acids), corresponding to the signal peptide sequence and N-terminal region of the Escherichia coli ompA protein, were synthesized in situ on E.coli ribosomes. The peptides each carried a diazirine moiety attached to their N-terminus which, after peptide synthesis, was photoactivated so as to induce cross-links to the 23S rRNA. The results showed
Ein Makrocyclus mit einem Aminocumarin-Fluorophor zeigt nach Bindung bestimmter Anionen zwei Fluoreszenzemissionsbanden. Ein Protonentransfer vom angeregten Zustand des Fluorophors erfolgt in Abhängigkeit von der Basizität des gebundenen Anions (siehe Schema, A− = Anion), was einen empfindlicheren Anionennachweis ermöglicht. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.angewandte.com or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the con
New chiral derivatizing agents have been prepared through a simple, short-step synthesis. The absolute configuration of α-chiral carboxylic acids can be assigned on the basis of the NMR chemical shift difference between diastereomeric esters. Because of the modular structures of the agents, the anisotropic effect could be easily manipulated to afford large chemical shift differences even in polar solvents.
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