Biomedical Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program
(B-SURE)
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA)
KIM, Chongwoo
A. (Biochemistry): Polycomb Group (PcG) proteins
exist as large complex structures and repress transcription by altering
chromatin configuration. Their proper function is essential for development,
controlling normal cell growth and stem cell function. Though the
importance of PcG proteins is well established, the molecular mechanisms
of PcG function remain largely unknown. Our goal is to understand
the mechanism of PcG proteins at the molecular level by high resolution
structure determination and biochemical characterization of its various
functions so that we can understand the molecular events that contribute
to their biology. We will use biophysical tools such as X-ray crystallography
and NMR spectroscopy to determine the three dimensional structures of protein
domains involved in the assembly of the various PcG complexes. Hypotheses
generated by the structures will be tested in established biochemical and
in vivo functional assays to correlate the structure to PcG biology.
Fundamental understanding of Polycomb Group function cannot be achieved
without knowing the roles played by individual factors involved in their
assembly. Structure/function studies of PcG proteins will provide
a more complete and detailed understanding how these protein complexes
silence gene expression.
Chongwoo Kim's Web Page.