Hyung-June Woo
Assistant Professor
Theoretical and Biophysical Chemistry; Chemical Physics
B.S. (1993), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology; Ph.D. (1997), University of California, Berkeley (D. Chandler); Postdoctoral (1999–2001) Iowa State University (X. Song); Postdoctoral (2001–02), University of Massachusetts, Amherst (P. A. Monson); Postdoctoral (2002–04) Weill Medical College of Cornell University (B. Roux).
E-mail: woo![[at]](../images/at.png)
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Hyung-June Woo
Research Interests
We are primarily interested in applying statistical mechanics and molecular simulations to understand dynamical properties of condensed matter and biological systems. Our current research area includes the study of motor proteins, the molecular machines converting the chemical free energy of fuel species such as ATP into mechanical work. We aim to develop theoretical treatments based on stochastic dynamics for specific motor protein systems in the forms suitable for incorporating structural information of the protein constituents.
We also use molecular dynamics simulations and computational methodologies as tools to explore the physical aspects of the motor protein operations based on crystallographic structures. Particular emphasis is placed on connecting the structural and more coarse-grained statistical mechanical descriptions, with the simulation data to be used as input parameters for the theoretical models. Systems of current interest include actomyosins driving muscle contractions and RNA polymerases involved in transcription.
A structural representation of ATP-bound myosin head sub-domains. The relay helix (green) connects the ATP binding pocket to the converter domain (blue).
Selected Publications
“Exploration of the conformational space of myosin recovery stroke via molecular dynamics,” Woo, H.-J. Biophys. Chem. 2007, 125, 127.
“Analytical theory of the nonequilibrium spatial distribution of RNA polymerase translocations,” Woo, H.-J. Phys. Rev. E 2006, 74, 011907.
“Protein-protein interactions in actin-myosin binding and structural effects of R405Q mutation: A molecular dynamics study,” Liu, Y.; Scolari, M.; Im, W.; Woo, H.-J. Proteins 2006, 64, 156.
“Analytical theory of the stochastic dynamics of the power stroke in nonprocessive motor proteins,” Woo, H.-J.; Moss, C.L. Phys. Rev. E 2005, 72, 051924.
“Calculation of absolute protein-ligand binding free energy from computer simulations,” Woo, H.-J.; Roux, B. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 2005, 102, 6825.
“Grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations of water in protein environments,” Woo, H.-J.; Dinner, A.R.; Roux, B. J. Chem. Phys. 2004, 121, 6392.