Seminar Prof. Woon Ju Song [Seoul Nat'l Univ.] - Metalloprotein Design: From Metal Binding to Control Catalytic Activity and Excited-state Dynamics
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Date: 2026/4/30 (THU) 5pm
Venue: Science Hall B133
Abstract:
Proteins can function as evolvable multidentate ligands, imposing geometric and electronicconstraints that tune metal-centered properties beyond those accessible in small-moleculesystems. Conversely, metallocofactors can impart unique chemical and photophysicalreactivities to protein matrices. These synergistic interactions between biochemical and inorganic components can now be systematically engineered through advances in data-driven protein design and genetic code expansion, enabling the incorporation of bothcanonical and noncanonical amino acids with tailored metal-chelating functionalities. In thiswork, we demonstrate precise control over the ligand environment, enabling the formation of unconventional coordination geometries. Protein scaffolds impose structural constraints thatmodulate excited-state lifetimes. In addition, minimal metallocofactors are identified asintrinsic, genetically encodable chromophores that enable light-activated protein modification. Overall, metalloprotein design provides a versatile platform to integratecatalysis and photochemistry, offering new opportunities in artificial metalloenzymes and photocatalysis.