Eunsuk Kim
Assistant Professor:
Chemistry
Phone: 401 863 3591
eunsuk_kim@brown.edu
The research projects in the Kim lab are in the area of bioinorganic chemistry with a goal of developing fundamental inorganic chemistry to address challenging biological and environmental problems and questions. Toward this goal, our research program will use a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from synthetic inorganic chemistry, spectroscopy, biochemistry, and toxicology.
Biography
B.S. in Chemistry (1994), Sangmyung University, Seoul, Korea
M.S. in Inorganic Chemistry (1996), Korea University, Seoul, Korea (Advisor: Ho G. Jang)
Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry (2004), Johns Hopkins University (Advisor: Kenneth D. Karlin)
Postdoctoral Fellow (2004-2005), Harvard University, School of Public Health (Advisor: Bruce Demple)
Postdoctoral Fellow (2005-2008), MIT, Biological Engineering Department (Advisor: John M. Essigmann)
Interests
[1] Iron-Sulfur Clusters in NO Signaling.
Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule that is involved in cell-cell communication, blood pressure regulation, neurotransmission, and antimicrobial activity, as well as pathologic effects such as DNA damage. Over the past ten years, several iron-sulfur containing regulatory proteins have been identified as the targets of NO, where gene transcription can be initiated upon reactions with NO. However, at present, little is known about how this modification occurs and what the modified products are. Using small synthetic molecules, we will elucidate the relevant chemistry of [Fe-S] clusters with NO in order to better understand a central dogma of [Fe-S] mediated NO signaling.
[2] Carbon Dioxide Reduction.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an excellent source of carbon and nature has ways to use it very wisely, e.g., production of glucose from CO2 by plants. However, an increased amount of CO2 can act as a harmful green house gas, much of which is constantly produced in urban countries, causing serious environmental problems. Inspired by metalloenzymes' structures and functions in dealing with CO2, we are developing biomimetic catalysts, i.e., synthetic compounds which can mimic the functions of enzymes, which can convert CO2 to useful forms of fuels such as methane and methanol.
Degrees
Ph.D.
Awards
2009 Richard B. Salomon Research Award
2008 Camille and Henry Dreyfus New Faculty Award
2007-2010 Life Sciences Research Foundation (LSRF) Postdoctoral Fellowship (w/ early retirement in 2008)
2002-2003 Martin & Mary Kilpatrick Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University
2002 Society of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines Student Award
2002 Alexander Kossiakoff Award, Johns Hopkins University
2001 Travel Grant from Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation for International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry (ICBIC)
Affiliations
American Chemical Society (Inorganic Chemistry Division)
Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry
Curriculum Vitae
