Song, Woon Ju

Woon Ju Song is an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at Seoul National University. Their research focuses on interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, and protein engineering. They utilize spectroscopic, kinetic, thermodynamic, and biochemical techniques to investigate the chemical reactions of metalloproteins and metalloenzymes. The laboratory aims to design and synthesize metal/protein-based biocatalysts and biomaterials for applications in biological systems. Additionally, they explore bioinorganic tools to regulate processes such as antibiotic resistance and carbon fixation.

Woon Ju Song is an associate professor specializing in bioinorganic chemistry, with a focus on metalloenzyme mechanisms and protein design. Their research explores the reactivity of high-valent iron and manganese complexes, particularly in cytochrome P450 model reactions and dioxygen activation pathways. Song's work also investigates artificial metalloenzymes and the role of metal coordination in protein assemblies. By combining synthetic chemistry with structural biology, they aim to understand and engineer enzymes for catalytic applications. Their studies highlight the importance of metal selectivity, scaffold flexibility, and interfacial metal coordination in enzyme function.