Young-Jin Kim | Structural Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Young-Jin Kim | Structural Biology | Best Researcher Award

Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) | South Korea

Author Profiles

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Orcid ID

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Young-jin Kim’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in chemistry, completing a Bachelor of Science at Sungkyunkwan University, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. in Chemistry at KAIST, Korea. His early research pursuits were rooted in structural studies related to immunity, where he contributed significantly to understanding how structural integrity impacts infectious disease progression. These formative years not only provided rigorous training in molecular and structural biology but also shaped his focus toward the intricate dynamics of protein structures.

Professional Endeavors

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Kim pursued postdoctoral training at KAIST and later at the prestigious Rockefeller University, USA, under the mentorship of renowned structural biologists. These experiences expanded his expertise in advanced structural biology techniques such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM). Currently, as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Dr. Kim leads a research group investigating membrane protein structures and their physiological relevance.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Kim’s research has centered on unraveling the mechanisms of ABC and SLC transporters—membrane proteins that play pivotal roles in drug resistance and cellular homeostasis. Notably, his groundbreaking discovery of the occluded conformation of human P-glycoprotein was a first in the field, advancing global understanding of drug efflux mechanisms. His ongoing projects include exploring the structural basis of multidrug resistance and elucidating plant circadian clock proteins through Cryo-EM and protein engineering approaches. Recent accomplishments include identifying the human OAT1 structure and its chloride-dependent drug transport mechanism, published in Structure (2025).

Impact and Influence

Dr. Kim’s work has had profound implications for both fundamental science and translational medicine. His structural studies on membrane transporters provide critical insights into drug design, particularly for overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer and infectious diseases. Beyond the laboratory, Dr. Kim has been an active contributor to the scientific community, serving as a committee member for the Women’s Life Science and Technology Forum and frequently delivering invited talks at prestigious conferences, workshops, and universities.

Academic Citations and Recognition

Dr. Kim’s contributions are reflected in his invited speaker roles across international symposia, including EASMB 2024, Soongsil University, Yeungnam University, and multiple workshops. His research achievements have been consistently recognized with awards, such as poster awards at NYKB and KOSUA meetings, a Hot Structure Poster Award by the Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology, and presentation honors as early as his graduate years. These accolades underscore his long-standing excellence and sustained trajectory of impactful scholarship.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Kim is poised to further shape the field of structural biology by pushing the frontiers of Cryo-EM to decode complex protein dynamics relevant to both human health and plant biology. His interdisciplinary approach—bridging structural biology, life sciences, and protein engineering—positions him to contribute not only to academic advancements but also to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. His legacy will be defined by groundbreaking discoveries in membrane protein biology and by mentoring the next generation of structural biologists at POSTECH.

Conclusion

Dr. Young-jin Kim exemplifies the qualities of a visionary researcher whose academic rigor, innovative discoveries, and global contributions have positioned him as a leader in structural biology. His early academic excellence, groundbreaking research on membrane transporters, and dedication to advancing both science and mentorship make him an outstanding candidate for recognition such as the Best Researcher Award. His trajectory promises enduring influence in science and medicine, reinforcing his role as a pioneer in the field.

Notable Publications

"Cryo-EM structures of human OAT1 reveal drug binding and inhibition mechanisms" 

  • Author: Hyung-Min Jeon; Jisung Eun; Kelly H. Kim; Youngjin Kim
  • Journal: Structure
  • Year: 2025

"Structural Basis for Activation of the Heterodimeric GABAB Receptor" 

  • Author: Kim Y, Jeong E, Jeong JH, Kim Y, Cho Y
  • Journal: Journal of Molecular Biology
  • Year: 2020

"Structural basis of the fanconi anemia-associated mutations within the FANCA and FANCG complex" 

  • Author: Lee, SG. Kim, HS. Yang, J. Shin, J. Kim, Y. Kim, J. Scharer, O. D. Kim, Y. Yeo, JE. Kim, HM. Cho, Y
  • Journal: Nucleic Acids Research
  • Year: 2020

"The application of helix fusion methods in structural biology" 

  • Author: Na-Young Kwon; Youngjin Kim; Jie-Oh Lee
  • Journal: Current Opinion in Structural Biology
  • Year: 2020

"Attachment of flagellin enhances the immunostimulatory activity of a hemagglutinin-ferritin nano-cage" 

  • Author: Lee, EB, Jeon, HM. Kim, CU, Park, SM, Cho, G, Kim, HJ, Kim, Y, Kim, DJ, Kim, Y. S., Lee, H, Lee
  • Journal: Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine
  • Year: 2024

Dmitry Guschin | Biological Networks |  Outstanding Research Achievement Award

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Dr. Dmitry Guschin | Biological Networks |  Outstanding Research Achievement Award

Sirius university of Science and Technology | Russia

Author Profiles

Oricd ID

Google Scholar

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Dmitry Guschin began his scientific journey in Moscow, Russia, where his early research as a Research Scientist at the Laboratory of Chromosome Structure (1990–1991) focused on the role of histone tails in maintaining chromatin structure during transcription. This pioneering work, published in Cell, laid the foundation for his long-term interest in chromatin dynamics and molecular mechanisms of gene regulation. His subsequent fellowship at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London (1991–1995) enabled him to uncover the role of Jak kinases in interferon signaling, a finding published in Nature. These formative years established his reputation as a molecular biologist with a keen ability to address fundamental questions in gene regulation.

Professional Endeavors

Throughout his career, Dr. Guschin has held prestigious positions across internationally recognized institutions. From visiting scientist roles at Argonne National Laboratory and the NIH, to his decade-long tenure at Sangamo BioSciences (2000–2014), he contributed to groundbreaking advances in genome editing. His later positions at the Institute of Basic Science in Korea (2015–2019), Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (2019–2022), Ecole Polytechnique (2021), Nazarbaev University (2023–2024), and his current role as Lead Scientist at Sirius University (2024–) reflect a global career marked by innovation, collaboration, and leadership.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Guschin’s research has consistently revolved around genome editing, chromatin biology, and translational medicine. At Sangamo BioSciences, he demonstrated targeted deletions using Zinc-Finger nucleases and developed methods for genome mutation detection, securing 10 U.S. patents. His contributions to CRISPR research at the Institute of Basic Science in Korea, where he engineered Cpf1 (CRISPR type V) proteins with novel PAM specificities, further advanced gene-editing precision. Additionally, his innovations in base editing and co-selection strategies positioned him as a thought leader in functional genomics.

Impact and Influence

The global trajectory of Dr. Guschin’s career underscores his broad scientific influence. His work has impacted both fundamental science-such as uncovering chromatin regulation mechanisms-and applied biotechnology, including methods adopted for therapeutic genome editing. His publications in Cell, Nature, Nature Biotechnology, and Science highlight the international recognition of his discoveries. Moreover, his patents and translational research contributions demonstrate lasting influence on both academia and industry.

Academic Citations

With over 20 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals, Dr. Guschin’s scholarship has been widely cited across molecular biology, biochemistry, and genome engineering fields. His publications not only advanced scientific discourse but also served as reference points for subsequent innovations in gene-editing technologies and cancer research.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Guschin’s legacy lies in bridging basic molecular discoveries with applied genome-editing technologies. His early contributions to chromatin biology and interferon signaling remain benchmarks in molecular biology, while his later work in Zinc-Finger nucleases and CRISPR engineering has influenced therapeutic development pipelines. In his current role at Sirius University, he continues to shape translational medicine by focusing on colloidal medicine and advanced biomedical applications. Looking forward, his expertise positions him to mentor future scientists and contribute to cutting-edge therapies in personalized medicine.

Conclusion

Dr. Dmitry Guschin’s career reflects a rare blend of scientific depth, technological innovation, and translational impact. From uncovering fundamental molecular mechanisms to pioneering genome-editing tools and mentoring the next generation, his contributions have left an indelible mark on modern biology. His ongoing work promises to expand the horizons of translational and personalized medicine, ensuring his influence will continue to grow in both academic and clinical domains.

Notable Publications

"Circulating Tumor DNA in Prostate Cancer: A Dual Perspective on Early Detection and Advanced Disease Management" 

  • Author: Stepan A. Kopytov; Guzel R. Sagitova; Dmitry Y. Guschin; Vera S. Egorova; Andrei V. Zvyagin; Alexey S. Rzhevskiy
  • Journal: Cancers
  • Year: 2025

"Modern approaches to engineering human reporter cell lines using CRISPR within Safe Harbor loci and endogenous genes" 

  • Author: A. G. Bykonya; D. Y. Guschin; N. A. Barlev
  • Journal: Critical Reviews in Biotechnology
  • Year: 2025

"Vinculin–Arp2/3 interaction inhibits branched actin assembly to control migration and proliferation" 

  • Author: John James; Artem I Fokin; Dmitry Y Guschin; Hong Wang; Anna Polesskaya; Svetlana N Rubtsova; Christophe Le Clainche; Pascal Silberzan; Alexis M Gautreau; Stéphane Romero
  • Journal: Life Science Alliance
  • Year: 2025

"BRCA Mutations-The Achilles Heel of Breast, Ovarian and Other Epithelial Cancers" 

  • Author: Loboda, Anna P.; Adonin, Leonid S.; Zvereva, Svetlana D.; Guschin, Dmitri Y.; Korneenko, Tatyana V.; Telegina, Alexandra V.; Kondratieva, Olga K.; Frolova, Sofia E.; Pestov, Nikolay B.; Barlev, Nick A.
  • Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  • Year: 2023

"Vinculin-Arp2/3 Interaction Inhibits Branched Actin Assembly to Control Cell Migration and Cell Cycle Progression" 

  • Author: John James; Artem I. Fokin; Dmitry Y. Guschin; Hong Wang; Anna Polesskaya; Svetlana N. Rubtsova; Christophe Le Clainche; Pascal Silberzan; Alexis M. Gautreau; Stéphane Romero
  • Journal: Preprint
  • Year: 2023