Professor Noh Seong-hoon of the School of Biological Sciences at Seoul National University. Provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT
Professor Noh Seong-hoon of the School of Biological Sciences at Seoul National University has been chosen because the July laureate of the Korea Science and Technology Award. He was acknowledged for elucidating the cytoskeleton regeneration system, which is important for mobile perform, thereby laying the groundwork for overcoming getting old and neurodegenerative ailments.
The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea introduced on the first that, to mark “World Brain Day” (July 22), they chose Professor Noh because the July recipient of the Korea Science and Technology Award.
The Korea Science and Technology Award honors researchers who, over the previous three years, have produced unique analysis achievements which have drastically contributed to the development of science and know-how. One recipient is chosen every month, and the award consists of the Minister of Science and ICT’s Vice Prime Ministerial Citation and a prize of 10 million gained. From this yr, the previous “Scientist of the Month Award” has been rebranded and elevated to the Korea Science and Technology Award.
The cytoskeleton is a construction important for sustaining cell form, transporting development supplies, and cell division. As getting old or illness progresses, the cytoskeleton turns into broken and unstable, and its regenerative capability declines. It is carefully related to neurodegenerative ailments, most cancers, muscular problems, and extra. Uncovering how the cytoskeleton is fashioned and regenerated on the molecular degree has been a serious problem in life sciences.
Professor Noh targeted on chaperone proteins, which handle tubulin, the important thing protein of the cytoskeleton, in his earlier analysis. Chaperone molecular regulators are likened to mechanics and high quality managers on the molecular degree.
Professor Noh defined, “Just as a building cannot be constructed if materials of verified quality are not supplied, no matter how excellent the architectural design, cells also need a system that precisely produces and maintains functional tubulin.”
Core precept by which cells keep and regenerate themselves. Professor Noh Seong-hoon’s group used cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate, for the primary time on the earth, all the course of by which tubulin, the core structural protein of the cytoskeleton, is generated and recycled. Provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT
The analysis group made use of cryo-electron microscopy, a key know-how that permits direct remark of molecular-level processes occurring inside cells. With typical remark strategies, it’s troublesome to seize the interactions between chaperones and tubulin, which repeatedly assemble and disassemble repeatedly in extraordinarily brief moments. Cryo-electron microscopy instantaneously freezes molecules at temperatures beneath minus 180 ℃ and observes them with a decision excessive sufficient to tell apart the place of particular person atoms.
The group for the primary time elucidated how chaperone molecular regulators kind ultra-large complexes, bind to tubulin, choose solely correctly fashioned elements, and disassemble and recycle broken or incorrectly assembled ones. They revealed that the cytoskeleton is maintained via a “bidirectional quality-control system” by which it’s repeatedly inspected, repaired, and recycled.
Professor Noh defined, “Protein folding, cytoskeleton formation, the operation of molecular regulators, and the processes of aging and disease are all deeply connected to the cell’s ability to produce and maintain functional molecules.”
This analysis, printed within the worldwide journal Science in October final yr, presents elementary rules of cell regeneration and getting old, and is anticipated to supply an necessary basis for creating new therapeutic methods for circumstances resembling dementia and most cancers, in addition to for advancing regenerative drugs.
Professor Noh has independently established and developed a home analysis platform for cryo-electron microscopy, which had beforehand been underdeveloped in Korea. He is main the sector of structural biology, having printed analysis clarifying the dynamic means of protein folding within the worldwide journal Cell in 2022 and a examine on the three-dimensional construction of Dicer within the worldwide journal Nature in 2023. Dicer is an enzyme that exactly cleaves particular genes inside cells into fragments of predetermined size.
Professor Noh acknowledged, “It is highly meaningful that we have built a cryo-electron microscopy research base in Korea and used it to produce world-class results,” including, “We will continue to conduct research that uncovers the fundamental principles of life phenomena and contributes to understanding aging and disease.”
Group picture of Professor Noh Seong-hoon’s laboratory on the School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University. Provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT
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