Michael (Seungju) Yu

My research interests lie in the development of protein/peptide-based materials and molecular probes that are either inspired by or derived from biological systems. With particular emphasis on applying principles of protein folding and assembly to bio and nano-technology, my research group has been working on a range of research topics from new diagnostic/therapeutic molecules and natural tissue scaffolds to self-assembled nanostructures and piezoelectric fibers. My research group (recently relocated from Johns Hopkins to University of Utah, now occupying state-of-art Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building) has developed a new peptide probe-based technology for targeting collagens. This work is considered a breakthrough in collagen detection (published in over 25 peer-reviewed journals in the last 5 years, including PNAS, JACS, and Nature Commnun.) for its ability to specifically bind to collagens denatured by proteinase or by mechanical damage both in vitro and in vivo. The most exciting discovery in our research since coming to the University of Utah is finding out that collagen hybridizing peptide can be conjugated to drug molecules small or large and have it delivered to pathologic tissues.