Next Generation Single-Molecule Biophysics

CHIRLMIN JOO LAB

Using next-generation single-molecule techniques, we investigate fundamental biological processes, focusing on the early stages of molecular interactions that are undetectable with conventional biochemistry. Our research spans from small regulatory RNA in gene silencing (RNA interference) and anti-viral defense (CRISPR immunity) to the dynamics of immune recognition, such as MHC-TCR interactions. A key tool in our work is SPARXS (Single-molecule Parallel Analysis for Rapid eXploration of Sequence space), a high-throughput single-molecule technique that allows us to probe interactions on a large scale with unprecedented resolution. Together with single-molecule FRET, SPARXS enables us to dissect complex biological interactions at the molecular level. We also develop single-molecule protein sequencing techniques for advanced proteomics analysis. We have organized conferences in 2017, 2019, and 2022. A new series is in 2025.

KEY PUBLICATIONS

Severins, Bastiaanssen, Kim, et al, C. Joo "Single-molecule structural and kinetic studies across sequence space" Science (2024)

Bastiaanssen, Kim et al "RNA-guided RNA silencing by an Asgard archaeal Argonaute" Nature Communications (2024)

Filius et al, "Full-length single-molecule protein fingerprinting" Nature Nanotechnology (2024)

Alfaro et al, "The emerging landscape of single-molecule protein sequencing technologies" Nature Methods (2021)

Kim, Loeff et al "Selective loading and processing of prespacers for precise CRISPR adaptation" Nature (2020) (animation)

Joo lab in Ewha

LAB NEWS

Jan 2025 A PhD position is open. See Job Opportunities.

Nov 2024 Moon Hyeok's review paper published in Molecular Cell

Nov 2024 Carolien and Carlos highlighted in Kavli Newsletter

Oct 2024 Chirlmin gives a talk in Single-Molecule Sensors and NanoSystems International Conference

Sep 2024 Carlos obtained Biotech Booster subsidy

Sep 2024 Sungchul becomes an assistant professor in POSTECH, Korea

Aug 2024 Ivo•Carolien•Sung Hyun's paper published in Science (TU Delft, Delta, GenomeWeb, NL, NL, BE, Korea, Ewha)

Jul 2024 Carolien defends her PhD thesis

Jul 2024 Bhagyashree•Carlos•Sung Hyun's paper published in Nano Letters

Jul 2024 Sohyun joins the Ewha lab for her internship project

Jul 2024 KyungLim joins the Ewha lab for her internship project

Jul 2024 Carolien•Kijun's paper published in Nature Communications

Jun 2024 Convergence consortium paper published in PLoS Climate

Jun 2024 Carolien gives a talk in Physics of Life

May 2024 Mike gives a talk in Norwegian Symposium on Proteomics

May 2024 Ivo defends his PhD thesis

Mar 2024 Carlos becomes Faculty of Impact fellow (NWO)

Feb 2024 Mike•Raman•Carlos's work published in Nature Nanotechnology (TU Delft, delta, genengnews, phys, newbeezer, myscience)

Feb 2024 Marianne joins our lab for her internship project

Feb 2024 Senne joins our lab for his bachelor project

Feb 2024 Carolien gives a talk in BPS Meeting

Jan 2024 We are awarded ERC Proof of Concept (TU Delft)

Jan 2024 Koushik gives a talk in Single-Molecule Biophysics Les Houches