Silvia Kwak
Papers
1
Total Citations
11
H-Index
1
About
Silvia Kwak is a structural biologist and drug discovery researcher whose work centers on the rational design of protein kinases for therapeutic targeting. Her most cited study, "Rational mutagenesis to support structure-based drug design: MAPKAP kinase 2 as a case study" (2009, 11 citations), exemplifies her core contribution: using targeted mutations to stabilize protein conformations for crystallography, enabling the design of selective inhibitors. This approach directly addresses a major bottleneck in kinase drug development—obtaining high-resolution structures of flexible, biologically relevant states. While her citation count reflects a focused, early-career impact, her methodology has informed subsequent structure-guided programs for MAPKAP kinase 2 (MK2), a key target in inflammatory diseases. Kwak’s work bridges fundamental protein engineering with applied medicinal chemistry, demonstrating how even modestly cited studies can provide critical tools for the field. Her research remains relevant for scientists seeking to apply rational mutagenesis to challenging drug targets, highlighting the enduring value of methodical, structure-first approaches in modern drug design.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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