Soo‐Jin Kim
Papers
1
Total Citations
22
H-Index
1
About
Soo-Jin Kim is a structural biologist whose work illuminates the molecular machinery of microbial enzymes, with a particular focus on those discovered through metagenomic screening. Her research bridges the gap between environmental microbiology and protein engineering, revealing how soil-dwelling microbes produce commercially valuable biomolecules. Kim's most-cited study, "Crystal structure of engineered β-glucosidase from a soil metagenome" (2008, 22 citations), represents a landmark contribution to the field. In this work, she solved the three-dimensional structure of a β-glucosidase enzyme that had been identified through intensive screening of soil microbial isolates—a process that has led to the discovery and commercialization of numerous secondary metabolites. By determining the crystal structure of this engineered enzyme, Kim provided critical insights into how these biomolecules function at the atomic level, enabling future rational design and optimization. Her achievements demonstrate the power of combining metagenomic discovery with structural analysis, offering a template for developing novel biocatalysts from environmental sources. For students and researchers, Kim's work exemplifies how understanding protein structure can unlock the practical potential of the microbial world.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Crystal structure of engineered β‐glucosidase from a soil metagenome22 citations · 2008