Saint Louis University

Education

Ph.D., 2005, Texas A&M University

Research Interests

Immune cells have direct and indirect interaction with other cells. The indirect interactions include the secretion of small protein ligands such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors for binding and activating receptors. Molecular details, however, of the binding mechanisms are still largely unknown. We are interested in understanding how these protein ligands interact with different receptors. We subsequently want to translate this information to develop small molecules modulating the protein ligands in a receptor-specific manner with therapeutic effects against inflammatory diseases and cancer. We use a variety of techniques, including biochemical and biophysical methods such as X-ray crystallography and NMR, high-throughput screening, virtual docking, biosensor-based label-free cellular assay system, as well as animal models of human diseases.

Recent Publications

• Structural studies of small molecule inhibitors of MIF.
  Cho Y and Lolis E. The MIF handbook. (2012) World Scientific Publishing Co.
  
• Drug repositioning and pharmacophore identification in the discovery of hookworm MIF inhibitors.
  Cho Y, Vermeire JJ, et al. Chem Biol. (2011) 18(9):1089-101.
  
• Somatic and inherited mutations in K+ channel KCNJ5 cause aldosterone-producing adenomas and primary aldosteronism.
  Choi M, Scholl UI, et al. Science. (2011) 331(6018):768-72.
  
• When anti-CCR2 treatment for arthritis strikes out.
  Cho Y and Lolis E. Arthritis Rheum. (2011) 63(1):23-5.