Senior Investigator, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine
C. H. Waddington Professor of Pediatrics and Special Affiliate Faculty, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School
The primary focus of her research involves developing and applying single molecule approaches to acquire quantitative understanding of biology and to find ways to improve human medicine. The current directions of her research include:
Investigations of G-quadruplex mediated gene expression supported by the NIGMS
Telomere regulation with focus on the alternative lengthening of telomere promoted by oxidative damage supported by the NCI
Molecular mechanism underlying liquid-liquid phase separation implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, ALS/FTLD supported by the NINDS
regulation of poly (ADP-ribose) in RNA binding proteins and stress granule assembly supported by the NIA.
Research Background
Dr. Myong received her Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley with Barry Shane and she did her postdoctoral work at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with Taekjip Ha. She began her independent position as an Assistant Professor in the Bioengineering department at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2009. She moved to Johns Hopkins University, Biophysics department as an Associate Professor in 2015 and became a full professor in 2022.
Dr. Myong is a recipient of Scaringe Award (2005), Genome Technology’s annual list of Tomorrow’s PIs (2009), American Cancer Society Research Award (2011), NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (2012), Human Frontier Science Research Award (2012), Outstanding Advisor of the Year Award, University of Illinois (2014), Rose Award for Teaching Excellence, University of Illinois (2014), Catalyst Award, Johns Hopkins (2016), Discovery Award, Johns Hopkins (2017). Dr. Myong serves on the Editorial Board for Molecular Cell, Biophysical Journal and Scientific Report. She is a Chair-elect of the FASEB Helicase and Nucleic Acid-Based Machine Conference (2025) and a Chair-Elect of the Gordon conference on Nucleic Acid (2027).
Selected Publications
Rhine, K., Dasovich, M., Yoniles, J.*, Badiee, M., Skanchy, S., Ganser, L., Ge, Y., Fare, C.M., Shorter, J., Leung, A.K.L., Myong, S. "Poly(ADP-ribose) drives condensation of FUS via a transient interaction" Molecular Cell, Mol Cell. 2022 Mar 3;82(5):969-985
Rhine, K., Makurath, M.A., Liu, James, Skanchy, S., Catalan, K.F., Lopez, C., Ma, Y., Ha, T., Chemla, Y.R., Myong, S. "ALS/FTLD-linked mutations in FUS glycine residues cause accelerated gelation and reduced interactions with wild-type FUS" Molecular Cell, 2020 Nov 19;80(4):666-681. [ Highlighted in Communcations Biology ]
Lee, C., McNerney, C., Ma, K., Zhao, W., Wang, A., Myong, S. "R-loop induced G-quadruplex in non-template promotes transcription by successive R-loop formation" Nature Communications, 2020 Jul 7;11(1):3392.
Niaki, A.G., Sarkar, J., Cai, X., Rhine, K., Vidaurre, V., Guy, B., Hurst, M., Lee, J.C., Koh, H.R., Guo, L., Fare, C.M., Shorter, J., Myong, S. "Loss of dynamic RNA interaction and aberrant phase separation induced by two distinct types of ALS/FTD-linked FUS mutations", Molecular Cell, 2020 Jan 2;77(1):82-94.e4. [ Highlighted in Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology ]
Tippana, R., Chen, M. C., Demeshkina, N. A., Ferré-D’Amaré,A. R., Myong, S. "RNA G-quadruplex is resolved by repetitive and ATP-dependent mechanism of DHX36", Nat Commun., 2019 Apr 23;10(1):1855.
Chen M. C., Tippana R., Demeshkina N. A., Murat P., Balasubramanian S., Myong S., Ferré-D'Amaré A. R., “Structural basis of G-quadruplex unwinding by the DEAH/RHA helicase DHX36”, Nature, 2018
Koh HR, Ghanbariniaki A, Myong S., “RNA stem structure governs coupling of dicing and gene silencing in RNA interference”. PNAS, 2017 Nov 28;114(48):E10349-E10358.
Qiu, Y., Levendosky, R., Chakravarthy, S., Bowman, G., Myong, S. "The Chd1 chromatin remodeler shifts nucleosomal DNA bidirectionally as a monomer" Molecular Cell, 2017 Oct 5; 68(1):76-88.e6.
Kim Y., Myong S., “RNA remodeling activity of DEAD-box proteins tuned by protein concentration, RNA length and ATP”, Molecular Cell 2016 Sep 1;63(5):865-76.
Tippana R., Hwang H., Bohr V.A., Opresko P.L., Myong S., “Single molecule imaging reveals a common mechanism shared by G-quadruplex resolving helicases”, PNAS 2016 Jul 26;113(30):8448-53
Publications
Single-cluster pull-down assay for visualization and characterization of nanoclusters and condensates. STAR Protoc. 2026 May 22; 7(2):104597. View Abstract
Single-molecule approaches to study G-quadruplex, R-loop, and protein interactions. Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2026 Apr 01; 98:103255. View Abstract
C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat RNA drives transcriptional dysregulation through genome-wide DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplexes. Neuron. 2026 Mar 18; 114(6):1045-1065.e13. View Abstract
Defining RNA oligonucleotides that reverse deleterious phase transitions of RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains. Mol Cell. 2026 Jan 08; 86(1):114-134.e10. View Abstract
Therapeutic 6-thio-deoxyguanosine inhibits telomere elongation in cancer cells by inducing a non-productive stalled telomerase complex. Nat Commun. 2025 12 07; 17(1):6. View Abstract
FUS nanoclusters are a distinct state within the dilute phase. Nat Commun. 2025 Nov 12; 16(1):9956. View Abstract
RNA G-Quadruplexes Function as a Tunable Switch of FUS Phase Separation. bioRxiv. 2025 Nov 01. View Abstract
Opposing roles of two R-loop associated G-quadruplexes in tuning transcription activity. Nucleic Acids Res. 2025 Sep 23; 53(18). View Abstract
Structural basis for dual DNA and RNA specificity of the G-quadruplex-resolving DEAH-box helicase DHX36. Cell Rep. 2025 Sep 23; 44(9):116136. View Abstract
Current practices in the study of biomolecular condensates: a community comment. Nat Commun. 2025 Aug 19; 16(1):7730. View Abstract
Transient Poly(ADP-Ribose) Triggers FUS Condensation Hysteresis via a Prion-Like Mechanism. bioRxiv. 2025 Jul 05. View Abstract
Chemotherapeutic 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine selectively targets and inhibits telomerase by inducing a non-productive telomere-bound telomerase complex. bioRxiv. 2025 Jun 27. View Abstract
Mechanistic insights into direct DNA and RNA strand transfer and dynamic protein exchange of SSB and RPA. Nucleic Acids Res. 2025 Jun 20; 53(12). View Abstract
A high-throughput single-molecule platform to study DNA supercoiling effect on protein-DNA interactions. Nucleic Acids Res. 2025 Jun 20; 53(12). View Abstract
DNA supercoiling-mediated G4/R-loop formation tunes transcription by controlling the access of RNA polymerase. Nat Commun. 2025 Apr 09; 16(1):3363. View Abstract
PACT prevents aberrant activation of PKR by endogenous dsRNA without sequestration. Nat Commun. 2025 Apr 08; 16(1):3325. View Abstract
Mechanistic insights into direct DNA and RNA strand transfer and dynamic protein exchange of SSB and RPA. bioRxiv. 2025 Apr 01. View Abstract
A high throughput single molecule platform to study DNA supercoiling effect on protein-DNA interactions. bioRxiv. 2024 Oct 25. View Abstract
The molecular mechanism for TERRA recruitment and annealing to telomeres. Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 09 23; 52(17):10490-10503. View Abstract
Simultaneous probing of transcription, G-quadruplex, and R-loop. Methods Enzymol. 2024; 705:377-396. View Abstract
5'UTR G-quadruplex structure enhances translation in size dependent manner. Nat Commun. 2024 May 10; 15(1):3963. View Abstract
BG4 antibody can recognize telomeric G-quadruplexes harboring destabilizing base modifications and lesions. Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 02 28; 52(4):1763-1778. View Abstract
Single-molecule observation of G-quadruplex and R-loop formation induced by transcription. Methods Enzymol. 2024; 695:71-88. View Abstract
The roles of FUS-RNA binding domain and low complexity domain in RNA-dependent phase separation. Structure. 2024 02 01; 32(2):177-187.e5. View Abstract
Protocol for single-molecule pull-down of fluorescently tagged oligomers from cell lysates. STAR Protoc. 2023 12 15; 4(4):102716. View Abstract
5'UTR G-quadruplex structure enhances translation in size dependent manner. Res Sq. 2023 Sep 22. View Abstract
Defining RNA oligonucleotides that reverse deleterious phase transitions of RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains. bioRxiv. 2023 Sep 04. View Abstract
Advanced imaging techniques for studying protein phase separation in living cells and at single-molecule level. Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2023 10; 76:102371. View Abstract
Benchmarking Molecular Dynamics Force Fields for All-Atom Simulations of Biological Condensates. J Chem Theory Comput. 2023 Jun 27; 19(12):3721-3740. View Abstract
Switch-like compaction of poly(ADP-ribose) upon cation binding. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 05 09; 120(19):e2215068120. View Abstract
Regulation of Biomolecular Condensates by Poly(ADP-ribose). Chem Rev. 2023 07 26; 123(14):9065-9093. View Abstract
Benchmarking Molecular Dynamics Force Fields for All-Atom Simulations of Biological Condensates. bioRxiv. 2023 Apr 15. View Abstract
Switch-like Compaction of Poly(ADP-ribose) Upon Cation Binding. bioRxiv. 2023 Mar 13. View Abstract
Single-Molecule Fluorescence Methods to Study Protein-RNA Interactions Underlying Biomolecular Condensates. Methods Mol Biol. 2023; 2563:149-160. View Abstract
A minimal construct of nuclear-import receptor Karyopherin-ß2 defines the regions critical for chaperone and disaggregation activity. J Biol Chem. 2023 02; 299(2):102806. View Abstract
Engineered helicase replaces thermocycler in DNA amplification while retaining desired PCR characteristics. Nat Commun. 2022 10 23; 13(1):6312. View Abstract
TDP-43 represses cryptic exon inclusion in the FTD-ALS gene UNC13A. Nature. 2022 03; 603(7899):124-130. View Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose) drives condensation of FUS via a transient interaction. Mol Cell. 2022 03 03; 82(5):969-985.e11. View Abstract
Protocol for generation and regeneration of PEG-passivated slides for single-molecule measurements. STAR Protoc. 2022 03 18; 3(1):101152. View Abstract
Single molecule probing of disordered RNA binding proteins. STAR Protoc. 2022 03 18; 3(1):101131. View Abstract
Next generation single-molecule techniques: Imaging, labeling, and manipulation in vitro and in cellulo. Mol Cell. 2022 01 20; 82(2):304-314. View Abstract
TRF2 promotes dynamic and stepwise looping of POT1 bound telomeric overhang. Nucleic Acids Res. 2021 12 02; 49(21):12377-12393. View Abstract
Probing steps in DNA transcription using single-molecule methods. J Biol Chem. 2021 09; 297(3):101086. View Abstract
A Helicase Unwinds Hexanucleotide Repeat RNA G-Quadruplexes and Facilitates Repeat-Associated Non-AUG Translation. J Am Chem Soc. 2021 05 19; 143(19):7368-7379. View Abstract
Is transcriptional regulation just going through a phase? Mol Cell. 2021 04 15; 81(8):1579-1585. View Abstract
FRET-based dynamic structural biology: Challenges, perspectives and an appeal for open-science practices. Elife. 2021 03 29; 10. View Abstract
Regeneration of PEG slide for multiple rounds of single-molecule measurements. Biophys J. 2021 05 04; 120(9):1788-1799. View Abstract
Single-molecule and ensemble methods to probe RNP nucleation and condensate properties. Methods. 2022 01; 197:74-81. View Abstract
ALS/FTLD-Linked Mutations in FUS Glycine Residues Cause Accelerated Gelation and Reduced Interactions with Wild-Type FUS. Mol Cell. 2020 Dec 17; 80(6):1139. View Abstract
ALS/FTLD-Linked Mutations in FUS Glycine Residues Cause Accelerated Gelation and Reduced Interactions with Wild-Type FUS. Mol Cell. 2020 11 19; 80(4):666-681.e8. View Abstract
E. coli Rep helicase and RecA recombinase unwind G4 DNA and are important for resistance to G4-stabilizing ligands. Nucleic Acids Res. 2020 07 09; 48(12):6640-6653. View Abstract
R-loop induced G-quadruplex in non-template promotes transcription by successive R-loop formation. Nat Commun. 2020 07 07; 11(1):3392. View Abstract
Position-Dependent Effect of Guanine Base Damage and Mutations on Telomeric G-Quadruplex and Telomerase Extension. Biochemistry. 2020 07 21; 59(28):2627-2639. View Abstract
Methods to Study Phase-Separated Condensates and the Underlying Molecular Interactions. Trends Biochem Sci. 2020 11; 45(11):1004-1005. View Abstract
The yeast Hrq1 helicase stimulates Pso2 translesion nuclease activity and thereby promotes DNA interstrand crosslink repair. J Biol Chem. 2020 07 03; 295(27):8945-8957. View Abstract
Just Took a DNA Test, Turns Out 100% Not That Phase. Mol Cell. 2020 04 16; 78(2):193-194. View Abstract
RNA promotes phase separation of glycolysis enzymes into yeast G bodies in hypoxia. Elife. 2020 04 16; 9. View Abstract
Antigenic Variation in Neisseria gonorrhoeae Occurs Independently of RecQ-Mediated Unwinding of the pilE G Quadruplex. J Bacteriol. 2020 01 15; 202(3). View Abstract
Loss of Dynamic RNA Interaction and Aberrant Phase Separation Induced by Two Distinct Types of ALS/FTD-Linked FUS Mutations. Mol Cell. 2020 01 02; 77(1):82-94.e4. View Abstract
Editorial overview: Advances and future prospects of molecular imaging for studying and quantifying biological processes. Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2019 08; 51:A4-A5. View Abstract
RNA G-quadruplex is resolved by repetitive and ATP-dependent mechanism of DHX36. Nat Commun. 2019 04 23; 10(1):1855. View Abstract
G-Quadruplex and Protein Binding by Single-Molecule FRET Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol. 2019; 2035:309-322. View Abstract
Ubiquilin 2 modulates ALS/FTD-linked FUS-RNA complex dynamics and stress granule formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 12 04; 115(49):E11485-E11494. View Abstract
A guanine-flipping and sequestration mechanism for G-quadruplex unwinding by RecQ helicases. Nat Commun. 2018 10 10; 9(1):4201. View Abstract
Single-Cell Imaging Approaches for Studying Small-RNA-Induced Gene Regulation. Biophys J. 2018 07 17; 115(2):203-208. View Abstract
Structural basis of G-quadruplex unfolding by the DEAH/RHA helicase DHX36. Nature. 2018 06; 558(7710):465-469. View Abstract
mRNA structure determines specificity of a polyQ-driven phase separation. Science. 2018 05 25; 360(6391):922-927. View Abstract
Probing Dynamic Assembly and Disassembly of Rad51 Tuned by Srs2 Using smFRET. Methods Enzymol. 2018; 600:321-345. View Abstract
Single-Molecule and Ensemble Methods to Probe Initial Stages of RNP Granule Assembly. Methods Mol Biol. 2018; 1814:325-338. View Abstract
Molecular mechanisms by which oxidative DNA damage promotes telomerase activity. Nucleic Acids Res. 2017 Nov 16; 45(20):11752-11765. View Abstract
Single-cell analysis of early antiviral gene expression reveals a determinant of stochastic IFNB1 expression. Integr Biol (Camb). 2017 Nov 13; 9(11):857-867. View Abstract
RNA stem structure governs coupling of dicing and gene silencing in RNA interference. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 11 28; 114(48):E10349-E10358. View Abstract
The Chd1 Chromatin Remodeler Shifts Nucleosomal DNA Bidirectionally as a Monomer. Mol Cell. 2017 Oct 05; 68(1):76-88.e6. View Abstract
RNA Scanning of a Molecular Machine with a Built-in Ruler. J Am Chem Soc. 2017 01 11; 139(1):262-268. View Abstract
Oxidative guanine base damage regulates human telomerase activity. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2016 Dec; 23(12):1092-1100. View Abstract
RNA Remodeling Activity of DEAD Box Proteins Tuned by Protein Concentration, RNA Length, and ATP. Mol Cell. 2016 09 01; 63(5):865-76. View Abstract
Single-molecule imaging reveals a common mechanism shared by G-quadruplex-resolving helicases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 07 26; 113(30):8448-53. View Abstract
Single molecule probing by fluorescence and force detection. Methods. 2016 08 01; 105:1-2. View Abstract
Quantitative analysis and prediction of G-quadruplex forming sequences in double-stranded DNA. Nucleic Acids Res. 2016 06 02; 44(10):4807-17. View Abstract
Visualizing repetitive diffusion activity of double-strand RNA binding proteins by single molecule fluorescence assays. Methods. 2016 08 01; 105:109-18. View Abstract
G-quadruplex formation in double strand DNA probed by NMM and CV fluorescence. Nucleic Acids Res. 2015 Sep 18; 43(16):7961-70. View Abstract
The disordered P granule protein LAF-1 drives phase separation into droplets with tunable viscosity and dynamics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 Jun 09; 112(23):7189-94. View Abstract
Molecular mechanism of resolving trinucleotide repeat hairpin by helicases. Structure. 2015 Jun 02; 23(6):1018-27. View Abstract
Cancer. The transcription factor GABP selectively binds and activates the mutant TERT promoter in cancer. Science. 2015 May 29; 348(6238):1036-9. View Abstract
Nanopore-based assay for detection of methylation in double-stranded DNA fragments. ACS Nano. 2015 Jan 27; 9(1):290-300. View Abstract
Corrigendum to "Context-Dependent Remodeling of Rad51-DNA Complexes by Srs2 Is Mediated by a Specific Protein-Protein Interaction" [J. Mol. Biol.426 (2014) 1883-1897]. J Mol Biol. 2014 Sep 09; 426(18):3195-3196. View Abstract
G-quadruplex conformation and dynamics are determined by loop length and sequence. Nucleic Acids Res. 2014 Jul; 42(12):8106-14. View Abstract
Repetitive RNA unwinding by RNA helicase A facilitates RNA annealing. Nucleic Acids Res. 2014 Jul; 42(13):8556-64. View Abstract
Substrate recognition and specificity of double-stranded RNA binding proteins. Biochemistry. 2014 Jun 03; 53(21):3457-66. View Abstract
Telomeric overhang length determines structural dynamics and accessibility to telomerase and ALT-associated proteins. Structure. 2014 Jun 10; 22(6):842-53. View Abstract
Context-dependent remodeling of Rad51-DNA complexes by Srs2 is mediated by a specific protein-protein interaction. J Mol Biol. 2014 May 01; 426(9):1883-97. View Abstract
Protein induced fluorescence enhancement (PIFE) for probing protein-nucleic acid interactions. Chem Soc Rev. 2014 Feb 21; 43(4):1221-9. View Abstract
Srs2 prevents Rad51 filament formation by repetitive motion on DNA. Nat Commun. 2013; 4:2281. View Abstract
ATP-independent diffusion of double-stranded RNA binding proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Jan 02; 110(1):151-6. View Abstract
ATP hydrolysis enhances RNA recognition and antiviral signal transduction by the innate immune sensor, laboratory of genetics and physiology 2 (LGP2). J Biol Chem. 2013 Jan 11; 288(2):938-46. View Abstract
A single-molecule view of chaperonin cooperativity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Oct 11; 108(41):16865-6. View Abstract
Single-molecule nanopositioning: structural transitions of a helicase-DNA complex during ATP hydrolysis. Biophys J. 2011 Aug 17; 101(4):976-84. View Abstract
Rotations of the 2B sub-domain of E. coli UvrD helicase/translocase coupled to nucleotide and DNA binding. J Mol Biol. 2011 Aug 19; 411(3):633-48. View Abstract
Protein induced fluorescence enhancement as a single molecule assay with short distance sensitivity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 May 03; 108(18):7414-8. View Abstract
PcrA helicase dismantles RecA filaments by reeling in DNA in uniform steps. Cell. 2010 Aug 20; 142(4):544-55. View Abstract
Single molecule nanocontainers made porous using a bacterial toxin. J Am Chem Soc. 2009 Oct 21; 131(41):14844-9. View Abstract
Cytosolic viral sensor RIG-I is a 5'-triphosphate-dependent translocase on double-stranded RNA. Science. 2009 Feb 20; 323(5917):1070-4. View Abstract
Roles of RIG-I N-terminal tandem CARD and splice variant in TRIM25-mediated antiviral signal transduction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Oct 28; 105(43):16743-8. View Abstract
Spring-loaded mechanism of DNA unwinding by hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase. Science. 2007 Jul 27; 317(5837):513-6. View Abstract
Unraveling helicase mechanisms one molecule at a time. Nucleic Acids Res. 2006; 34(15):4225-31. View Abstract
Real-time observation of RecA filament dynamics with single monomer resolution. Cell. 2006 Aug 11; 126(3):515-27. View Abstract
Bridging conformational dynamics and function using single-molecule spectroscopy. Structure. 2006 Apr; 14(4):633-43. View Abstract
Repetitive shuttling of a motor protein on DNA. Nature. 2005 Oct 27; 437(7063):1321-5. View Abstract
DNA-binding orientation and domain conformation of the E. coli rep helicase monomer bound to a partial duplex junction: single-molecule studies of fluorescently labeled enzymes. J Mol Biol. 2004 Feb 13; 336(2):395-408. View Abstract
Effect of nicotinic acid administration on hepatic very low density lipoprotein-triglyceride production. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Mar; 280(3):E540-7. View Abstract