معرفی
Kenichi Yokoyama serves as Associate Professor of Biochemistry (2019-Present), Associate Professor of Chemistry (2022-Present), and Associate Professor of Cell Biology (2022-Present) at Duke University. His primary appointment resides in the Department of Biochemistry within the Basic Science Departments, with secondary appointments in the Department of Chemistry under Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and the Department of Cell Biology.
Dr. Yokoyama's research focuses on biosynthesis and mechanisms of action of naturally occurring bioactive molecules, particularly antifungals and antibiotics. His lab investigates biosynthetic enzymes and bacterial/fungal producers of bioactive metabolites to discover novel compounds with applications in research and medicine. His specific interests include free-radical mediated enzyme catalysis (metallo-enzymology), cofactor biosynthesis in humans and pathogenic bacteria, natural product biosynthesis and genome mining, and fungal cell wall biosynthesis with antifungal mode of action.
His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) antibiotics like dynobactins and darobactins that target Gram-negative bacterial outer membranes. His work bridges organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and spectroscopy with emphasis on functional and mechanistic characterization of enzymes, small molecule characterization, bacterial/fungal genetics, synthetic organic chemistry, and advanced spectroscopic techniques including NMR, EPR, and fluorescence microscopy.
Scientific Awards:
- ACS Pfizer Award in Enzyme Chemistry (2019) - Recognizing fundamental research in enzyme chemistry by scientists under forty years of age
Dr. Yokoyama maintains active grant funding from multiple NIH institutes (NIAID, NIGMS), NSF, and the American Heart Association, totaling over $10 million in current funding. His grants focus on molecular mycology, chitin synthesis inhibition, cell and molecular biology training, peptide antibiotic discovery, and advanced spectroscopy equipment. His lab also mentors students through various NIH-funded training programs including the Tri-Institutional Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program and the Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program.
The Yokoyama Lab operates at the intersection of enzymology and natural products research, maintaining strong collaborations across Duke's research ecosystem with particular emphasis on translating basic enzymatic discoveries into novel therapeutics for infectious diseases.
