Susan Wang

Susan Wang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University. She also serves as the Director for the MS Degree Planning Program within the department, contributing significantly to academic program leadership and graduate education.

Her research centers on the mechanistic understanding of radical SAM (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) enzymes, particularly those involved in challenging methyl transfer reactions essential for antibiotic biosynthesis in certain organisms. These enzymes contain a characteristic [4Fe-4S] cluster coordinated by a CXXXCXXC motif and utilize a 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical derived from SAM to initiate catalysis. A key focus of her work is determining whether these enzymes require methylcobalamin (a form of vitamin B12), SAM, or both as cofactors or substrates. This line of investigation has implications for developing novel antibiotics and improving industrial antibiotic production processes.

Dr. Wang employs a highly interdisciplinary methodology that integrates molecular biology, organic synthesis, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and protein chemistry to dissect the catalytic mechanisms of these complex enzymes.

Although no recent publications or active lab operations are currently noted, her foundational research continues to contribute to the field of enzymology and microbial metabolism.

• PhD – University of Texas
• Postdoctoral Training – University of Wisconsin

Dr. Wang has no listed scientific awards in the provided materials. She is not currently advising students, as she notes that her lab is not active and she is not accepting new graduate students at this time. There is no mention of external grants or funded projects in the available text.

There is no current information about an active research laboratory or team under her direction. However, her prior work suggests a history of leading a research group focused on enzyme mechanism and biochemical innovation.