Yuhong Zuo

Dr. Yuhong Zuo is a Researcher in the Department of Pharmacology at Yale University School of Medicine. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from the University of Miami (2002), with earlier degrees including an MS in Chemistry (University of Miami, 1996) and BS in Applied Chemistry (Peking University, 1990). Her research focuses on structural and mechanistic studies of RNA polymerase, transcription initiation complexes, and exoribonuclease enzymes. Key areas include bacterial transcription regulation, RNA processing pathways, and protein-DNA interactions.

Dr. Zuo has contributed to over 20 peer-reviewed papers since 1996, with recent work elucidating transcription mechanisms in E. coli and structural insights into RNA polymerase function. She serves as a reviewer for journals like Journal of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Cell, and has held prestigious awards including the American Heart Association Postdoc Fellowship (2003, 2005) and the Maytag Fellowship (1994).

• Education:
  • PhD: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Miami, 2002
  • MS: Chemistry, University of Miami, 1996
  • MS: Radiochemistry, Shanghai Institute of Nuclear Research, 1993
  • BS: Applied Chemistry, Peking University, 1990
• Research Highlights:
  • Crystallographic studies of E. coli RNA polymerase and σ-factors
  • Structural basis of transcription initiation/elongation transitions
  • Functional analysis of exoribonucleases (RNase T, RNase R, etc.)
  • Regulation of transcription by ppGpp and RapA proteins

Her work bridges structural biology with enzymology, advancing understanding of fundamental biological processes and potential therapeutic targets in bacterial systems.