Yoojin Oh

Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz

Email	yoo_jin.oh[at]jku.at
Project Name	SPMBIOFILM
Publication Page	http://scholar.google.at/citations?hl=en&user=jDuKPsUAAAAJ
Field of research	Physics, Biophysics, Nanotechnology
Keywords	Atomic Force Microscopy \| Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy \| Biofilm \|

Binding mechanisms of microbial pathogens viewed on the single-molecule level

What is my research about?

My research aims at understanding the binding mechanisms of pathogens on the single-molecule level. I provide a comprehensive overview of the use of Bio-SPM based force spectroscopy for studying the strength and dynamics of cell adhesion from the single-molecule to the cellular level, so as to elucidate how different microorganisms dynamically regulate their mechanical and adhesive properties at the nano-scale.

Why did I become a scientist?

I never had any doubts. Physics has always been fun since I was a little girl, and I think I’ve come this far as I keep doing it. It seems that continued curiosity eventually led me to the path of a scientist.

Which tasks/activities take up most of my time?

Many other scientists will do the same. Think, try, read, write, get mad, and then think again, try again, read again, rewrite again and keep going until I am happy. Among them, the part I want to spend the most time with is the happy part, but in reality, I spend a lot of time for the rest. But surprisingly I’m still good.