Saw Yu Yu Hnin Assistant Professor
Saw Yu Yu Hnin
AffiliationLaboratory of Natural Products Chemistry, Section of Natural Products & Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Resources, Department of Research and Development
Research fieldsNatural Products Chemistry
Campus careerPh.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Biography University of Toyama Faculty Research Profiles
Education
2018 B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry, Department of Chemistsry, University of Yangon, Myanamar
2023 M.Sc at Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Japan
2026 Ph.D at Graduate School of Medicinel and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Japan
Job career
Apr. 2026 Assistant Professor, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Japan
Research theme
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Outline of the research
Nature offers a rich reservoir of bioactive molecules, yet their structural diversity can be further expanded through rational enzyme engineering. My research focuses on enzymes engineering to generate structurally diverse and pharmaceutically valuable natural and unnatural compounds.
Through structure-based design and AI-assisted enzyme engineering, we aim to develop innovative biocatalysts with improved selectivity and functionality. By integrating structural biology, protein engineering, and computational approaches, our goal is to expand the chemical space accessible through biosynthesis and contribute to the development of next-generation therapeutic molecules.
Thoughts on research
Research is a marathoon-driven by curiosity, guided by responsibility, and substained through endurance and perseverance. New discoveries, as well as even refined knowledege, must go beyond publication, extending to careful evaluation, long-term monitoring, and meaningful contribution to society.
Paper
Le, H. T., Nguyen, N. T. H., Hong, Q. V., Qian, Z., Bui, T. M., Huynh, L. N., Hnin, S. Y. Y., Htoo, Z. P., Le, A. P. T., Tran, D. Q., Morita, H., Bui, H. T. B. "Thiazole conjugated amino acid derivatives as potent cytotoxic agents" RSC Advances., 15, 26860-26872 (2025).
Nguekeu, Y. M. M., Fozeng, H. D. S., Chukwuma, C. I., Hnin, S. Y. Y., Hong, N. N., Njoya, E. M., Ngouela, S. A., Tene, M., Makhafola, T. J., Morita, H., Awouafack, M. D. "New cerebrosides and ceramide with other constituents from the aerial parts of Raphidiocystis manni Hook. f. and their cytotoxic activities" J. Nat. Med., 79, 412-421 (2025).
Hnin, S. Y.Y., Nakashima, Y., Kodama, T., Morita, H. "Structure-based catalytic mechanism of Amaryllidaceae O-methyltransferases" ACS Catalysis, 14, 11865-11880 (2024).
Hnin, S. Y.Y., Nakashima, Y., Kodama, T., Morita, H. "Structure-based catalytic mechanism of Amaryllidaceae O-methyltransferases" ACS Catalysis, 14, 11865-11880 (2024).
Matchide, M. G., Hnin, S. Y. Y., Nguekeu, Y. M. M., Matheuda, E. G., Nghokeng, J., Tabakam, G. T., Djoumbissie, R. A. D., Ngouela, S. A., Lee, Y., Tene, M., Morita, H., Awouafack, M. D. "Dryoptkirbioside, a new fructofuranoside glycerol, and other constituents from Dryopteris kirbi Hook et Grav rhizomes" Chem Biodivers, 20, e202301127 (2023).
keyword
Natural Products Chemistry、Biosynthesis、Enzyme Engineering
