RESEARCH INTERESTS

We are broadly interested in creating innovative chemical tools using small molecules, DNA devices, and polymer bio-conjugates for functional imaging and modulating biological systems. Leveraging these methods, we aim to understand complex biological phenomena and disease mechanisms at a molecular level, particularly in neurological disorders. With a strong foundation and interdisciplinary collaboration, we will contribute significantly to chemical neurobiology, bridging scientific inquiry and transformative healthcare.

Our interests span:

• Pioneering innovative bioconjugation techniques enable precise endogenous protein labeling and stable organellar staining, unveiling critical insights into the fundamental principles of organellar dynamics and neurotransmitter receptor trafficking. 
• Developing fluorogenic probes using novel targeting strategies and innovative quantitative principles for functional organelle imaging, aiming to deepen our understanding of organelle biochemistry. 
• Utilizing DNA nanotechnology and polymer bioconjugates to devise novel modulation strategies, we investigate the role of organellar microenvironments in facilitating diverse cellular processes such as viral infection, neurotransmitter filling and synapse formation.

Our research will commence with the synthesis of fluorescent probes, followed by their characterization using various spectroscopic techniques. We will then explore these probes in both cell lines and primary cells, and conduct functional imaging with high-resolution fluorescence microscopy.