Project 1: Single molecule mechanobiology: Characterization of mechanical forces experienced and exerted by cells.
Our research aims to increase our fundamental understanding of the interactions between cells and their environments by studying the forces experienced and exerted by cells at the single-molecule scale. This understanding, in the long term, may ultimately inform approaches for producing physiologically-relevant tissue constructs and in vitro microenvironments; as well as the treatment and prevention of diseases – where cell-substrate mechanical interactions are known to influence cell behavior including cell adhesion, migration, and signaling.
Project 2: Dynamic micro/nanofluidic platform for epigenetics and cell analysis.
We develop a technique for the fabrication of controlled crack arrays that would not require expensive equipment, specialized facilities, or elaborate technical skills. The technique is based upon the incorporation of stress-focusing (or shielding) geometric features to control the position and orientation of cracks generated by the application of controlled strain. The further incorporation of these features within layers substrates comprised of multiple materials; The devices ultimately led us to address novel biological questions by trapping single DNA molecules or single cells for the analysis of epigenetic markers.
Project 3: High-throughput single molecule detection system
We also develop a novel micro/nanofluidic platform for high-throughput single molecule study. The application of single molecule analytical techniques has enabled the study of many previously under-investigated biological phenomena. Despite many strengths, the use of the single molecule techniques has been limited mainly due to the low efficiency and non-specific binding on the surface. To solve such problems, we focus on fabrication of micro/nanofluidic platform with enhanced surface passivation. Our micro/nanofluidic platforms represent a technology capable of exploiting micro/nano-confinement for the increased detection sensitivity even with smaller sample volumes as well as the retention of biologically relevant molecules at concentration ranges necessary for the study of protein interactions and enzymatic activity (> µM).