Research
Real-time sensing of biological processes in diseases is crucial across numerous biomedical fields. Optical sensors are particularly advantageous, providing rapid, reliable, and highly sensitive detection of physiological states. Near-infrared (NIR) optical sensors, in particular, offer enhanced tissue penetration, minimal biological interference, and reduced background noise. Our lab focuses on engineering advanced optical nanosensors to detect diseases and accurately monitor biological processes. By synthesizing, characterizing, and implementing these innovative optical nanosensors, we significantly enhance the capabilities and versatility of nanomaterial-based approaches in both diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications.
Controlled-release drug delivery is essential for maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems offer control over drug release profiles, enabling sustained and targeted drug administration directly to the disease site. Our lab develops advanced nanoparticles engineered for controlled-release applications, optimizing drug concentration at specific tissues or cells and ensuring optimal therapeutic responses. Through the design, characterization, and validation of these nanoparticle systems, we aim to enhance treatment outcomes, minimize systemic toxicity, and lay the groundwork for personalized medicine strategies.
Real-Time Sensing for Disease Monitoring
Controlled Delivery Nanotherapeutics
Implantable
Sensing Devices
Biochemical Sensors
for Precision Monitoring
Real-Time Sensing for Disease Monitoring
We develop multiplexed optical nanoscale sensors and advanced imaging technologies to enable in situ, real-time monitoring of key disease biomarkers within living systems.
Our research focuses on detecting dynamic molecular signals closely associated with the onset, progression, and therapeutic response of various human diseases.
At the core of our platform are single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based optical sensors, which offer unparalleled sensitivity, stability, and spatial resolution. These sensors allow for precise, non-invasive, and longitudinal tracking of biomarker secretion in complex biological environments. By capturing the subtle biochemical changes that underpin disease states, our technologies provide critical insights into disease mechanisms, inform personalized treatment strategies, and support real-time therapeutic monitoring. The versatility and scalability of our approach open up transformative applications in clinical diagnostics, drug development, and systems-level biomedical research.
Controlled Delivery Nanotherapeutics
We design advanced nanocarriers for controlled and targeted drug delivery, with a focus on enhancing therapeutic precision and minimizing systemic toxicity. These nanoscale delivery systems are engineered to release therapeutic agents in a spatially and temporally controlled manner, responding to specific biological cues within the body.
Our approach is particularly valuable in the treatment of cancer, neurological disorders, and inflammatory diseases, where localized drug release can significantly improve efficacy while reducing off-target effects. By fine-tuning the physicochemical properties of our nanocarriers, we achieve optimized release kinetics, tissue-specific targeting, and enhanced drug stability.
Through this work, we aim to advance the frontiers of personalized medicine, offering innovative solutions that tailor treatment regimens to individual patients and disease states. These platforms not only improve therapeutic outcomes but also hold broad potential for next-generation drug development, precision oncology, and translational medicine.
Implantable Sensing Devices
We develop miniaturized, biocompatible, implantable sensing devices designed for continuous, real-time monitoring of biomolecular signals within deep tissue environments. These systems integrate our optical nanoscale sensor technologies into flexible or structurally adaptive platforms that can be implanted subcutaneously or near target organs.
Our implantable devices enable longitudinal tracking of key disease biomarkers in vivo, offering unprecedented access to the biochemical landscape of tumors, inflamed tissues, or other pathological sites. By providing spatiotemporally resolved data on biomarker secretion and therapeutic response, these sensors serve as powerful tools for monitoring disease progression, evaluating drug efficacy, and studying the dynamics of complex biological processes.
The fusion of nanotechnology with implantable systems paves the way for next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic platforms, with broad implications for precision medicine, early disease detection, and real-time controlled treatments.
Smart Biochemical Sensors
for Precision Monitoring
We develop innovative biochemical sensing platforms as research tools to drive discovery and address critical challenges in biomedical science. Designed for high sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolution, these platforms enable precise, real-time monitoring of complex and dynamic biochemical processes in living systems.
By capturing subtle molecular fluctuations with unparalleled accuracy, our sensors open new avenues for studying the mechanisms that underlie health and disease. These technologies are optimized for non-invasive, continuous analysis, making them ideal for tracking rapid or transient biological events.
Our goal is to empower researchers with next-generation tools that reveal previously inaccessible molecular insights, thereby advancing fundamental biology, translational research, and experimental medicine.
