Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002
M.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001
B.S., Peking University, 1998
Professional Experience:
2009 - Present, Associate Professor of Biological Engineering, Purdue University
2004 -2009, Assistant Professor of Biological Engineering, Purdue University
Office Location:
Randolph Hall
Contact:
540-231
540-231 5022 (fax)
Email:
Research Interests:
Our research is concerned with the new science and technology generated by applying micro/nanofabricated structures and devices to biological studies and biosensors. The emphasis in our research is to develop novel tools and techniques to manipulate single cells and single molecules on microchips and carry out bioanalysis and detection with ultrahigh sensitivity. Obtaining information from basic biological units such as single cells and single molecules is extremely important for molecular and cellular biology studies. Traditional biochemical and biophysical methods are based on bulk measurements of a large number of molecules or cells. Total population methods, although very useful, yield only information about average properties or behaviors of molecules/cells. Given the heterogeneity of the population and the lack of synchronization among individuals, it is important to find out whether the average properties are representative of the individual units within the population or distinct subpopulations with different responses exist. The tools for single cell/molecule measurement also have practical applications for biosensing. There are several directions that we are actively pursuing on in this lab. First, we apply microfluidics-based electroporation for drug/gene delivery and analysis of intracellular materials at single cell or subcellular level. Second, we apply microfluidics-based physical and chemical methods to alter the biochemical states of cells at single cell or subcellular level to observe how it influences the cell behavior. Third, we develop tools related to single molecule force measurement
