Molecular labeling technologies
Understanding the spatial organization and functional interaction of biomolecules in living systems is a central goal in biology. We invent and engineer genetically-encoded enzymes for chemical barcoding and functional mapping of molecular network with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. We take a multi-disciplinary approach of combining chemical synthesis, protein engineering, transcriptomics, proteomics, and machine learning to develop and deploy next-generation molecular labeling toolkits that will empower the discovery of novel molecules and their mechanisms of action in living cells.
Epithelial cell signaling and regulation
Epithelial cells play a key role in maintaining the integrity of barrier tissues, such the skin, lung, and intestine. We apply our molecular labeling tools, along with conventional microscopy, single-cell analyses, lineage tracing, organoids, and mouse models to dissect: 1) how spatial organization of the transcriptome affects epithelial cell function and fate; 2) how the interaction between epithelial cells and other components within their niche, including cells and biomolecules, evolve during homeostasis, injury, regeneration, aging, and tumorigenesis.