Summary

Light is an appealing stimulus for molecular reactions because it can be delivered remotely with high spatiotemporal control simply by turning on and off a light source. Combined with light stimulation, photoactive molecules can be used to generate fluorescence signal, deliver chemical reagents such as proton and electron, modulate biochemical reactions, and shift the equilibrium of complex (bio)molecular systems. In our laboratory, we design, synthesize and study novel photoactive compounds targeting biological applications. With the help of analytical techniques and theoretical calculations, we understand the mechanistic underpinnings of the activation and deactivation of excited states by competing chemical reactions and intermolecular interactions. We harness this understanding to design and develop new and better photoactive compounds for further applications with improved outcomes.   

Our projects are highly multidisciplinary. Students from various STEM fields work on these projects. Students remain involved in every aspect of the projects: starting from molecular modeling, multi-step organic synthesis, designing and conducting chemical and biochemical experiments, analyzing data, and communicating work through publications and presentations at conferences and symposiums.