My research focuses on light-regulated membrane proteins and their roles in cellular signaling and metabolic regulation. I aim to elucidate how light-sensing proteins modulate enzymatic activities and metabolic pathways through molecular interactions and photochemical mechanisms.

Specifically, my current and future research interests include:

Photoreceptor-mediated signal transduction

1. • Molecular mechanisms of light-responsive membrane proteins such as rhodopsins and heliorhodopsins

   • Functional coupling between photoreceptors and metabolic enzymes or transporters
     
     

Structure–function relationship of membrane proteins

1. • Biochemical and biophysical characterization of light-regulated proteins using spectroscopy and thermodynamic analysis

   • Identification of key residues responsible for light-induced conformational and functional changes
     
     

Photoactivation of metabolic enzymes and transporters

1. • Mechanistic studies on light-controlled activation of enzymes (e.g., glutamine synthetase) and transport systems (e.g., ABC transporters)

   • Integration of photoregulatory modules into cellular metabolic networks
     
     

Synthetic and cell-free bioengineering

1. • Development of cell-free protein synthesis systems for the efficient production and analysis of membrane proteins

   • Construction of light-driven biochemical circuits for optogenetic and bioenergetic applications