Research

Nanoplasmonic sensors have attracted great interests owing to their superior sensing performance. We are interested in the development of novel optofluidic platform integrated with uniform plasmonic nanostructures for various sensing applications.

For example, we are currently working on next-generation optofluidic molecular diagnostic chips to achieve ultrafast amplification of target genes via optical polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by taking advantage of rapid light-to-heat conversion of the plasmonic nanostructures. In addition, we are interested in optofluidic sensing platforms which enable in-situ sensitive monitoring of various biological molecules under complex environments.

Our group is also interested in the rational design and synthesis of artificial biological materials by mimicking (or enhancing) key functions of their biological counterparts. For example, the electron transport chain (ETC) in mitochondria is essential for maintaining mitochondrial functions. The ETC often becomes dysfunctional due to mitochondrial DNA mutation or reactive oxygen species. We have recently developed artificial electron transfer pathways in the ETC of the mitochondria by interfacing with inorganic metamaterials, which dramatically improve the ETC activity of mitochondria.