Events

Functional Bond-Selective Microscopy for Subcellular Bioanalysis

Presented by Prof. Lu Wei
Hosted by Min Group

Abstract:
Innovations in optical spectroscopy and microscopy have revolutionized our understanding in live biological systems at the sub-cellular levels. In this seminar, I will present our recent efforts in developing and applying nonlinear bond-selective spectro-microscopy for investigating subcellular biological activities with rich chemical information. I will first discuss the coupling of the stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging, a nonlinear Raman imaging modality, with newly developed biorthogonal chemical strategies for quantitative subcellular analysis of protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases and for intracellular local environmental sensing through alkyne- hydrogen–deuterium exchange (Alkyne-HDX). I will also present a new mid-infrared near-infrared two-photon imaging technique for bond-selective fluorescence imaging with single-molecule sensitivity. This microscopy platform will allow new capabilities for wide-field super-multiplex imaging and vibrational life-time imaging for probing heterogeneous cellular interactions and environment.

Bio:
Lu obtained her Ph.D. from Columbia University in 2015 working with Prof. Wei Min and joined the faculty at Caltech as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in 2018. Her group works on developing and applying next-generation vibrational imaging techniques to quantitatively investigate the intracellular biophysical and biochemical processes that are challenging to access by other methodologies. Lu has been recently recognized by the 2020 NIH Director's New Innovator Award, the 2022 Sloan Research Fellowship, the 2022 Vallee Scholar Award, the 2023 NSF CAREER award, and the 2024 BPS Margaret Oakley Dayhoff Award. Lu is also a Heritage Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Investigator at Caltech.