Harnessing Photons for Label-free Chemical Imaging, High-Precision Neuromodulation, and Killing of Superbugs
Abstract
Photons are unique in that they can directly interact with molecules, the foundation of life. I will give an overview of our biophotonics research at three levels of interactions. At the weak interaction regime, I will present label-free chemical microscopy utilizing spectroscopic signals for discovery of molecular signatures related to cancer aggressiveness and antimicrobial resistance. At the moderate interaction regime, I will present non-genetic high-precision optoacoustic stimulation of nervous system. At the strong interaction regime, I will show that photolysis of intrinsic chromophores could effectively sensitize resistant pathogens to antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs.
Biography
Ji-Xin Cheng is currently the Inaugural Theodore Moustakas Chair Professor in Photonics and Optoelectronics at Boston University. Cheng and his team are constantly at the forefront of chemical imaging in innovation, discovery, commercialization, and clinical translation. For his pioneering contributions to the field of vibrational spectroscopic imaging, Cheng received the 2020 Pittsburg Spectroscopy Award from the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburg, the 2019 Ellis R. Lippincott Award from OSA, Society for Applied Spectroscopy, Coblentz Society, and the 2015 Craver Award from Coblentz Society. Cheng is authored in over 270 peer-reviewed articles with an h-index of 79 (Google Scholar). His research has been supported by over 30 million ($) fund from federal agencies including NIH, NSF, DoD, DoE and private foundations including the Keck Foundation. Cheng is a Fellow of Optical Society of America, a Fellow of American Institute of Medicine and Biological Engineering, and associate editor of Science Advances.
Sponsored by the Michael and Roberta Berns Laser Microbeam Program
