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 […]
In vivo multiphoton microscopy of microvasculature and inflammation: Lessons from the brain and a look at the heart Abstract In vivo multiphoton microscopy enables the visualization of dynamics at the cellular scale and is an ideal tool for studying the interactions of cells in vivo. Such imaging has revealed the importance of maintaining vascular health, […]
Cell Mechanics by Light Abstract Living cells are active matter characterized by mechanical properties as stiffness and deformability and morphological parameters as shape and volume. Genetic or pathogenic modifications of these properties can affect cell behavior. Since these transformations are potential indicators in various pathologies, cell mechanics characterization has progressively gained interest. However, due to […]
Translating an understanding of the cutaneous microenvironment into diagnostics and treatments for wounds, cancers, and inflammatory dermatoses Abstract Immune cells are the first responders to injury, pathogens, or malignancy. The various components of the tissue microenvironment dictate what immune cells do when they reach different tissues. The Scumpia lab studies how different components of the […]
Hierarchical Strategies Towards Biointerfacing With Soft Optoelectronic Materials Abstract The applications of functional nanomaterials towards biological interfacing continue to emerge in various fields, such as in drug delivery and tissue engineering. While the rational control of surface chemistry and mechanical properties have been achieved for several of these biocompatible systems, these biomaterials are rarely synthesized […]
Fluorophores with a Genome: DNA-Stabilized Silver Clusters as a New Class of Tunable Fluorophores for Microscopy and Biosensing Abstract Because near-infrared (NIR) electromagnetic radiation penetrates much farther into biological tissues than visible light, NIR microscopy allows for noninvasive imaging deep into tissues and even whole organisms. In the second near-infrared window (NIR-II: 1,000-1,700 nm), biological […]
Optical Dissection of Brain Capillary Function Abstract My laboratory uses in vivo multiphoton imaging and rodent models to shed light (quite literally) on regulation of cerebral blood flow. In particular, we have focused recent attention on the vast capillary networks that distribute blood throughout the brain. We use light to both visualize capillary structure and […]
Harnessing Physiological Forces to Drive Stem Cell Fate & Function Abstract I will be elaborating about how physical cues are crucial to embryonic development, morphogenic events, and tissue organization, but methods to differentiate cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) mainly rely on chemical cues. As such, the role of substrate stiffness, fluid shear […]
Illuminating Biomarkers of Stroke with Diffuse Optical Spectroscopies Abstract Our research group specializes in the development and application of diffuse optical spectroscopies to study the brain. These non-invasive, light-based tools enable real-time bedside monitoring of microvascular hemodynamics. In this seminar, I will focus on our recent work that uses these tools to identify biomarkers of […]
Vasculopathy in COVID-19 and Pathogenesis of Cutaneous Vascular Malformations Abstract SARS-CoV-2-associated vasculopathy under hyperlipidemia and pathological progression of congenital vascular abnormalities in Port Wine Stains. In the first part, we will present our clinical data for the first discovery of dyslipidemia in COVID-19 patients which have been substantially recognized. Mechanistically, we have shown evidence of […]