RESEARCH

We work at the interface between super-resolution imaging, immunology, and nanotechnology. The research primarily focuses on the following three areas.

Focus area 1: Novel optics, probes, and algorithms for super-resolution imaging

Super-resolution imaging is revolutionizing sample analysis beyond the diffraction limit of visible light. We take an interdisciplinary approach to further advance super-resolution techniques towards quantitative and live imaging. Our developments include light sheet microscopy for deep-cell imaging, new fluorescent probes to achieve ultra-high labeling and detection efficiencies, and computational methods that accelerate image acquisition for live cells.

Select Publications:

Y. S. Hu, Q. Zhu, K. Elkins, K. Tse, Y. Li, J. Fitzpatrick, I. M. Verma, and H. Cang, Opt. Nanoscopy, 2(7), 2013.

Y. S. Hu, X. Nan, P. Sengupta, J. Lippincott-Schwartz, and H. Cang, Nat. Methods, 10(2), 2013.

Focus area 2: Optical reading and writing of receptor-mediated signaling

Immunity is key to long-term responses in checkpoint cancer therapies. While targeting membrane receptors of immune cells has achieved initial clinical success, questions remain regarding why some patients do not respond and what additional pathways we need to target in order to provide long-term survival benefit.  We combine multiplexed super-resolution imaging, single-molecule tracking, and protein engineering to investigate the spatiotemporal coordinate of signaling molecules in nanoscale volumes and their functional relevance in immune responses.  Our goal is to provide molecular-level mechanistic insights to further guide the design of antibody blockade and combination therapy in order to improve the outcome of cancer treatment.

Select Publications:

Y. S. Hu, H. Cang, and B. Lillemeier, PNSA, 113(26), 2016

Focus area 3: Precision antigen presentation

Despite a surge of new opportunities in nanomedicine, discrepancies from reported studies reveal a considerable gap in our understanding of the bio-nano interface. Successful use of nanoparticles to achieve desirable biological outcomes is compounded by the lack of high-resolution optical imaging modalities that directly guide particle design. Here, by combining superresolution and multifunctional plasmonic antigen-presenting nanoparticles (pAPN), the research aims to precisely characterize the molecule distribution on pAPNs and directly reveal bio-nano interactions at the T-cell plasma membrane.

Select Publications:

Y. Hu, S. J. Noelck, R. A. Drezek, ACS Nano, 4(3), 2010