Inspired by the porcupinefish, unveiled an intestinal microneedle robot. It inflates, deploys drug-loaded microneedles, and uses peristalsis for mucosa penetration. In vivo tests show efficacy comparable to subcutaneous injections. The work was published in Science Advances in December 2023 https://science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adj7067, and featured by the National Science Foundation of China https://www.nsfc.gov.cn/publish/portal0/tab1128/info91830.htm.

Inspired by the red shift seen in the yellow fluorescent protein that results from π-π stacking and by the enhanced fluorescence intensity seen in the green fluorescent protein mutant, which results from the structure rigidification by Zn(II), designed and fabricated the first dipeptide nanoparticle that can shift the peptide’s intrinsic fluorescent signal from the ultraviolet to the visible range. The nanoparticles are photo-stable, biocompatible and have a narrow emission bandwidth and visible fluorescence. The nanoparticles can be used to target cancer cells, image and monitor drug release in real time. The work was published in Nature Nanotechnology. “The research idea paves the way for a new front in peptide optics” (Editorial Views, Nature Nanotechnology, Jan. 2016). The work was also featured in a news episode by the National Science Foundation of USA.

Developed NIR fluorescence peptide nanoparticles for esophageal cancer early detection (Nature Communications, 07/2018) and collaborated the discovery of quantum confined peptide assemblies with tunable fluorescence properties (Nature Communications, 08/2018).

Used physical biomarkers (Young’s modulus and nanomorphology) of amyloid-beta and tau proteins to diagnosis of Alzheimer”s disease. Developed a Kalman-filer based learning algorithm to integrate multiple biomarkers including my lab’s unique fluorescent nanoparticles for Alzheimer’s disease progression prediction, and offer patients the best check-up frequencies based on Shannon sampling theory. The work was published in Science Advances in July 2017.

July 2017, our Science Advances paper “computational integration of nano-scale physical biomarkers and cognitive assessments for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and prognosis” was featured in Science Daily and Alzheimer‘s News Today: Biomarkers May Help Develop Better and More Personalized Alzheimer’s Treatments, Study Suggests.

January 2016, our Nature Nanotechnology paper about bio-inspired peptide nanoparticle article was featured News and Views, Nature Nanotechnology: Peptide nanostructures: Aromatic dipeptides light up.
NSF News highlights the discovery and Featured episode in Science Now by the National Science Foundation (NSF)

May 8, 2015, Royal Society of Chemistry featured our research in Chemistryworld Chemistry world, May 7, 2015, Research News.

March 26, 2015, our work on bio-inspired adhesive was featured by Nature Outlook, Synthetic coatings: Super surfaces Nature 519, S7–S9 (26 March 2015) doi:10.1038/519S7a.

In 2012, our research on insect-eating sundew adhesive was featured by BBC News. Insect-eating sundew plant heals wounds. 11/08/2012.

Discovered that nanoparticles secreted from carnivorous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora (Advanced Functional Materials, 2012) can stimulate immune responses and kill tumor cells. The carnivorous fungus forms adhesive traps for capturing and digesting nematodes that cross its path.

Discovered that the highly elastics adhesive secreted from Sundew plants can form nano-scaffolds for applications in regeneration and chronic wound healing. The discovery was featured by National Science Foundation: Discovery News.

Discovered that the curved swimming trajectories of whirligig beetles were more energy efficient hydro-dynamically than linear trajectories, which explains why they are more often observed in nature (PLoS Comp. Bio.). Propulsion efficiency of whirligig beetles, which can fly through the air, swiftly swim on the surface of water, and quickly dive across the air-water interface, has been claimed in the literature to be one of the highest measured for a thrust generating apparatus within the animal kingdom.

Discovered the unique energy-efficient swimming mechanism of Giardia trophozoite. The research result was published in PNAS. The unique mechanism has been inspired the design of an energy-efficient propulsion mechanism for micro/nano-robots.

Research projects supported as PI by NIH R01, NSF, ONR, ARO, NSF-China, Department of S&T – China, private foundation and industry.

Young Investigator Program (YIP) Award, Office of Naval Research, Department of Defense, USA, 2011.

Early Career Award, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, July 2003.