Tang Lab: Integrative Mechanobiology & Biophysics
Our Research
All-optical Imaging and Optogenetics Systems
Can we simultaneously watch the multiplexed dynamics in cells, like watching a movie? Can we "chat" with cells if we learn the underpinning rules? Can we engineer a way to adjust the living cells' functions?
Any bilayer lipid membrane can support an electrical voltage. In parallel to mechanical field (e.g., membrane tension), this electric field critically affects many fundamental aspects of cellular physiology and pathology. Membrane voltage perturbs the energy landscape of biomolecules embedded in the lipid membrane, including ion channels and receptors, and form a direct "communication channel" from membrane to cell inner world. In our lab, we develop high-throughout imaging and systematic molecular methodologies to decode this "universal language" in diverse tissues, which will help address current societal challenges in healthcare, environment, and energy.
Biomechanics and Mechanobiology Engineering
Physical forces can critically influence the behaviors and functions of most living systems. This processes is named "mechanotransduction", i.e., the transduction of the mechanical forces into the biochemical signals and gene expression. How can living cells recognize the physical forces? Can cells distinguish tensive vs. compressive, or friendly vs. harmful forces applied on them? Do cells have "mechanical" memory on their force experiences, like the conventional shape-memory materials in engineering?
Our lab quantitatively explore these questions and investigate the nature of mechanotransduction in tumor cells, stem cells, cardiomyocytes, and neurons. Translating the earned insights, we hope to invent precise/personal bioengineering strategies to timely detect, prevent, and cure diseases.
Brain Imaging in vivo and Bioinspired Robotics
How do all of us think? Why do we have memory, but unavoidably forget something? What are the biophysical differences in our brains when we are in moments, such as happy vs. sad?
A deeper causal understanding of how brain transforms the received sensory stimuli into cognitive decision will help (1) understand our brain with greater insight and (2) treat devastating neurological diseases, such as epilepsy, autism, learning disabilities, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Using translucent larval zebrafish, we develop new methodologies based on custom-built optical microscopes, in vivo imaging, CRISPR/Cas9 tools, MEMS, and machine learning (ML/AI) methods. We visualize, control, and decode the 3D brain-wide neuronal electrophysiology at single-spike-and-single-cell resolution, aiming to understand brain functions and behaviors.
Biophysics Theory and Mechanics Modeling
New technologies and modeling algorithms often drive new scientific discoveries and advance our knowledge of biological processes. Our lab has been developing new biophysical technologies and computational algorithms, by combining theoretical and applied mechanics, optics, nan-fabrication, chemistry, electrophysiology, numerical simulation, and theory.
We push the limits of physics and engineering to make measurements in previously inaccessible spatial-temporal-functional regimes. We study living systems at the levels of single cells and whole genetically modified organisms. We seek to paint the dynamic, quantitative, comprehensive, and multiplexed portraits of living systems.
We are heartily grateful for the generous funding supports from:
