Research

Major Research Interests

Our lab applies quantitative biophysical approaches, particularly single-molecule detection techniques, to study the mechanobiology of the human circulatory system, tissue repair/regeneration, viral adhesion, and bioinspired soft materials.

Mechanobiology plays a crucial role in cellular processes, from cell fate determination, adhesion, and migration to tissue repair and regeneration and disease progression. By integrating quantitative biophysics, biochemistry, optics, cell biology, and biomaterial science with computational modeling, we aim to develop bioinspired functional materials to improve human health, especially in tissue damage/repair and viral infection. Our highly multidisciplinary and collaborative research thrust areas are summarized below.

Our research focuses on three aspects:

  1. Interfaces between biopolymers and circulatory flow
  2. Cellular mechanosensing and mechanotransduction
    • Platelet mechanosensing and activation
    • Endothelial mechanosensing and mechanotransduction
  3. Mechanobiology of intercellular interactions and viral entry
    • Lymphocyte adhesion mediated by integrins
    • Virus-host cell interaction

Ongoing research funding

  1. NIH R01HL157975, “Mechanism underlying cofactor-dependent proteolysis of von Willebrand Factor”, 2/1/2022 – 1/31/2026. (MPI, Contact PI: Long Zheng)
  2. NSF 2200066 “PIPP Phase 1: Dynamics of Pandemic Spread and Prevention in Indigenous Communities”, 8/1/2022 – 1/31/2024. (Senior Personnel, PI: Anand Jagota)
  3. NIH R01HL153986, “Mechanical regulation of von Willebrand factor”, 9/1/2021 – 6/30/2025. (PI)
  4. NIH R21AI163708, “Biophysical characterization of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein – receptor interactions”, 7/6/2021 – 6/30/2023. (Contact PI, MPI: Wonpil Im)
  5. Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance (PITA), “Persistently virucidal coatings against enveloped viruses including SARS-CoV-2”, 4/1/2021 – 8/31/2022. (PI)
  6. NSF DMR-2004475, “Bioinspired, Single-molecule Based Shear Switchable Nanomaterials”, 6/1/2020 – 5/31/2023. (Co-PI, Contact PI: Xuanhong Cheng)
  7. Lehigh CORE, “Experimental and Computational Study of Coronavirus Spike Protein-Mediated Viral Entry”, 6/1/2020 – 8/31/2022. (PI)
  8. NIH R21HL152348, “Single-cell analysis of endothelial mechanotransduction mediated by endothelial surface glycocalyx”, 5/1/2020 – 4/30/2023. (PI)
  9. NIH R01HL082808, “Structure and function of platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX-V complex”, 2/1/2020 – 11/30/2023. (Co-I, PI: Renhao Li)
  10. NIH R01DA043567, “Prototoxin Effects on Nicotinic Receptor Function”, 4/1/2018 – 2/28/2023. (Co-I, PI: Paul Whiteaker)