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The Lu group’s research interests lie at the interface between chemistry and biology. We are developing novel chemical approaches to provide deeper insight into biological structures and functions. We are also taking advantage of recently developed biological tools to advance many areas in chemistry, such as inorganic chemistry, chemical biology, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and materials chemistry. The integrated approach is allowing us to make significant contributions to the following areas of research:

1. Biosynthetic Inorganic Chemistry

Computational design using the latest AI-based generative protein design approaches and directed evolution of artificial metalloenzymes as environmentally benign biocatalysts for renewable energy generation and pharmaceutical drug syntheses.

2. Biocatalysis and Synthetic Biology

Engineer biocatalysts to address challenges in synthetic organic chemistry and applications of novel biocatalysts in synthetic biology for biomass conversion and valuable products generation in high yield and selectivity.

3. Bioanalytical Chemistry

Design and selection of sensors and imaging agents for metal ions, metabolites and glycoRNAs to advance spatial metallomics, metabolomics, and glycomics for medical diagnosis, imaging and therapy in neurodegenerative and infectious diseases and cancers.

4. Functional DNA Nanotechnology

Using DNA for encoded synthesis and directed assembly of nanomaterials, as well as the applications of these nanomaterials as theranostic agents for early detection of diseases such as cancers and targeted drug delivery.

5. Gene Editing/Therapy

Developing novel gene-editing methods to improve sequence fidelity and gene target accessibility.

6. Spatiotemporal Omics

Developing nucleic acid tools and methods that integrate proximity labeling, single-cell and spatial sequencing to quantitatively link different layers of omics in biological systems across space and time.