Spatiotemporal Omics
We develop 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.
I. Metallomics
Metal ions in biological systems facilitate multiple functions including participating enzymatic catalysis, stabilizing structure of macromolecules and transducing signals. Investigating the abundance, activity and flux of metal ions helps us understand these processes. We develop DNAzyme and aptamer-based sensors to directly detect and quantify endogenous metal ion pools in cells and tissues. These tools enable spatially and temporally resolved mapping of metal ion activity, revealing how metals regulate gene expression, protein function, and cellular signaling.
II. Metabolomics
Metabolites are not just energy carriers; they are regulatory molecules. We develop nucleic tools to detect these small molecules with high spatial and temporal resolution, hence understand how metabolites participate in the process of epigenetic regulation, cell signaling and microenvironmental communication.
III. Glycomics
Glycosylation is one of the most abundant and complex post-translational. Recently, glycoRNAs were discovered as a new class of glycosylated macromolecules. We develop novel imaging and sequencing methods using proximity ligation assay (PLA) that enable specific detection of glycoRNA and other glycosylated species, address long-standing challenges in glycomics related to specificity, spatial resolution, and molecular context.
IV. Single-cell and spatiotemporal multiomics
Biomolecules are not alone – molecules in different layers of omics, such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, are closely related. By leveraging nucleic acid tools and methods such as in situ imaging and sequencing, we can simultaneously detect molecules of interest across various omics layers at single-cell or spatial level. This approach provides critical insights into both development and disease processes.