PROGRAMMING LIVING & SYNTHETIC CELLS WITH PROTEIN SIGNALING
Understanding how cells sense their environment and organize behavior is key to unraveling processes like migration and division. To explore this, I engineered cell-sized vesicles with de novo assembled protein signaling pathways. These protocells achieved directional sensing of chemical cues and symmetry breaking—hallmarks of critical cellular functions—advancing synthetic systems that mimic living cells.
Selected News Coverage:
HARNESSING CELLULAR SPATIOTEMPORAL CONTEXT TO DEVISE BIOTECHNOLOGY TOOLS
Using the natural organization of cells creates exciting opportunities to design systems that process information and form patterns. My work focuses on utilizing structures within cells, like organelles, and interactions between cells to control location-specific behaviors. This approach can also help incorporate the natural spatial context into the development of new technologies. These strategies broaden the potential for creating biological systems that guide cellular decisions within single cells or multicellular tissue contexts.
DEVELOPING RNA SENSE-AND-RESPOND CONTROLLERS FOR MAMMALIAN CELLS
RNA technology enables precise sensing of a cell's state or type and responding by releasing a reporter or therapeutic payload. These tools advance our understanding of cellular physiology and enable new therapies. My work focuses on engineering RNA sensors that respond to endogenous transcripts or small molecules, functioning as robust switches. These controllers could be used to drive cell fate decisions or support the expression of gene therapies, advancing fundamental science and translational technologies.