Skills:
Optical and Microscopic techniques Mastery of advanced fluorescence techniques, including fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS), fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), Frster resonance energy transfer (FRET), total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF), fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), multi-photon imaging, and super-resolution microscopy (Blink, dSTORM). Expert in optical system construction and instrumentation, light pathway alignment, optic/microscope components design and system modification. Rich experience with home-built FCS/FCCS/TIRF systems. Professional with commercial confocal/spinning disk/multi-photon microscopes, and utilizing microscope techniques for life sciences applications. Familiar with software for both instrumentation and data processing, including AutoCAD, LabVIEW, Adobe Design Premium, MATLAB, Igor Pro, Mathematica, and Origin. Skilled in employing computational methods for in-depth study on nonlinear optics at quantum mechanics level, including Ab Initio and semi-empirical methods, density fluctuation theory, Monte Carlo and molecular dynamic simulations. Biomedical research Mastery of molecular biology techniques, biophysical/biochemical assays, and immunological methods, including: DNA cloning and plasmid amplification; protein expression, isolation and purification; 1D and 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry; western-blot; hybridoma culture, antibody extraction and purification; antibody and antigen labeling; primary cell culture, monocytes isolation and differentiation; cell microinjection; immunostaining; infectivity assay; fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS); enzyme-based immunosorbent assay (ELISA); in vivo antigen tracking and live cell/animal model imaging. Specialized in cell membrane receptors involved in cancer research and pathology research. Intensive study on the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor family, the targets of various anti-cancer drugs; studies include receptor activation mechanism and signaling, intracellular Rho GTPases and effectors interactions. Intensive study on membrane C-type lectins expressed on human dendritic cells and macrophages; studies include lectin dynamics, lectin-mediated pathogens (yeasts and viruses) binding, virus entry, transportation and membrane fusions, and antibody neutralization mechanisms.