The unifying theme of research in our lab is the use of computational/theoretical approaches to address practical yet challenging problems involving macromolecules (i.e. polymers, proteins, DNA and RNA). Macromolecules have extremely rich physical, chemical and biochemical properties that are fundamental to the living systems and are important to novel technology developments. Hence our research focus spans from enabling technological development to mechanistic understanding of the central dogma in biology.

While the research tools used in the group are entirely computational, we strive to collaborate closely with experimental groups to address underlying problems encountered in experiments such as separation and characterization of macromolecules, development of non-viral based gene delivery vectors, and understanding functional control and self-assembly of the ribosome. Students with strong math and analytical skills but not so strong in hands-on experiments, yet like to control the computer (hopefully not the other way around) would work well in the group.

Currently, we have the following three research projects on-going in the group. Follow the links to learn more about each individual project.

• Separation and characterization of macromolecules
• Non-viral based gene delivery vectors
• Functional control and self-assembly of the ribosome