Research Group
Artificial Systems Meet Biology
We are currently interested in developing novel interfaces between non-living and living systems to advance 1) digital healthcare, 2) carbon-neutral manufacturing, and 3) materials discovery systems. We take pride in our challenging and wild research projects.
Digital Healthcare
:Computers meet humans
The ABLE lab is pioneering a new area of research entitled “bioelectrochemical interfaces” that connect computers and humans through electrochemistry. We have demonstrated that these interfaces can be integrated into a wide range of biomaterials to convert digital signals (electrons) into biochemical signals (signaling molecules). Especially, our neural probes enabled an electrochemical modulation of neuronal activities and animal behaviors for the first time. We are extending this approach to digitally monitor and treat diseases across the nervous, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems.
Carbon-neutral Manufacturing
: Energy devices meet microorganisms
The ABLE lab is launching new efforts to develop chemical manufacturing platforms comprised of synthetic materials and microorganisms. We engineer the interface between conventional energy devices and microorganisms to power the metabolic pathways of microorganisms sustainably. These biohybrid platforms will enable the sustainable production of chemical fuels from CO2.
Materials Discovery
: Synthetic materials meet biomolecules
The ABLE lab is discovering new materials by interfacing synthetic materials with biomolecules. Representative examples include enzyme-like nanocatalysts and functional viral vectors. We design, synthesize, and characterize these new material systems at the atomic scale and utilize them as platforms for energy conversion, gene therapy, etc.
