my lab website: www.yanglab.com.
My laboratory is deeply committed to advancing transformative research tools to address complex biological and biomedical challenges. Building on a strong legacy of innovation, we are continuously pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. Our research integrates cell and molecular biology, single-molecule biophysics, and super-resolution microscopy to investigate the mechanisms of molecular transport and intracellular and intercellular trafficking in both normal physiology and disease contexts.
We have developed several groundbreaking imaging technologies that have reshaped how molecular dynamics are visualized and quantified in live cells. These include single-molecule narrow-field epifluorescence microscopy for high-precision molecular visualization; SPEED (single-point edge-excitation sub-diffraction) microscopy, a high-speed super-resolution technique enabling real-time tracking of molecular transport; and single-point fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (sp-FRAP), which allows quantitative probing of nanoscale molecular kinetics. These innovations have yielded critical insights into nuclear transport mechanisms, revealing the dynamic behavior of mRNAs, viral particles, cytosolic proteins, membrane-associated complexes, and intrinsically disordered proteins. Our discoveries have been featured in high-impact journals and have substantially advanced the field’s understanding of key cellular processes.
Our ongoing research focuses on three major areas. First, we investigate the molecular basis of nucleocytoplasmic transport, including the movement of soluble and membrane-bound proteins, mRNAs, pre-ribosomal subunits, and viral particles through the nuclear pore complex. Second, we explore the trafficking of macromolecules from the cytoplasm to the primary cilium, a critical signaling organelle. Third, we examine how these transport pathways are disrupted under cellular stress and during aging, with important implications for age-related diseases and therapeutic development.
By integrating state-of-the-art imaging technologies with rigorous biological inquiry and a strong commitment to mentorship, my laboratory remains at the forefront of innovation—driving discovery and shaping the future of biomedical research.