刘贝实验室
Research Projects
Our Current Focus
Biosensors that reveal protein conformations
March 12, 2022
Cell behaviors are driven by both protein localization as well as its conformation. We design biosensors to reveal protein conformational changes in living cells. The readout is based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), Fluorescence-lifetime imaging (FLIM), and/or direct single particle tracking.
Control protein functions with optogenetics
March 12, 2022
Optogenetics provides a non-invasive, reversible means to regulate protein function with high spatio-temporal resolution. We harness the LOV domain to engineer optogenetic tools for machineries that involves in metastasis, mechanobiology and immunological synapse formation. Combining with biosensors, we are able to control one protein while watching the activity changes of others.
Artificial intelligence driven microscopy
April 12, 2022
We have applied deep neural networks to augment state-of-the-art superesolution microscopies, including structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and Super-resolution radial fluctuations (SRRF). Now, we are exploring integrating deep-learning algorithms with online super-res and high-throughput imaging.
AI driven protein de novo design
2025.12
We are interested in developing and integrating advanced AI models to explore and engineer protein conformation landscapes beyond static structures. By combining deep generative models, structure–ensemble prediction, and data-guided optimization, we aim to design proteins with programmable dynamics, regulation, and interaction specificity. These de novo–designed proteins serve as next-generation molecular tools to interrogate cell biology with high spatiotemporal precision and to modulate disease-relevant pathways, enabling mechanistic dissection of signaling, mechanics, and phase behavior while advancing new strategies for therapeutic intervention.
