个人简介

Education: B.S., 1998, University of Science and Technology of China; Ph.D., 2002, the University of Chicago Awards: Elizabeth Norton Prize for Excellence in Research in Chemistry, 2002; NIH Pathway to Independence Career Award, 2006; Dreyfus New Faculty Award, 2008; Terman Fellowship, 2008; Searle Scholar, 2009; Packard Fellowship in Science and Engineering, 2009; NSF CAREER Award, 2011; Hellman Scholar, 2011; NIH New Innovator Award, 2012; NSF INSPIRE Award, 2013.

研究领域

Biological Chemistry/Physical

Our research interest lies in understanding the signal propagation in neurons using quantitative tools developed by physical and chemical sciences. Currently, there are three major research directions: (1) Investigating the axonal transport process using optical imaging, magnetic and optical trapping, and microfluidic platform; (2) Developing vertical nanopillar-based electric and optic sensors for sensitive detection of biological functions; (3) Using optogentic approach to investigate the temporal and spatial control of intracellular signaling pathways. Single molecule image of vesicle transport in axons In neurons, the axon acts as a conduit for organized transport of materials between the cell body and the synapse, a process that is essential for the function and survival of neurons. The extreme lengths and narrow calibers of axons, along with the large amount of materials that must be transported through axons represent unique challenges for neurons. Defective axonal transport, such as accumulation of axonal cargoes and slower transport rate, has been linked with a range of neurodegenerative diseases. We are investigating molecular mechanism associated with retrograde axonal transport of neurotrophins and how molecular motors and various regulatory proteins coordinate this essential process. We are also developing a novel technique that permits external manipulation of axonal transport via magnetic and optical forces. The capability to manipulate axonal transport affords new approaches to investigate the linkage between defective axonal transport and neuronal degeneration. Nano-bio interface: probing live cells with nanopillar sensors The rapidly evolving field of nanotechnology creates new frontiers for biological sciences. Recently, we and other groups show that vertical nanopillars protruding from a flat surface support cell survival and can be used as subcellular sensors to probe biological processes in live cells. We are exploring nanopillars as electric sensor, optical sensors, and structural probes. In particular, we find that nanopillar electrode protruding from the flat surface significantly enhances the cell membrane-electrode coupling by deforming the plasma membrane inwards. Interestingly, the presence of high membrane curvature induces accumulation of proteins around nanopillars and affects certain biological processes. The interplay between biological cells and nano-sized electrode is an essential consideration for future development of interfacing devices. Optic control of intracellular signaling pathways Cells are constantly processing environmental cues such as growth factors to make decisions on cell fate, e.g. survival, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. To ensure proper conversion of a specific environmental input into a distinct cellular output, the activation of intracellular signaling pathways is tightly regulated in space and time. Compared with our understanding of protein players involved in various signaling pathways, much less is understood about how these temporal and spatial aspects affect cell behavior, largely due to the lack of effective tools to precisely regulate signaling pathways in space and time. We use light-gated protein-protein interaction systems to control the activation and inactivation of intracellular signaling pathways. The ability to control signaling pathways by light offers unprecedented precision in temporal and spatial dimensions.

近期论文

查看导师新发文章 （温馨提示：请注意重名现象，建议点开原文通过作者单位确认）

Ong Q, Guo S, Zhang K, and Cui B*, U0126 protects cells against oxidative stress independent of its function as a MEK inhibitor, ACS Chemical Neuroscience, DOI: 10.1021/cn500288n (2015). Zhang K, and Cui B*, Optogenetic control of intracellular signaling pathways, Trends in Biotechnology, DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.11.007 (2015). Xie X, Zhao W, Lee HR, Liu C, Ye M, Xie W, Cui B, Criddle CS, Cui Y*, Enhancing the nanomaterial bio-interface by addition of mesoscale secondary features: crinkling of carbon nanotube films to create subcellular ridges, ACS NANO, 8, 11958-11965 (2014) Zhang K, and Cui B*, Lighting up FGFR Signaling, Chemistry & Biology , 21, 806-808 (2014). Burridge PW, Matsa E, Shukla P, Lin ZC, Churko JM, Ebert AD, Lan F, Diecke S, Huber B, Mordwinkin NM, Plews JR, Abilez OJ, Cui B, Gold JD, Wu JC, Chemically defined generation of human cardiomyocytes, Nature Methods , 11, 855-860 (2014). Zhang K, Duan L, Ong Q, Lin Z, Verman PM, Sung K, Cui B*, Light-mediated kinetic control reveals the temporal effect of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in PC12 cell neurite outgrowth, PLOS ONE, 9, e92917 (2014). Lin ZL, Xie C, Osakada Y, Cui Y*, Cui B*, Iridium Oxide Nanotube Electrodes for Intracellular Measurement of Action Potentials, Nature Communications, 5, 3206 (2014). Osakada Y*, Pratx G, Sun C, Sakamoto M, Ahmad M, Volotskova O, Ong Q, Teranishi T, Harada Y, Xing L*, Cui B*, Hard X-ray-induced optical luminescence via biomolecule-directed metal clusters, Chem. Commun, 50, 3549-3551 (2014). Lin ZL, Cui B*, Nanowire transistors: Room for manoeuvre., Nature Nanotechnology, 9, 94 (2014). Zhang K, Kenan R, Osakada Y, Xu W, Sinit R, Chen L, Zhao XB, Chen JY, Cui B*, Wu C*, Defective axonal transport of Rab7 GTPase results in dysregulated trophic signaling, J. Neuroscience., 33, 7451-7462 (2013). Osakada Y*, Pratx G, Hanson L, Solomon PE, Xing L*, Cui B*, X-ray excitable luminescent polymer dots doped with an iridium(III) complex, Chem. Commun., 49, 4319 (2013). Hanson L, Lin Z, Xie C, Cui Y, Cui B*, Characterization of the Cell-Nanopillar Interface by Transmission Electron Microscopy, Nano Letters, 12, 5815-5820 (2012). Xie C‡, Lin Z‡, Hanson L, Cui Y*, Cui B*, Intracellular recording of action potentials by nanopillar electroporation, Nature Nanotechnology, 7, 185-190 (2012). [Highlights in Nature Nanotechnology] [Research Highlights in Nature Methods] [News and Views] Xie W, Zhang K, Cui B*, Functional characterization and axonal transport of quantum dot labeled BDNF, Integrative Biology, 4 , 953-960 (2012). Osakada Y*, Hanson L, Cui B*, Diarylethene doped biocompatible polymer dots for fluorescence switching, Chem. Commun., 48, 3285-3287 (2012). (Cover article) Chowdary PD, Che DL, Cui B*, Neurotrophin signaling via long-distance axonal transport, Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem., 63, 25.1-25.24 (2012). Xie C, Hanson L, Cui Y*, Cui B*, Vertical nanopillars for highly-localized fluorescence imaging, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 108, 3894-3899 (2011). [Highlights in PNAS ][Hightlights in Nature Methods] [News report in nanowerk] [ News report on photonics] [Stanford news] Osakada Y, Cui B*, Real-time visualization of axonal transport in neurons, Methods Mol Biol. 670, 231-243 (2011). Hanson L, Cui LF, Xie C, Cui B*, A microfluidic positioning chamber for long-term live-cell imaging, Microscopy Research and Technique, 74, 496-501 (2011). Zhang K, Osakada Y, Xie W, Cui B*, Automated image analysis for tracking cargo transport in axons, Microscopy Research and Technique, 74, 605-613 (2011).