The Cui lab is dedicated to developing innovative tools that advance our understanding of molecular events within the intricate world of living cells. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates expertise from chemistry, materials science, engineering, and biology.  Currently, our research is centered on two pivotal areas.

(1) Membrane Biology: Exploring the physical properties of cell membranes, including curvature and tension, and their role in regulating crucial intracellular processes at the plasma membrane. Our engineering endeavors focus on nanoscale structures that interface with the cell membrane, affording us unprecedented control over membrane topography. Additionally, we engineer light-activatable and shape-sculpturing proteins to induce membrane curvature through illumination. Through these efforts, we have uncovered the pivotal roles of membrane curvature and curvature-sensing proteins in integrin adhesion, mechanotransduction, ER-PM contact, and endocytosis.

(2) Bioelectronics and Optical Electrophysiology: Advancing the field of electrophysiological recordings with cutting-edge nano-electrodes and mesh electronics tailored for applications in cardiomyocytes, neurons, and organoids. We are also pioneering a novel electrochromic optical recording technique for neuroscience, leveraging electrochromic polymers. These breakthroughs hold immense potential for unraveling the propagation of electrical signals within neuronal networks and cardiac tissues.

We look for talented undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers in the areas of biophysics (optical imaging), cell biology, and nanofabrication.