Bianxiao Cui Lab

The Cui lab is dedicated to developing cutting-edge technologies 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 the cell membrane, such as membrane curvature, and their role in regulating intracellular processes at the plasma membrane. We use nanofabrication to engineer nanoscale structures that deform the cell membrane, affording us precise control over membrane curvature in live cells. Additionally, we engineer light-activatable and shape-sculpturing proteins to induce membrane curvature through light illumination. Through these efforts, we explore the roles of membrane curvature and curvature-sensing proteins in integrin-mediated adhesions, actin polymerization, ER-PM contact, and tyrosine kinase activities.

(2) Bioelectronics: Advancing the field of electrophysiology with cutting-edge nano-electrodes and mesh electronics tailored for applications in cardiomyocytes, neurons, and organoids. We are also developing a novel electrochromic optical recording (ECORE) technique for label-free optical recording of electrogenic cells. These technologies hold the potential for unraveling the propagation of electrical signals within neuronal networks and cardiac tissues.

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