Welcome to our lab at College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University!
We aim to invent chemical and biophysical tools to map neuronal activities at high spatiotemporal resolution. We apply these tools to investigate the underlying biological macromolecules, physical forces, and chemical signaling that give rise to neuronal functions. Examples are engineered enzymes, fluorescent indicators, custom-built microscopes and software, etc.
Our methods are drawing from a wide range of techniques, including protein engineering, chemical synthesis, molecular and cellular biology, fluorescence microscopy, high-throughput sequencing, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, and quantitative modeling.
Current research projects include:
We are thrilled to move into our new lab building!
Our fascination with the AIS has extended to its proteome. If exogenous expression of an enzyme for proximity labeling is not feasible, consider immuno-proximity labeling as an alternative!
Redder is better, particularly when it comes to voltage imaging in the tissue. Check out our new strategy of creating red voltage indicators.
Ever wonder what happens when cells are under stress? Now CAP-seq provides insight into their inner workings during these challenging times.
We have combined two previous innovations into a new one: Proximity labeling + Metabolic tagging = Subcellular protein turnover.
Our stroboscopic voltage imaging paper has been selected as ACS Editor's Choice. Congratulations to Luxin!
Our hybrid voltage indicators are upgraded with the development of more photostable dyes.
Check out our new microscope for selecting cells from a functionally heterogeneous population.
Six PhD students and four undergraduates have defended their thesis during the past academic year. Congratulations to all of you!
Peng is humbled and honored to receive the Life Chemistry Award from Chinese Chemical Society.
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Check out our recent addition to the toolbox of genetically encoded photocatalytic proximity labeling.
We proudly present Lab Stars 2022!
Peng joins Bioconjugate Chemistry as a Topic Editor.
We are looking forward to a healthy and happy post-COVID 2023!
Check out our movies recording the dynamics of action potentials during its initiation at the AIS and its back-propagation to somatodendrites.