Research in the Yu group is focused on Nanotechnology for Biophysics and Biomedicine. We aim to better understand, detect, and engineer immunity and diseases, by developing novel tools based on nanotechnology and advanced imaging.
Biophysics of Immune Cells and Membranes
We utilize advanced nanotechnology tools and advanced super-resolution imaging techniques to explore cell communication, from how membrane receptors interact and cooperate to determine cell functions, to how membrane organelles organize and communicate within cells to exchange information.
Representative recent publications:
1. “Cholesterol-Dependent Membrane Deformation by Metastable Viral Capsids Facilitates Entry”, Jiao, M.; Danthi, P.; Yu, Y. ACS Infectious Disease, 2024. [link]
2. “Propulsive cell entry diverts pathogens from immune degradation by remodeling the phagocytic synapse”, Zhang, Z.; Gaetjens, T.; Ou, J.; Zhou, Q.; Yu, Y.-q; Mallory, D. P.; Abel, S. M.; Yu, Y. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 2023, 120 (49) e2306788120. [link]
3. “Geometrical Reorganization of Dectin-1 and TLR2 on Single Phagosomes Alters Their Synergistic Immune Signaling”, Li, W.; Yan, J.; Yu, Y. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 2019, 116, 25106-114. [link]
Nano-tools for Disease Detection and Diagnosis
We develop nanomaterial-based analytical tools to detect and quantify biochemical reactions and dynamics within living cells. Our long-term goal is to develop quantitative diagnostic tools for detecting abnormal processes in diseased cells and identifying therapeutic approaches.
Representative recent publications and patents:
1. “Real-time Simultaneous Imaging of Acidification and Proteolysis in Single Phagosomes Using Bifunctional Janus Particle Probes”, Lee, S.; Zhang, Z.; Yu, Y. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 26734–26739 [link]
2. “Kinetics of phagosome maturation is coupled to their intracellular motility”, Yu, Y.-q.; Zhang, Z.; Walpole, G. F.; Yu, Y. Communications Biology, 2022, 5, 1014. [link]
3. Patent application: Multi-channel reporter particle and methods or making and using the same. PCT/US2022/076520.
Biophysics-Based Strategies for Immune and Infection Therapy
Building upon our biophysical understanding of immune functions, cells, we design nanomaterials for modulating innate immune responses for cancer and immune therapies. From our mechanistic nanomaterial-microbe studies, we also engineer novel antimicrobial nanomaterials against multi-drug resistant pathogens.
Representative recent publications and patents:
1. “Harnessing the Pre-metastatic Niche Macrophages through the Induction of Trained Immunity to Control Metastasis via the Sphingosine Lipid-Mitochondrial Fission Pathway”, Ding, C.; et al. Yu, Y.; Yan, J. Nature Immunology, 2023, 24, 239-254. [link]
2. “Macrophage Activation on Phagocytic Synapse Arrays: Spacing of Nanoclustered Ligands Directs TLR1/2 Signaling with an Intrinsic Limit”, Li, M.; Wang, H.; Li, W.; Xu, X. G.; Yu, Y. Science Advances, 2020, 6, eabc8482. [link]
3. “Antibacterial Activity of Amphiphilic Janus Nanoparticles Enhanced by Polycationic Ligands”, Wiemann, J.; Nguyen, D.; Bhattacharyya, S.; Li, Y.; Yu, Y. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 2023, 6, 21, 20398–20409. [link]
4. Approved patents: Artificial antigen-presenting cells and methods for producing and using the same, PCT/US 10,556,016 B2 & PCT/US 11,833,218 B2.
5. Patent application: Antibiotic amphiphilic nanoparticle and methods of using the same against Gram-negative and/or Gram-positive bacteria. PCT/US2023/062203.