Welcome to the Yu group!
Nanotechnology for Biophysics and Biomedicine
We employ nanotechnology and advanced optical imaging to understand cell functions and engineer nanomaterials for biomedical diagnosis and therapeutics.
Immune cells engulf Janus particles.
Single-molecule imaging of T cell receptors (red) and actin (green) in the immunological synapse.
A bifunctional Janus particle activates a T cell.
Join Us
We have openings for highly motivated graduate and undergraduate students. Please send your inquiry and CV to Dr. Yan Yu.
Group Highlights
January 2024: We are excited to welcome four new lab members: first-year graduate students Avani (ACS Bridge Fellow) and Navin, and postdocs Yiming and Yi!
October 2023: Zihan’s paper is accepted to publish in PNAS! In this paper, he used magnetic tweezers to manipulate the parasite Toxoplasma and showed that propulsion forces applied during pathogen cell entry allow them to evade immune degradation.
October 2023: Jared’s paper is accepted to publish in ACS Applied Nano Materials! In this paper, he demonstrated the potent antibacterial activity of Janus nanoparticles. This publication follows our recent patent applications.
October 2023: Yanqi’s paper is accepted by Journal of Physical Chemistry B! In this paper, he revealed how actin-to-microtubule transition of phagosomes influences their degradation functions.