I am a biophysicist interested in decoding viral life cycles—especially viral DNA replication and DNA packaging—from a single-molecule perspective. My goal is to deepen our understanding of these fundamental processes and potentially open new pathways for treating genetic diseases and preventing potential future viral threats.

I currently work as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Professor Carlos Bustamante’s laboratory at UC Berkeley. My work focuses on a virally encoded molecular motor that packages the viral genome into a preassembled container. By investigating how these packaging machines harness ATP binding, hydrolysis, and release to generate mechanical force, we aim to shed light on the intricacies of viral assembly and function.

Prior to joining UC Berkeley, I pursued my PhD and postdoctoral research in Professor Gijs Wuite’s laboratory at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Employing advanced single-molecule techniques, we revisited fundamental DNA replication mechanisms using a simplified bacteriophage T7 system. One key finding revealed that replication is more dynamic than previously believed, prompting us to propose a “decentralized model,” as detailed in our recent Nature Communications publication.

My Master of Science degree was obtained at the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, under the guidence of Professors Zhiguo Su and Yongdong Liu. During this period, my research centered on novel approaches to long-acting biopharmaceuticals, including PEGylation and albumin-binding domain fusion, aimed at enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

• Single-Molecule Biophysics
• DNA-Protein Interactions
• Single-Molecule Manipulation& Visualization
• DNA Packaging
• Biopharmaceuticals

Feel free to explore my repositories and reach out to me for collaborations or discussions related to (single-molecule)biophysics and biochemical research.