Although protein-coding genes have been the primary focus of molecular biology, they cannot fully explain the complexities of stem cell differentiation and epigenetic regulation. These intricate processes are largely directed by the non-coding genome, which includes regulatory elements and various non-coding RNAs. Our goal is to systematically decipher the functions and mechanisms of these elements in controlling cell fate and maintaining epigenetic states. The unique properties of non-coding RN...

Traditional paradigm of cell-surface interactions has been dominated by the study of proteins and lipids. The recent discovery of glycosylated RNAs (glycoRNAs) on the cell membranes surface represents a fundamental expansion of this landscape. These novel biomolecules, where classical N-glycans are conjugated to non-coding RNAs, challenge our understanding of the molecular language of cellular communication. We are investigating the precise roles that membrane-associated RNAs play in mediating c...

Understanding microbe-host interactions has been limited by technological barriers in simultaneously observing both partners within complex biological systems. Traditional methods often analyze microbial and host components separately, missing critical spatial and temporal dynamics of their interaction. We are developing innovative co-detection technologies that can jointly capture and quantify the molecular activities of microbes and hosts together in situ. This will enable us to systematically...