Jesse Chi Wang Ph.D
Assistant Professor Analytical and Physical Chemistry
Purdue University
Title: Seeing and Steering: Chemically Selective Imaging and Precise Control of Biomolecular Functions in Live Cells
Abstract: Understanding complex biological functions and tracking pathological changes require measurement of chemical compositions in biological systems. Advances in optical microscopy have enabled high-resolution mapping of physical and chemical properties, with Coherent Raman Scattering (CRS) microscopy emerging as a powerful tool for imaging lipids and pharmaceutical compounds in biological samples. In this presentation, I will highlight recent technological breakthroughs and fundamental insights in CRS spectroscopy and microscopy from my research group. I will also briefly share discoveries made by multimodal imaging on cellular responses to stress. The core focus of this talk will be Real-Time Precision Opto-Control (RPOC), a novel technology for site-specific, chemically selective control of subcellular processes with submicron precision. RPOC goes beyond passive chemical imaging to enable active, localized manipulation, including the generation of reactive oxygen species, drug activation, photo-uncaging of small molecules, regulation of cell division, and selective cell elimination. These capabilities have provided new insights into site-specific molecular functions and enable sub-organelle-level microsurgery in live cells. In living animals, RPOC further enhances the control and analysis of calcium waves induced by ATP uncaging and tissue wounding. I will discuss the development and applications of RPOC, highlighting its transformative impact on biological and medical research.
Bio: Dr. Chi Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Purdue University. He earned his Ph.D. in 2014 from the University of Michigan, specializing in surface nonlinear optical spectroscopy. From 2014 to 2020, his postdoctoral work at Purdue University, Boston University, and the University of Illinois focused on nonlinear optical spectroscopy and imaging for biomedical research. Dr. Zhang’s current research focuses on developing novel optical imaging and opto-control technologies for biological applications.