Current research themes
We are developing novel engineering concepts that bypass the fundamental limitations in current bio-imaging to draw complete scenes of complex biological events.
Connectomics
The brain functions as networks of neurons. However, the detailed wiring diagram at the single-neuron level has been hardly revealed. Drawing a complete map of wiring (“connectome”) remains a great challenge in neuroscience and bio-imaging. We recreate the brain in special forms that reveal the immense networks. We aim to finally seek the mathematical rules: how neural networks build a whole brain. Our challenge is supported by the Suh Kyungbae Foundation.
Spatial transcriptomics
The trend of current biology has rapidly shifted to single-cell transcriptomics, and the field is further demanding transcriptomes contained in images—”spatial transcriptomics”. We are trying creative engineering ideas to present efficient imaging tools that produce more complete transcriptomic information in spatial context.
Image from Nature Methods 18(1). © Springer Nature.
Refer to an article in the issue: Method of the year: spatially resolved transcriptomics
Multi-functional medical imaging
Functional medical imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), can measure and visualize functions in living bodies. Based on the knowledge uncovered by our reverse tissue engineering approach, we convert existing functional medical imaging methods to novel multi-functional ones. We are developing precision diagnosis tools for diseases including cancers and Alzheimer’s disease.