Dr. Liaohai Chen is a molecular biologist and group leader of the Phys-Bio group in the Biosciences Division at Argonne National Laboratory.  He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Rush University Medical Center.  As a molecular biologist, but trained in physical science, Dr. Chen’s research focuses on bridging bioscience and physical science, thereby producing new tools and methods that will revolutionize current biological research (Fig. 1).  Consistent with this focus, Dr. Chen has appropriately dubbed his lab the Phys-Bio group. 

The Phys-Bio group is harnessing the opportunities in nanotechnology and advanced optical spectroscopy to create novel platforms of high-throughput biophysics, proteomics at the single molecule level, molecular imaging and smart imaging probes, and a synthetic self-replicator.  With these tools it is possible to tackle the remaining challenges in regenerative medicine, oncology, systems biology and synthetic biology.  To achieve such cross-disciplinary goals group members in Dr. Chen’s lab include a molecular biologist, synthetic organic chemist, cell biologist, physical/material scientist, and a laser spectroscopic scientist. 

Fig.1

Research Group at Argonne National Laboratory

1. Nanotechnology enabled systems biology

• High throughput comprehensive protein characterization
• Single phage display
• Single cell proteomics

2. High throughput screening with single molecule sensitivity

• Protein/virus sorting
• DNA sorting

3. Molecular imaging and smart imaging probes

• Lifetime optical imaging
• Novel imaging probes based on hybrid virus (phage, adenovirus and virus mimics)
• Organic quantum particle

4. Systems biology of human embryonic stem cells

Research Group at Rush University Medical Center

1. Gynecology

• Multidimensional evaluation of cancer biomarkers in serum
• Cancer biomarker identification from low abundant proteins
• Ovarian cancer stem cell

2. Synthetic Biology

• Create artificial protocells   

Group capabilities developed or under development

1. Advanced Spectroscopy

• Raman spectroscopy for protein characterization
• Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and time resolved fluorescence anisotropy
• Life time spectroscopes
• Single molecule spectroscopy
• AFM and NSOM

2. Micro/Nano Fabrication

• Chips for single biomarker molecule detection from body fluids
• Protein gradient chip

3. Affinity nano-particles and imaging probes

4. Systems Biology

• Platform for comprehensive protein characterization
• Assay for single phage display
• Sensor for single DNA detection
• Method of protein/virus sorting
• In vivo functional imaging

5. Biology

• Human embryonic stem cells
• Phage display

6. Chemistry

• Traceless photo-cleavable cross-linkers
• F18 glucose and 99mTc nanoparticles
• Organic quantum particles
• Artificial protocell

Click on an image below to learn more about the Phys-Bio Group's research