Single-Molecule Catalysis and Biophysics

At the Shen Research Group, our passion lies in pioneering cutting-edge single-molecule techniques to delve deep into nanomaterials and biological systems. What sets our approach apart from traditional methods is its ability to eliminate the ensemble averaging effect. In simpler terms, rather than examining multiple targets simultaneously, we observe the objects one at a time. This provides us with unmatched spatial and temporal resolutions, allowing us to capture intricate chemical images and analyze dynamic processes in detail.

News

• 2024/4: Congrats to Bishal for winning the highly competitive Bush Teaching Award and poster award!
• 2023/12: The Shen group is expanding! We have more lab space, and a new three-color imaging system is currently under construction!

  

  

  

  

  
  
• 2023/7: Cassidy Belk successfully conducted her summer REU research in our group. Cassidy will apply for graduate school in the fall. Good luck, Cassidy!
• 2023/5: We bid farewell to Li Zuo, who did a very successful exchange program at KSU and will continue his Ph.D. at NJU.
• 2023/4: We collaborated with the Mao group and created the world first “Magnetic tweezer-HILO super-res microscope“. This state-of-the-art instrument enables the  observation of mechano-electron spin coupling in catalysis for the first time!

  

  

  
  
• 2023/2: We collaborated with the Mao group and created the “coronazyme,” an enzyme-mimicking catalyst with exceptional activity and selectivity! See our work in JACS!

  

  

  
  
• 2022/9: Akter, the first Ph.D. from the Shen group, is now a Senior Scientist at Catalent!
• 2022/6: Hallie successfully defended her M.S. thesis and became an Associate Scientist at Smithers. Congratulations!
• 2021/7: Madelyn defended her M.S. and became a Ph.D. student at Tulane University, School of Medicine!