Advanced Bioimaging Techniques and Bio/medical Applications (첨단 바이오 이미징 기술 및 생물학/의약학 응용 연구)
While optical microscopes have been pivotal in expanding our insights into biology and medicine by unveiling the microscopic world, the quest for superior imaging performance and new imaging capabilities still persists. We’re at the forefront of this quest, pioneering advanced optical microscopy techniques. By synergizing the foundations of physics, chemistry, and engineering with computational strategies like deep learning (딥 러닝), denoising, deconvolution, we strive to revolutionize both hardware and software aspects of microscopic imaging. Beyond our core innovations, our team delves into both independent and partnered research to unearth novel bio-applications powered by our advanced tools.
(1) Super-resolution Microscopy (초고분해능 현미경)
Single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM, aka STORM) is a cellular fluorescence imaging technique with a revolutionary imaging resolution of as low as 10 nm (awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2014). For its broader applicability toward tissue and small animals, Dr. Kim has developed a new STORM platform (obSTORM in Nature Methods 2019) based on oblique light-sheet imaging method. Here at SNU, our focus lies in pushing the boundaries of imaging resolution and speed in cellular and tissue-level STORM and discovering new nano-scale biological structures that have never been explored.
Conventional fluorescence image of a cell. Microtubules are stained with dye molecules.
Single molecule video acquisition & localization analysis for sparsely excited dye molecules
Super-resolution image reconstruction by accumulating all localization data
Design and Analysis of Optical/Mechanical System
Microscopy Instrumentation & Imaging Experiments
Image Analysis: New Algorithm Development
Novel SMLM Methods: AI-based, Volumetric, Functional STORM
New Bio/medical Research
(2) High-speed Volumetric Imaging (고속 3차원 이미징)
While many biological phenomena in living samples occur in three dimensions in real time, it is difficult to visualize them at good spatio-temporal resolution. Based on light-sheet microscopy and computational imaging approaches, we are developing rapid volumetric bioimaging tools, targeted for cellular and developmental biology, which enable time-lapse 3D observation of rapidly changing biological events.
Optical/Mechanical Design: In-house Water Chamber for Biological Samples
Hardware Interface & Optical Experiments
Software-based Image Improvement (Deep learning, deconvolution, etc)
Application study: Cellular and Developmental Biology & Other fields
(3) Advanced Optical Imaging Theory and Computational Imaging (고등 광학 이미징 이론 및 전산 이미징)
It may seem simple to focus light or image an object through a “lens”, but its accurate theoretical prediction can be very complicated (or even impossible) for a large numerical aperture lens used in microscopy and lithography. We are interested in utilizing our lab’s theoretical expertise in rigorous image formation (such as partially coherent imaging and vector diffraction theory) to develop a variety of important applications: point spread function (PSF) engineering, super-resolution imaging, quantitative phase imaging, adaptive optics, etc. It is also of our interest to apply computational approaches like deep learning to these applications. (*J. Kim et al., JOSAA 35, 526-535, 2018)
Optical System Modeling & Vectorial Field Tracing/Calculation*
Optical System Analysis: Theoretical PSF* & Transfer Function
Computational Imaging: New Methods or Algorithms
Quantitative Phase Imaging of Semi-Transparent Objects (like Cells)
(4) Bio/medical Application Research (바이오 이미징 기술을 활용한 생물학 및 의약학 응용연구)
Currently, our research using bioimaging is focused on:
Nanoscale Structure Analysis (나노 구조 분석): We investigate the nanoscale structures of both known and unknown organelles. This includes studying the intricate interactions between proteins or organelles and mapping the distribution and density of specific proteins. These insights are pivotal for advancing scientific knowledge and developing therapeutic strategies. Deep learning also plays a key role in this research.
Ophthalmology Research (안과학 연구): We aim to unravel the complex pathologies behind retinal diseases such as epiretinal membranes (ERM, 망막 전막) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR, 증식당뇨망막병증). Our goal is to enhance the understanding of these conditions to improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Therapeutic Nanomaterials (치료용 나노소재): We explore the therapeutic effects of nanomaterials, including gold nanoparticles, for advanced disease treatment. Our research seeks to harness the unique properties of these materials to develop innovative treatments for various medical conditions.
To conduct this research, we utilize advanced imaging techniques alongside molecular biology methods, such as qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA. We also employ various biochemical & cellular assays, including CCK-8, live/dead, TUNEL, EdU, Luminex, and cell migration assays.
Interaction Between F-actin and Fibronectin
Density and Distribution of a Protein of Interest
Structural Dynamics of Filopodia
Human Müller cells: TGF-β Exposure
Optical Manipulation Technology (광학 조작 기술)
Optical tweezers, a fascinating scientific concept to grab and manipulate microscopic objects like nano particles or cells (awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2018), have opened a new door to biophysics research. We are interested in advancing this manipulation technique in a new fashion, combined together with our rapid 3D imaging tool, to enable real-time 3D monitoring/control for broader applications including but not limited to cell mechanics, cell sorting, and optogenetics.
Biophotonic Devices and Systems (생체광학 소자 및 시스템)
Based on the previous research in lasers, plasmonics and metamaterials (see below), we are interested in devising new photonic devices/systems for biological, healthcare and industrial applications, with an emphasis on new cellular research, medical diagnostics and therapeutics and bio/chemical sensing.
Nanolaser Systems: Design, Fabrication, and Characterization
Perovskite nano laser device & Single photon emitter
Plasmonics: Nano-focusing, optical resonance, etc.
Metasurface: Light control via engineered nanostructure