My work explores the intricate interplay between the glycocalyx—a complex carbohydrate layer on cell surfaces—and membrane lipids to reveal their roles in cellular organization, signaling, and protein trafficking. By bridging glycobiology and membrane biophysics, my work uncovers the nanoscale principles that govern cellular function, and I will apply these insights to innovate in areas like cancer therapeutics, immunology, and biomanufacturing.
In my graduate research, I developed a genetically encoded toolkit to engineer the glycocalyx, enabling precise control of its chemical and physical properties. Using this platform, I discovered how the glycocalyx regulates cellular adhesion and survival. Notably, I patented a mucin-rich glycocalyx coating to mitigate cellular aggregation in bioreactors, addressing a key bottleneck in biomanufacturing. My final project unveiled the glycocalyx’s profound role in shaping cell membrane morphology.
During my postdoctoral training, I investigated how cellular membrane composition and biophysical properties influence protein organization, trafficking, and epithelial polarization. I developed innovative methods to measure lipid raft domains' nanoscale properties in living cells and revealed the critical role of membrane nanodomains in regulating transmembrane protein sorting and trafficking. This work highlights how lipid-protein interactions shape membrane function, with implications for understanding fundamental cell biology and disease mechanisms.
My research aims to illuminate the interplay between the glycocalyx and membrane nanodomains to understand their roles in cellular function. By integrating glycobiology and membrane biophysics, I will explore how these structures coordinate protein trafficking, signaling, and membrane organization. This work will inform the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for cancer, immunotherapy, and other diseases while advancing biophysical principles for engineering cellular behavior. Ultimately, I aim to transform our understanding of epithelial tissue function and pioneer new approaches to manipulate cellular interfaces for health applications.