Group Photo

Many modern scientific challenges are multiscale in nature. We develop and apply computational tools to address biological and materials problems across broad length and time scales.

How chromatin folds to regulate gene expression is a fundamental problem in biology. We have developed a “3D forest” model to understand the hierarchical structure of our genome.

Interfaces are critical in life systems and nanomaterials. We carry out theoretical investigation on interfacial properties with special interest in wetting and nanoconfined transport.

End-tethered polymers and block copolymers tend to microphase separate. We are interested in how the topological constraints affect the microphase separation.

Intrinsically disordered proteins have been recognized to play important roles in cells. Here, we built a digital “microscope” to visualize the disordered nuclear pore lumen.

Smart materials are materials that respond to external stimuli. We take inspiration from nature to theoretically guide the rational design of smart soft materials.