RNA modifications are crucial in various biological processes, and their dysregulation is associated with many diseases. Despite their importance, the mechanisms by which these modifications, including the recently discovered glycoRNAs, influence cellular functions or contribute to diseases, are not well understood. While progress has been made in this area, there are still major technical barriers to detecting and understanding RNA modifications as they occur in their original places in living cells.

Our lab is dedicated to developing chemical biology tools for interdisciplinary research in chemistry, biology, and biomedical applications. Our primary focus is developing chemical biology tools for in situ studies of RNA modifications. We will investigate the nature of RNA modifications, such as glycoRNAs and epigenetic RNAs, to gain insights into their biological mechanisms and their relationships with diseases. We will also expand the toolboxes to study RNA and proteins.  We aim to disclose their complex molecular distributions and interactions within cells. Additionally, we will elucidate how RNA molecules interact with other molecules to carry out their functions within cells. In addition, we also aim to develop novel analytical methods to utilize RNA and proteins as biomarkers for disease early detection. Through these efforts, we strive to advance the fundamental knowledge of chemical biology and contribute to translational science in disease early detection.