Dr. Hang Lu
Assistant Professor, School of Chemical and Biomolecular
Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Phone: (404) 894-8473
Fax: (404) 894-2866
Office: ES&T 2228
Research Interests
Dr. Lu's research interests are in the interface of biological systems and Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) / microfluidics. The biological question of interest is the studies of the neural system: how neurons behave and function, how they form networks, how genes and environment together determine diseased states, and how molecular or other interventions can possibly cure these diseases. BioMEMS devices are especially suitable for solving the current technical challenges in neurobiology because of the many advantages associated with shrinking the devices down to a scale comparable to typical biological systems. Furthermore, unique phenomena at the reduced length scale, such as enhanced surface effects and transport phenomena, can be exploited in designing novel techniques.
Her group explores both experimental and modeling approaches to understand how biological systems react to and interact with microenvironment. We bring together molecular and genetic techniques and the micro devices to further our understanding of the complex neural systems. We use simulations to understand molecular transport to and within, forces on, and distribution of fields in model cells or organisms. These simulations then serve to guide the design and microfabrication of the devices. For example, one of our goals is to use micro-systems to understand the roles of adhesion cues and guidance cues in neuronal growth. Micro devices can provide better-controlled and defined delivery of such cues compared to conventional technologies. In facing increasing demand for detailed mechanisms of complex biological systems, we believe that micro devices will serve as an important set of tools for gathering quantitative data for systems biology.