Vladislav Verkhusha

Vladislav Verkhusha is a Professor in the Department of Genetics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Co-Director of the Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center. His research focuses on designing synthetic biology and optogenetic tools for manipulating biological processes across scales, from molecules to mammals, with an emphasis on developing fluorescent and photochromic probes for deep-tissue imaging. He leads efforts in engineering near-infrared (NIR) probes, biosensors, and optogenetic systems that leverage bacterial phytochrome photoreceptors (BphPs) and biliverdin chromophores.

Key research areas include:

• Development of NIR fluorescent proteins optimized for deep-tissue penetration and spectral multiplexing
• Optogenetic systems controllable with far-red/NIR light for non-invasive in vivo manipulation
• Biosensors for intracellular ions, metabolites, and protein interactions
• High-throughput protein engineering approaches, including directed evolution and structural design

Notable advancements include the creation of biliverdin reductase knockout mouse models for enhanced imaging, small near-infrared fluorescent proteins (smiRFPs), and light-controllable receptor tyrosine kinases. His work bridges molecular engineering, biophotonics, and translational applications in cancer research and neurobiology.

Publications span top journals such as Nature Communications, Nature Methods, and Nature Biomedical Engineering, with a focus on interdisciplinary innovations in imaging and optogenetic technologies.