Adam E. Cohen

Adam E. Cohen is a Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and of Physics at Harvard University. His research focuses on developing novel physical tools to study molecular and cellular systems, including voltage-sensing proteins, optical traps, and bioelectrical patterning. He leads the Cohen Lab, which explores interfaces between physics, chemistry, and biology to address questions in neuroscience, cellular mechanics, and developmental biology.

Key projects include the development of fluorescent voltage indicators (e.g., QuasAr6a), the Anti-Brownian Electrokinetic (ABEL) trap for single-molecule manipulation, and synthetic bioelectric systems. His work integrates advanced microscopy, optogenetics, and synthetic biology to study electrical signaling in neurons, cardiac cells, and bacteria. Notable achievements include pioneering all-optical electrophysiology in behaving animals and discovering optical chirality effects in electromagnetic fields.

Scientific awards include the Sackler Prize in Chemistry, HHMI Investigator status, and the PECASE. The lab collaborates widely, with recent projects involving teams from Wash. U., MIT, and the Deisseroth Lab. Research spans disciplines from quantum biology to developmental patterning, with a focus on precision control of biological systems.