معرفی
Fabien Pinaud is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics & Astronomy at the University of Southern California, where he leads the Single Molecule Biophotonics Group. His laboratory develops and applies advanced optical imaging and nanomaterial tools to dissect how nanoscale membrane organization controls protein dynamics and cellular signaling in health and muscular-dystrophy-related disease.
Education & Career
- Ph.D. (field not explicitly stated)
- Post-doctoral training (institutions not specified)
- Promoted to Associate Professor at USC in March 2019
Research Interests
Dr. Pinaud’s work resides at the intersection of cell biology, membrane biophysics, mechanobiology, and nanomaterial science. His group uses single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, super-resolution imaging, and plasmonic nanoprobes to:
- Quantify how emerin and LINC-complex proteins organize the nuclear envelope under mechanical stress.
- Uncover nanoscale defects in voltage-gated calcium channels in C. elegans models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
- Design activatable SERS and photoacoustic nanoprobes for cancer diagnostics.
- Elucidate the scaffolding function of caveolin-1 membrane microdomains during mechanotransduction.
Recent Publications & Trends
Over the past decade the lab has produced >60 peer-reviewed articles, with the most recent work (2022–2025) focusing on emerin nanodomain self-assembly, SUN1/LINC complex mechanics, and in vivo single-molecule phenotyping of muscular dystrophy in living animals. A consistent theme is the integration of cutting-edge imaging with quantitative biophysical modeling to link molecular-scale behaviors to cellular and organismal function.
Scientific Awards & Honors
- National Science Foundation – NSF-ANR Research Cooperation grants (DynamoLINC & MechaLINC)
- National Institutes of Health – R01 and R21 grants from NIAMS and NINDS
- NSF Division of Materials Research award for hybrid Raman nanoprobes
- Ming Hsieh Institute for Engineering Medicine grant for cancer research
- Faculty Member, F1000Prime Cell Biology – Membranes and Sorting Section
- Journal cover features in Nature Communications, Life Science Alliance, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Traffic, and others
Training & Mentorship
The Pinaud lab currently mentors graduate students Dai Zhai, Liying Wu, and Yunke Zhao, and hosts undergraduate researchers through USC’s BUGS and NSF-funded TRAINS programs. Since 2012, the group has trained >30 undergraduate, >15 high-school, and numerous rotating and visiting students, producing multiple award-winning theses and conference presentations.
Laboratory & Resources
The Single Molecule Biophotonics Group is housed in Ray Irani Hall 204A on the USC University Park campus. The facility is equipped with custom-built single-molecule fluorescence, super-resolution (PALM/STORM), TIRF, HILO, and SERS imaging systems, complemented by cell-culture and nanomaterial chemistry suites.
