Gao Ruixuan

Ruixuan Gao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). His research focuses on developing chemical and imaging tools to study molecular components and processes in biological systems. He specializes in expansion microscopy, light-sheet microscopy, and nanoscale imaging techniques to investigate nervous system structures, synaptic transmission, and pathological mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.

Education: Postdoctoral Associate at MIT/HHMI Janelia Research Campus (2015-2020), Ph.D. from Harvard University (2015), B.S. from UC Berkeley (2009).

Research interests include molecular assembly dynamics, synaptic ultrastructure, and Alzheimer’s disease pathology. His lab develops innovative methods like gel-assisted mass spectrometry imaging (GAMSI) and swellable hydrogels to map cellular components at unprecedented resolutions. Recent work bridges microscopy innovation with applications in neuroscience and cancer biology.

Publications emphasize breakthroughs in nanoscale imaging, optogenetics, and molecular probe design. Collaborations with institutions like MIT, Harvard, and HHMI highlight interdisciplinary approaches to biomedical challenges.