Tao Yeمشاهده پروفایل
دانشیار
Tao Ye is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at the University of California, Merced, where he leads research in the Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines (CCBM) as part of Thrust 2 - Adaptive and Responsive Mesoscale Assemblies. His laboratory occupies 1000 sqft in the Science and Engineering Building (SE1 261) with dedicated wet lab, support rooms, and specialized AFM characterization spaces. His educational background includes a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh (2004) and a B.S. from Peking University (1997). His research focuses on the nanoscale interface between DNA molecules and materials, addressing fundamental questions about DNA conformations at surfaces, surface-mediated molecular recognition, and programmable assembly at solid-liquid interfaces. Research Interests: Developing nanoscale surface chemistry for biomolecule manipulation at single-molecule resolution Creating artificial analogs of biological motors using DNA-nanomaterial hybrids Engineering ultra-sensitive biosensors through precise control of DNA interfaces Investigating DNA self-assembly mechanisms at solid surfaces using atomic force microscopy Developing novel attachment chemistries for functionalizing diverse materials with DNA His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on DNA-nanomaterial interfaces, with particular focus on surface-confined DNA behavior, electrochemical effects on DNA adhesion, and DNA-directed assembly of plasmonic and magnetic nanostructures. His work bridges fundamental surface science with practical biosensor applications, increasingly incorporating computational modeling to explain experimental observations. Scientific Awards and Funding: NASA $5 million center grant (2015) for space exploration nanomaterials DOE grant (2020) for programmable self-assembly strategies NSF CRIF grant for advanced AFM instrumentation UC Merced COVID-19 seed funding (2020) for viral antigen detection NSF grant (2014) for DNA nanostructure self-assembly studies Professor Ye actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, with recent advisees including Paniz (PhD completed 2022), Melissa Goodlad, Zach, and Yichen Li. His lab has successfully trained numerous PhD candidates who have transitioned to positions at Intel, NASA, and biotechnology companies. The group maintains strong collaborations with the Martini group at UC Merced and other institutions for computational modeling support. The Ye Research Group operates a well-equipped laboratory featuring a customized Agilent atomic force microscope with temperature/electrochemical control, an NT-MDT INTEGRA AFM integrated with fluorescence microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, potentiostats, plasma cleaners, and specialized surface modification equipment. This infrastructure supports their multi-technique approach combining biochemistry, biophysics, and surface chemistry.
