The Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC) will host Dr. Bin Dong, an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the U of A, at 12:55 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in ARKV 0002. Dr. Dong will discuss using high throughput single-entity spectroscopy and super-resolution microscopy to study fundamental chemical and biological processes at the molecular and nano scales.

Abstract: Our society faces an array of formidable challenges, from the relentless battle against cancer to the crisis of energy shortages. Addressing these critical issues necessitates the development of advanced materials that can have a variety of applications - from drug development, to more effective treatment procedures for cancer, to energy efficiency. A thorough comprehension of the physical phenomena governing chemical and biological processes is crucial. Optical microscopy imaging of single molecules and particles has emerged as a crucial tool in studying fundamental chemical and biological processes at the molecular and nano scales. By elucidating static and dynamic heterogeneities among seemingly identical molecules, it transcends the limitations of traditional ensemble experiments and inspires new discoveries. In Dong's research lab, the overarching aim is to pioneer new frontiers in chemical and biological exploration through the development and utilization of innovative optical imaging platforms. These cutting-edge methods offer nanometer-scale spatial resolution, microsecond to millisecond temporal resolution, exceptional sensitivity and the ability to detect single entities, all while providing rich chemical information. Dong's lab leverages these optical techniques to delve into vital chemical and biological processes such as endocytosis, cell mechanics, cancer migration, heterogeneous catalysis in solid catalysts, and structural and morphological changes in nanomaterials. The outcomes of this research will profoundly influence the design of disease treatments, catalysts and functional materials. In this seminar, Dong will share his lab's work on developing high-throughput single-molecule single-particle hyperspectral microscopy and its application in biochemical imaging.

Biography: Bin Dong is an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the U of A. Dong received his B.S. from Xiamen University in 2007, did Ph.D. work with Prof. Ning Fang at Iowa State University from 2011 to 2015 and continued his postdoctoral research with Fang at Georgia State University. Dong joined the U of A in fall 2021. His research develops newly advanced optical microscopy imaging and spectroscopy systems and investigates dynamics processes in functional materials and biophysics under in-situ conditions. Current studies include single-molecule imaging, super-resolution imaging, single particle tracking, advanced optical microscopy and spectroscopy systems development. Dong's work is currently funded by the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (ACS PRF), a Doctoral New Investigator grant and a seed grant from the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP).

This event is supported by NIGMS of the National Institutes of Health under award number P20GM139768. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Pizza and beverages will be served. Please contact Kimberley Fuller, fullerk@uark.edu, for more information.

For those unable to attend in person, this seminar will also be available via Zoom.