Area of expertise
coherent Raman scattering microscopy, nanofluidic proteomics, cancer metastasis, obesity-related diseases
Dr. Le is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy. He received a BA degree from the University of California, Berkeley, a PhD degree from the University of Chicago and a postdoctoral fellowship from Purdue University. His research laboratory develops novel microscopy and proteomics technologies for biomedical research.
Education
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
Ph.D., University of Chicago
Postdoc, Purdue University
Research Interests
Our research laboratory develops novel imaging and fluidic technologies for biomarker discovery and translation. We develop stimulated Raman scattering microscopy for label-free visualization of steatosis in pathologic tissues for early-stage disease detection. In addition, we develop nanofluidic technologies to detect protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) in tissue and liquid biopsies. We use protein PTM profiles as surrogates for signal transduction activities to classify disease subtypes. We exploit signal transduction pathways as therapeutic targets for nutrition intervention using synergistic combinations of phytonutrients, or natural compounds found in plants. Furthermore, we develop electroporative micro- and milli-fluidic technologies for circulating tumor cell diagnostics and therapeutics. Collectively, our technologies are suitable for the studies of obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cancer metastasis, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Affiliations
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Awards
2015 Southern Nevada Innovator Healthcare Hero
Publications
Urasaki Y, Fiscus RR, Le TT. Molecular classification of fatty liver by high-throughput profiling of protein post-translational modifications. J Pathol 238:641-650 (2016). PMID: 26725750.
Urasaki Y, Zhang C, Cheng JX, Le TT. Quantitative assessment of liver steatosis and affected pathways with molecular imaging and proteomic profiling. Sci Rep 8:3606 (2018). PMID: 29483581.
Urasaki Y & Le TT. Differentiation of essential oils using nanofluidic protein post-translational modification profiling. Molecules 24, 2383 (2019). PMID: 31252611.
Urasaki Y, Beaumont C, Workman M, Talbot JN, Hill DK, Le TT. Potency assessment of CBD oils by their effects on cell signaling pathways. Nutrients 12, 357 (2020). PMID: 32019055.
Urasaki Y, Beaumont C, Workman M, Talbot JN, Hill DK, Le TT. Fast-acting and receptor-mediated regulation of neuronal signaling pathways by copaiba essential oil. Int J Mol Sci 21, 2259 (2020). PMID: 32218156.
Urasaki Y, Beaumont C, Talbot JN, Hill DK, Le TT. Akt3 regulates the tissue-specific response to copaiba essential oil. Int J Mol Sci 21, 2851 (2020). PMID: 32325885.