From single molecules to biomedical applications
Research
Revealing biology with light.
Building tools for better measurement.
We develop optical biosensors, bioanalytical methods, and instrumentation to study molecular and cellular activity, measure interactions relevant to drug discovery, and address unmet diagnostic needs. Our research connects advances in imaging with practical biomedical applications.
01
Research thrust
Plasmonic and evanescent imaging of molecular and cellular activities
How can we observe individual proteins and cellular processes without fluorescent labels? We develop microscopes that turn small changes in scattered light and surface interactions into quantitative measurements.
Plasmonic imaging across biological scales. Our microscopy toolkit connects single-protein detection and molecular binding measurements with studies of cellular activity, secreted proteins, exosomes, and cell mechanics.
Author-provided overview artwork for Zhang, P., Zhou, X. & Wang, S. (2023), Chemistry–Methods, e202200066. Original composition retained; resized for display.
Single-protein characterization
We combine evanescent imaging with single-protein oscillators to measure protein size, charge, mobility, and binding. These measurements help distinguish individual molecules and reveal variation that ensemble methods can miss. Recent work applies this approach to therapeutic antibody aggregation and quality assessment.
Dynamic cellular activity
Our plasmonic imaging platforms investigate electrical signals, cell-released protein complexes, and mechanical activity at the single-cell level. Plasmonic cell force microscopy maps cell force dynamics without labels, while plasmonic thermal microscopy enables rapid temperature control for studying temperature-sensitive ion channels.
Selected publications
- Evaluating antibody quality with single-protein oscillatorsAnalytical Chemistry · 2026
- Plasmonic cell force microscopySmall · 2025
- Plasmonic scattering microscopy: from single molecules to single cellsChemistry–Methods · 2023
- Optical imaging of single-protein size, charge, mobility and bindingNature Communications · 2020
02
Research thrust
Label-free quantification of molecular interactions
How strongly does a molecule bind, and how quickly does it attach and release? We develop optical methods to answer these questions for proteins, small molecules, and membrane receptors, with an emphasis on preserving their biological environment.
Binding kinetics on individual cells
We use plasmonic scattering microscopy to study membrane-protein binding directly on cells. Resolving individual cells reveals differences in binding behavior that are hidden in population averages. Our ongoing work aims to increase throughput for drug screening and studies of cellular heterogeneity.
Virion-display nano-oscillator arrays
In collaboration with researchers at Johns Hopkins University, we display human membrane proteins in viral envelopes tethered to sensor chips. Tracking their electrically driven oscillations reveals ligand binding without extracting and reconstituting the membrane proteins. DNA barcoding extends this approach toward multiplexed measurements of small-molecule binding kinetics.
Multiplexed binding measurements with virion nano-oscillators. Membrane proteins displayed on virions are coupled to gold nanoparticles and tethered to a sensor surface. Plasmonic imaging tracks their electrically driven motion, while DNA barcodes identify different sensors for parallel binding measurements.
TOC / graphical abstract from Cao, S.-H. et al. (2025), Angewandte Chemie International Edition 64, e202506464. Original image retained; resized for display.
Selected publications
- DNA-barcoded virion nano-oscillators for multiplexed membrane-protein binding measurementsAngewandte Chemie International Edition · 2025
- In situ membrane-protein binding kinetics and cell–surface adhesion using PSMAngewandte Chemie International Edition · 2022
- Critical angle reflection imaging for quantification of molecular interactions on glass surfaceNature Communications · 2021
- Measuring ligand binding kinetics to membrane proteins using virion nano-oscillatorsJournal of the American Chemical Society · 2018
03
Research thrust
Optical imaging-based medical diagnostic technologies
How can optical measurements help address unmet clinical needs? Working with clinical, microbiology, and industry collaborators, we develop imaging platforms and assays for faster bacterial testing, sensitive blood biomarker detection, and cell therapy monitoring.
Rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Large-volume video microscopy records individual bacteria in a patient sample. Machine learning analyzes the images to support pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. The report shown is an illustrative example.
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Large-volume scattering imaging tracks individual bacteria and their responses to antibiotics. Combined with machine learning, the approach supports rapid phenotypic testing. We have evaluated prototypes using urinary tract infection samples and are extending the technology to tuberculosis drug susceptibility testing.
Blood biomarkers at the point of care
We develop digital immunoassays that count individual molecules or nanoparticles to detect low concentrations of cardiac biomarkers in small blood samples. With Mayo Clinic collaborators, we are advancing microfluidic assays and portable prototypes toward clinical validation.
Monitoring CAR T-cell therapy
We are developing optical methods to quantify circulating CAR T-cells and, in related ongoing work, therapy-associated cytokines. Our 2026 proof-of-concept study combines selective cell capture with machine learning-assisted imaging to detect CAR T-cells in spiked whole blood, providing a foundation for further development and clinical evaluation.
Selected publications
- Machine learning-assisted rapid optical imaging for label-free CAR T-cell detection in whole bloodBiosensors · 2026
- Rapid phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing with multichannel large-volume scattering imagingAnalytical Chemistry · 2025
- Label-free single-molecule immunoassayAdvanced Science · 2025
- Microfluidic digital immunoassay for point-of-care detection of NT-proBNP from whole bloodAnalytical Chemistry · 2024
Research support
Sponsored research
Active projects
- Plasmonic and Evanescent scattering microscopy for label-free functional imaging of single molecular and cellular activities
NIH NIGMS · R35GM164231
PI: Shaopeng Wang
Aug 10, 2026 – Jul 31, 2030 - AI-enhanced LVSim2.0 technology for rapid phenotypic susceptibility testing of new and experimental TB drugs
NIH NIAID · R01AI189847
Multiple PIs: Shelley Haydel (contact PI) and Shaopeng Wang
Jun 05, 2026 – May 31, 2030 - Spotting-free Nano-Oscillator Array for Quantification of Virion Displayed Membrane Protein Binding Kinetics
NIH NIGMS · R42GM157918
ASU PI: Shaopeng Wang; award to Biosensing Instrument, Inc.
Apr 02, 2025 – Mar 31, 2029 - Plasmonic Scattering Microscopy for high-throughput in-situ quantification of molecular binding kinetics on single cells
NIH NIGMS · R42GM154550
ASU PI: Shaopeng Wang; award to Biosensing Instrument, Inc.
Sep 01, 2024 – Aug 30, 2027 - Optical imaging of size, charge, mobility and binding of single proteins
NIH NIGMS · R01GM140193
PI: Shaopeng Wang
Sep 01, 2022 – Aug 31, 2027
Completed sponsored projects (24)
- Mary Laura Thomas (Co-I), Shaopeng Wang (Co-I), Teresa Wu (Co-I), and Erica Forzani (PI), Partnership for Innovation – Avoiding Kidney Injuries with Evidence – Based Smart Technology, NSF 2122901, 09/01/2021 – 08/31/2026
- Shaopeng Wang,* Development of a Point-of-Care Digital Nano Biosensor for Decentralized Heart Failure Monitoring, ASU-Mayo Seed Grant ARI-333334, 07/01/2024 – 12/31/2025
- Shaopeng Wang,* Evaluation of optical imaging as a single platform to determine size, charge, and mobility of biomolecules, Lonza Biologics Inc., AWD00039181, 07/01/2024 – 12/31/2025
- Shaopeng Wang,* Critical angle reflection imaging for label-free quantification of molecular interactions, Biosensing Instrument Inc., (VIA NIH NIGMS R42GM143986) 08/15/2021 – 02/14/2025
- Shaopeng Wang,* Development and Validation of a Rapid, Point-of-Care Digital Immunoassay for High Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Detection, Subaward of Mayo Clinic Arizona Cardiovascular Research Grant Award, 08/01/2021 – 01/31/2023
- Shaopeng Wang,* Development of a charge-sensitive optical detection system for high-throughput study of small molecule binding kinetics, Biosensing Instrument Inc., (VIA NIH NIGMS R44GM139535), 5/18/2021 – 3/31/2024
- Shaopeng Wang,* (Nongjian Tao was original PI) A Virion-Display Oscillator Array and Detection Platform for Quantification of Transmembrane Protein Binding Kinetics, NIH NCI IMAT R33CA235294 03/01/2020 – 02/28/2024
- Shaopeng Wang,* Quantitative label-free imaging of electrical activities in cells, NIH NIGMS 2R01GM107165, 09/01/2018-08/31/2022
- Shaopeng Wang,* Shelley Haydel, (Nongjian Tao was original PI) Point-of-care antimicrobial susceptibility testing based on simultaneous tracking of multi-phenotypic features of single bacterial cells, NIH NIAID 1R01AI138993-01 07/25/2018 – 06/30/2025
- Shaopeng Wang,* (Nongjian Tao was original PI) Measuring small molecule interactions with membrane proteins on single cells via detecting nanometer scale membrane deformations, NIH NIGMS R01GM124335, 07/01/2017 – 04/30/2022
- Shaopeng Wang,* Direct quantification of binding kinetics between phage and mRNA displayed peptide, Genentech Inc. AGR 11/05/18, 10/30/2018 – 10/29/2021
- Shaopeng Wang,* (Nongjian Tao was original PI) Nano-Oscillator Arrays for Sensitive Plasmonic Detection of Molecular Interaction, Biosensing Instrument Inc., BIG126720 (VIA NIH NIGMS R44GM126720), 5/1/2018 – 10/31/2021
- Shaopeng Wang,* Nongjian Tao, An Integrated Microarray Printing and Detection System, Biosensing Instrument Inc., (Via NIH NIGMS 1R44GM114951-01), 4/1/2015-3/31/2021
- Nongjian Tao,* Shaopeng Wang, Charge sensitive optical detection for high-throughput study of small molecules. NIH NCI IMAT R33CA202834 08/01/2016 – 07/31/2020
- Shaopeng Wang,* Nongjian Tao, Quantitative label-free imaging of membrane protein interaction kinetics on cells, NIH NIGMS 1R01GM107165, 07/01/2014-06/30/2018
- Nongjian Tao,* Shaopeng Wang, Label-free imaging and tracking of single protein-protein interaction, Moore Foundation, 04/12/2013-07/31/2016
- Nongjian Tao*, Shaopeng Wang, Electrochemically-Enhanced Plasmonic Imaging for Quantitative Proteomics, Biosensing Instrument Inc.(Via NIH NIGMS 1R44GM106579), 04/01/2013-03/31/2017
- Nongjian Tao,* Shaopeng Wang, Charge sensitive optical detection for high-throughput study of small molecules, NIH NCI IMAT R21CA173205, 09/01/2012 – 08/31/2015
- Nongjian Tao,* Shaopeng Wang, IDBR: Plasmonic-based electrochemical impedance microscopy for studying molecular binding and cellular processes NSF #1151005, 02/01/2012 – 01/31/2016
- Nongjian Tao,* Shaopeng Wang, A Self-Assembled Nanomechanical System (NMES) for Molecular Detections, W. M. Keck Foundation, 07/01/2011-06/30/2016
- Shaopeng Wang,* Evaluate P-EIM technology for membrane protein binding affinities measurement, Amgen 2012577119 11/13/12 – 05/12/15
- Nongjian Tao,* Shaopeng Wang, Plasmonic Mapping of Ion Channel Activities in Single Cell, NIH R21 1R21DA033839-01, 04/01/2012 – 03/31/2015
- Nongjian Tao,* Shaopeng Wang, Measure Protein Interaction at Scale, Piper Bridge Award (Virginia Piper Foundation), 04/01/2012-06/30/2013
- Shaopeng Wang,* Nongjian Tao, A Multi-functional Optical Impedance Microscope for Live Cell Imaging NIH R21 RR026235 (8R21GM103396), 05/15/2010-02/28/2013
* Principal investigator.