Education

B.S., 2011, Hong Kong Baptist University

Ph.D., 2015, Hong Kong Baptist University

Postdoc., 2021, University of Chicago

Honors and Awards

MIRA Maximizing Investigators' Research Award, NIH, 2022

Research Interests

Quantitative Subcellular Imaging Tools for Investigating Cell Pathophysiology & Disease Mechanisms

Our research focuses on developing imaging tools for organelle chemotype profiling and utilizing these in-house developed imaging tools to understand biological processes and therapeutic potentials. We aim to develop a comprehensive suite of imaging tools to fingerprint or profile the intricate details of cellular components at the subcellular level. These tools leverage cutting-edge technologies such as nanomaterials, functional molecules, multi-spectral imaging, to map and quantify various cellular components such as ions and chemicals. By enabling precise localization and chemical assessment of subcellular entities, these tools will deepen our understanding of complex cellular processes such as ion physiology and ion channel function, contributing to the development of ion channel-targeted therapies.

Subcellular imaging, chloride imaging, chloride physiology, inflammation, lysosomal storage disorders

Selected Publications

1. Morse, N. Ofodum, F.K. Tang, M. Schmidt, X. Lu*, K. Leung*"Leveraging Metal Complexes for Microsecond Lifetime-Based Chloride Sensing." ACS Sensors, 2025, 10, 2, 657
2. Leung, K. Chakraborty, A. Saminathan, Y. Krishnan*, “A DNA Nanomachine chemically resolves lysosomes in live cells.” Nature Nanotechnology, 2019, 14, 176.
3. Narayanaswamy, K. Chakraborty, A. Saminathan, E. Zeichner, K. Leung, J. Devany, Y. Krishnan* "A pH-correctable, DNA-based fluorescent reporter for organellar Calcium.” Nature Methods, 2019, 16, 95.
4. Chakraborty, K. Leung, Y. Krishnan*, “High lumenal chloride in the lysosome is critical for lysosome function” eLIFE, 2017, 6, e28862.