Research Trajectory - Yu-Ting Sun

πŸ”¬ Physics Foundation

Spatial confinement

From PhD, Postdoc 1
+

πŸ› οΈ Technical Platform

Microfluidics, single-molecule imaging

From Postdoc 1-2
+

🧬 Biological Insight

DNA-protein interaction, protein-protein interactions

From Postdoc 2
=

🎯 Integrated Platform

DNA–protein dynamics under physical constraints of the nucleus

Future Applications
2026-2030
FUTURE

🎯 Complete Integration

πŸ”¬ Question: How do spatial confinement and molecular crowding shape DNA–protein interaction dynamics in the nucleus?
🧬 Focus: Protein competition under physiologically relevant physical constraints
πŸ› οΈ Tools: Single Molecule Techniques, Micro/Nanofluidics
πŸ“š Knowledge: Polymer Physics, Biophysics, Molecule Biology
2021-2025
POSTDOC 2

πŸ”¬ DNA-Protein Interactions

🧬 System: Recombinase with DNA/RNA Interaction
πŸ”¬ Focus: Molecular Dynamics
πŸ“„ Publications: Manuscript in prep (2025), Nature Communications (2024)
πŸ› οΈ Tools: FRET, CoSMoS
πŸ“š Knowledge: Homologue Recombination, DNA/RNA-recombinase
2011-2012
POSTDOC 1

πŸŒ‰ From Physics to Biology

🧬 System: RecA-DNA filament in Microchannel
πŸ”¬ Focus: Spatial Confinement
πŸ’‘ Key Insight: RecA as both tool (DNA stiffening) and subject (protein-DNA recognition)
πŸ› οΈ Tools: Fluorescence Microscopy, Microchannel
The Pivot: RecA bridges physics and biology – it stiffens DNA (persistence length: 50nm β†’ 950nm) while becoming a research subject itself.
2008-2010
PhD

🧱 Foundation

🧬 System: DNA under Spatial Constraints (Vesicle-DNA)
πŸ” Discovery: DNA Internal Friction, Topological Complexity
πŸ“„ Publications: Physical Review Letters (2010) - Cover Story, Soft Matter (2011) - Inside Front Cover
πŸ› οΈ Tools: Fluorescence Microscopy, RICM