We are driven to understand how molecules interact to control biological function.


  • Fluorescence imaging to quantitate molecular distributions

  • Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to measure molecular dynamics

  • Dynamic holographic optical trapping to manipulate molecules in three dimensions and in real time

  • Molecular biology to express fluorescent protein constructs

  • Biochemistry to purify and label biomolecules

  • Cell biology to assess functional activities

  • Biomimetic membranes to model lipid and protein interactions

How do we accomplish this mission? (Or what you can learn in the Sheets/Heikal Group)

  • Teamwork

  • Independence

  • Experimental design and analysis

  • Critical thinking

  • Oral communication skills: posters and talks

  • Scientific writing: papers and proposals