Abstract:
Single molecule sensing platforms utilizing label-free optical methodologies represent a powerful approach to identifying and mapping biopolymers and protein dynamics. I survey current gaps in the field and highlights my contributions to the development of single molecule sensors through three short stories. First, I present efforts in developing and improving scalable and accessible fabrication protocols for single molecule sensors. Specifically, I demonstrate a reactive etching technique for scalable production of nanopores down to 15 nm on various substrates, including silicon nitride and graphene membranes. Second, I explore how these nanopore sensors can be employed alongside the CRISPR-dCas9 protein for DNA typing and sensing experiments. We achieve facile identification of targeted sequences and demonstrate a nanopore-based CRISPR-dCas9 biosensing approach for DNA-typing diagnostics. Third, I demonstrate a new type of single molecule platform: 2D slits which are capable of probing DNA confinement down to an ultimate resolution of 0.3 nm. Remarkably, we show that the DNA topology in bulk solution is captured and ‘frozen’ as the DNA translocates through the slit. This new class of 2D-nanoslit devices will provide unique ways to study polymer physics and enable lab-on-a-chip biotechnology.
Building on these experiences, enabled by recent funding, I show ongoing and future ambitions to develop new strategies to explore complex biological system such as biomolecular condensates, which are fundamental to healthy cell functioning and implicated in the pathology of several neurodegenerative diseases.

Bio:
Dr Wayne Yang obtained a BSc and MSc in Physics from McGill University, Canada (2015). He completed his PhD in the lab of Prof Cees Dekker at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience in TU Delft (2021). Subsequently he joined the lab of Prof Aleksandra Radenovic at EPFL, Switzerland for Postdoc. He is currently a SNSF Ambizione group leader (non-tenure track) where his group explores new single molecule methods to probe biomolecular condensate. He is the author of over 15 papers and his research spans many interdisciplinary topics ranging from single molecule sensors, 2D materials and biomolecular condensates.