Xiaoliang Sunney Xie

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Xiaoliang Sunney Xie 1

Xiaoliang Sunney Xie (born 1962) is a Chinese-American biophysical chemist and a pioneer in the field of single-molecule biophysics. He is known for his groundbreaking work in single-molecule spectroscopy, live-cell imaging, and genomics. Xie is currently a professor at Peking University and an adjunct professor at Harvard University.

Early Life and Education

Xiaoliang Sunney Xie was born in Beijing, China in 1962. He received his B.S. in chemistry from Peking University in 1984. He then moved to the United States to pursue his graduate studies and earned his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of California, San Diego in 1990 under the supervision of John E. Bercaw.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Xie conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago with Graham Fleming. In 1992, he joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a senior research scientist. In 1998, he became a professor of chemistry at Harvard University, where he made significant contributions to the field of single-molecule biophysics.

In 2010, Xie returned to China to join the faculty of Peking University, where he established the Biodynamic Optical Imaging Center (BIOPIC). He continues to hold an adjunct professorship at Harvard University.

Research Contributions

Xie is renowned for his pioneering work in several areas of biophysical chemistry:

Single-Molecule Spectroscopy

Xie developed techniques to observe and manipulate individual molecules, which has provided deep insights into the behavior of biological molecules at the single-molecule level. His work has led to a better understanding of enzyme dynamics, protein folding, and molecular motors.

Live-Cell Imaging

Xie has advanced the field of live-cell imaging by developing methods to visualize the behavior of molecules in living cells. His techniques have been used to study gene expression, signal transduction, and cellular metabolism in real-time.

Genomics

Xie's research in genomics includes the development of methods for single-cell sequencing, which has revolutionized the study of genetic diversity and cellular heterogeneity. His work has applications in cancer research, neuroscience, and developmental biology.

Awards and Honors

Xie has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science, including:

• The E.O. Lawrence Award in Chemistry
• The Biophysical Society's Founders Award
• Election to the National Academy of Sciences
• Election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Personal Life

Xie is married and has two children. He is known for his dedication to mentoring young scientists and fostering international collaboration in scientific research.

See Also

• Biophysical chemistry
• Single-molecule experiment
• Fluorescence microscopy
• Genomics