Home

Welcome to the Xu Research Group @ Department of Chemistry, LSU

(Group photo taken from Dr. Xu's backyard in Apr 2024. From left to right: Elizabeth, Khaleda, Dilki, Laurence, Amy, Sulo, Shanta, Bailey, Sadie, Alison)

 

We are a group of chemists using Small-Angle Scattering (SAS) to study the conformation and behavior of biomacromolecules in crowded and confined environments. Our research bridges chemistry, physics, and biology, focusing on how macromolecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids interact under these complex conditions.

By employing SAS, we explore fundamental questions about phase behavior, molecular crowding, and structural dynamics. This includes investigating biomolecular phase separation, which underlies critical biological processes, as well as understanding how aluminum-based adjuvants influence antigen stability and immune response through confinement effects. Our findings contribute to advancements in biomaterial design, vaccine development, and the broader understanding of macromolecular interactions in biological systems.

We are always looking for motivated students to join our research group. If you are interested in working on interdisciplinary projects at the interface of chemistry, physics, and biology, please feel free to contact me.