Xie Lab

I have a broad interest in science and my research is very interdisciplinary. The focus of my research though is in biological science and engineering (if that is narrow enough :)). On one hand, I am very interested in understanding some fundamental questions in biology, particularly the origin and early evolution of eukaryotic life and the formation of new species. On the other hand, I try to make my research relevant to the real problems facing human society and the environment. For the latter, I am particularly interested in studying cellulose degradation process in the ecosystem with potential application in next-generation biofuel technology and understanding how human activities affect phytoplanktons in water systems and how environmental pollution causes human diseases like cancer. All my research employ large-scale molecular data and bioinformatic analyses, and often field study.