Our research focuses on developing next-generation multi-dimensional biological imaging techniques and using them to explore the mystery of the complex biological system. Including:

1. multi-dimensional biological imaging techniques development;

2. the molecular mechanism of pathogen-host interactions;

3. quantitative biomolecular dynamic imaging;

4. AI-assisted biological imaging.

Dr. Shangguo Hou’s research focuses on the development of high spatiotemporal resolution optical microscopy techniques and their applications in biological systems. He has developed a series of multi-dimensional optical imaging methods tailored to molecular and cellular systems across different scales, enabling the study of biomolecular and cellular interactions under various conditions. His research has been published as first or corresponding author in leading international journals such as Nature Communications (×3), Advanced Science, and Science Bulletin. His work has been positively cited by authoritative journals including Nature Photonics, Molecular Cell, and ACS Nano, and has been featured in academic news outlets such as Phys.org and Duke Research. He has led five projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, as well as other provincial and municipal research grants. Under his supervision, students in his group have received notable recognitions, including the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory Director's Special Scholarship (2023) and the Second Prize in the Central China Regional Competition of the China Graduate Electronics Design Contest (2023).

2022: Guangdong province Pearl River Talent - Top Young Talent Award

2021: Shenzhen high-level talent award2020 Most Outstanding Postdoc Speaker of the Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics, Duke University

2019: On being nominated for the 2019 Outstanding Postdoc at Duke University award

2015: Graduation with honor: Graduate Excellence Award of Shanghai

1. Hao Sha†, Yu Wu†, Yongbing Zhang†*, Xiaochen Feng, Haoyang Li, Zhong Wang, Xiufeng Zhang, Shangguo Hou*. Single molecule spectrum dynamics imaging with 3D target-locking tracking. Nature Communications. 2025. Accepted.

2. Shiyi Qin†, Zhi Yang†, Huimin Liu, Xiaoli Wang, Shangguo Hou*, Kai Huang*. Binding memory of liquid molecules. Nature Communications. 2025. 16, 6555  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61630-3

3. Ri Zhou#, Hao Sha#, Shengjie Fu#, Guannan Liu, Jinbei Wei, Chenguang Wang*, Shangguo Hou*, Geyu Lu*. Hyperspectral Fluorescence Imaging with A New Polarity-Ultrasensitive Fluorescent Probe. Advanced Science. 2025, e08792  https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202508792

4. Huanlong Zheng#, Hao Sha#, Ri Zhou#, Yu Wu, Chenguang Wang*, Shangguo Hou*, Geyu Lu*. Rational development of Nile Red derivatives with significantly improved specificity and photostability for advanced fluorescence imaging of lipid droplets. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2025, 117494 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2025.117494

5. Haoyang Li†, Quan Lu†, Zhong Wang†, Wenbo Zhang, Yu Wu, Yandong Sun, Dongping Zhong*, Suhui Deng* and Shangguo Hou*. Three-dimensional random-access confocal microscopy with 3D remote focusing system. Communications Engineering, 3, 166 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00320-2,  Selected in topical collection "Microscopic Imaging in Deep Tissue"

6. Zhaoshuai Gao, Qian Li, Chunhai Fan*, Shangguo Hou*. Deciphering live-cell biomolecular dynamics with single-molecule fluorescence imaging. Science Bulletin. 2024, 69(12), 1823-1828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2024.03.036

7. Zhaoshuai Gao†, Shangguo Hou†, Suhui Deng†, Le Liang, Fei Wang, Linjie Guo, Weina Fang, Qian Li, Bin Kang*, Hong-Yuan Chen*, Chunhai Fan*. Non-linear scanning switch-off microscopy for super-resolution fluorescence imaging. Nano Letters, 2024 24 (39), 12125-12132

8. Hao Sha, Haoyang Li, Yongbing Zhang*, Shangguo Hou*. Deep learning-enhanced single-molecule spectrum imaging. APL Photonics, 2023, 8, 096102.

9. Xiufeng Zhang†, Haoyang Li†, Yue Ma†, Dongping Zhong*, and Shangguo Hou*. Study Liquid-liquid phase separation with optical microscopy: a methodology review. APL Bioengineering, 2023; 7(2): 021502. (Featured Article)

10. Shangguo Hou, Jack Exell, Kevin Welsher. Real-time 3D Single Molecule Tracking. Nature Communications, 2020, 11,3607  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17444-6