The Shangguo Hou Lab focuses on the development of high-spatiotemporal-resolution optical microscopy and its application to complex biological processes, with the goal of establishing a new generation of intelligent single-molecule imaging platforms. The lab has developed a range of advanced imaging technologies, including real-time three-dimensional active single-molecule tracking, multidimensional fluorescence spectral and lifetime imaging, target-locked volumetric imaging, and content-adaptive and event-triggered imaging. These approaches enable long-term, low-photodamage, quantitative, and simultaneous measurements of the three-dimensional trajectories, diffusive states, local microenvironments, and molecular interactions of moving biomolecules. They are applied to important biological questions involving biomolecular condensates, virus–receptor interactions, mitophagy and mitochondrial fission, lipid-droplet metabolism, membrane remodeling, and the dynamics of disease-associated proteins.

We use innovations in imaging technology to address important biological questions, while allowing biological needs to guide the continued development of imaging methods, thereby creating a mutually reinforcing cycle between technological innovation and scientific discovery. Through their research, lab members experience the hands-on creativity of building with LEGO, the visual excitement of professional photography, and the intellectual satisfaction of exploring the fundamental principles underlying life.

Research Directions

1. Development of advanced multidimensional and multiscale optical microscopy technologies;

2. Single-molecule dynamics and regulatory mechanisms in biomolecular condensates;

3. Artificial intelligence–driven smart microscopy and adaptive measurement technologies;

4. Quantitative characterization and mechanistic analysis of pathogen–host interactions.

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

2021: Shenzhen high-level talent award

2020 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#*, Ran Liu, Xiaochen Feng, Haoyang Li, Zhong Wang, Xiufeng Zhang, Shangguo Hou*. Single molecule spectrum dynamics imaging with 3D target-locking tracking. Nature Communications. 2025, 16, 8686 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63787-3  新闻报道

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, 12, 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, 282, 117494

5. 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

6. Chen Zhang#*, Ran Liu#, Zichen Ding, Peng Lu, Weiming Tian, Yan Zhao, Jiaye He, Shangguo Hou*, Review of Machine Learning for Single-Particle Tracking: Methods, Challenges, and Biophysical Insights. Chemical & Biomedical Imaging. 4(5), 695–718 (2026). (selected as ACS Editors' Choice !) https://doi.org/10.1021/cbmi.5c00146

7. 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"

8. Hao Sha, Haoyang Li, Yongbing Zhang*, Shangguo Hou*. Deep learning-enhanced single-molecule spectrum imaging. APL Photonics, 2023, 8 (9): 096102.

9. Shangguo Hou†*, Chen Zhang†, Anastasia Niver, Kevin D Welsher*. Mapping nanoscale forces and potentials in live cells with microsecond 3D single-particle tracking. Chemical & Biomedical Imaging, 2026,  https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/cbmi.5c00293

10. Shangguo Hou, Jack Exell, Kevin Welsher. Real-time 3D Single Molecule Tracking. Nature Communications, 2020, 11, 3607 (Reported by Duke Research) 

11. Xiufeng Zhang#, Jingqi Zhang#, Luyao Yan, Ran Liu, Junhui Huang, Shangguo Hou*, Xuefeng Guo*, Dongping Zhong*. Elucidation of Structural Fluctuation for Initial Signaling and DNA Recognition for Damage Repair of a Bifunctional Cryptochrome. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2026,17(14),4181-4189. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00602

12.  Xing Jiang#, Xiaoli Wang#, Song Shen, Shangguo Hou*, Chen Yu*, 3D Genome Engineering: Current Advances and Therapeutic Opportunities in Human Diseases. Research, 2025, 8, 0865 DOI:10.34133/research.0865

13. Quan Lu, Yu Wu, Mei Ting Mei, Yue Hu*, Shangguo Hou*, Advances in Three-Dimensional Single-Molecule Tracking Microscopy with Closed-loop Feedback Control (Invited). Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, 2025, 62(18), 1817005. Invited paper

14. 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

15. 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!)