Michael has written an essay proposing the idea of an Optogenetic Foundry to catalyze systems neuroscience research. Read it here.

The Lin Lab applies chemical and physical principles to develop new foundational technologies to image and control biological processes. The lab's past accomplishments have included the development of widely used bright green and red fluorescent proteins, 4-stage cell cycle sensors, NanoLuc luciferase substrates for bright noninvasive imaging, and methods for controlling protein function in animals using viral protease inhibitors. Current topics include improving and applying genetically encoded voltage imaging for understanding millisecond calculations in the brain, luciferase reporters for noninvasive imaging of hormones and neurotransmitters, single-chain optical and chemically controlled proteins for real-time control of protein therapeutics, and small-molecule inhibitors of viral proteases.

Michael Z. Lin is currently Professor of Neurobiology and Bioengineering at Stanford University. He received an A.B. summa cum laude in Biochemistry (Harvard). After PhD training in biochemistry and neurobiology with Michael Greenberg at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Lin received his MD from UCLA, then performed postdoctoral research in protein engineering with Chemistry Nobel Laureate Roger Y. Tsien at UCSD. Dr. Lin is a recipient of a Burroughs Wellcome Career Award for Medical Scientists, a Rita Allen Scholar Award, a Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award, and a NIH Pioneer Award. Follow Dr. Lin at bksy.app