Research
Two complementary directions — in situ mass spectrometry and precision profiling of natural medicines.
My research develops new analytical chemistry methods — centered on mass spectrometry and combined with chromatographic separation and sample preparation — to enable the precise analysis of complex natural-medicine systems. It unfolds along two complementary directions: in situ mass spectrometry brings the measurement to where the sample is, while precision profiling of natural medicines clarifies what the sample actually contains.
In Situ Mass Spectrometry
Bringing the measurement to the sample
Developing ambient, miniaturized, and imaging mass spectrometry that analyzes samples in their native state with little or no sample preparation. By combining direct ionization with portable instruments and spatially resolved acquisition, these platforms move analysis out of the lab and into the field — enabling on-site authentication of precious and toxic medicinal materials and revealing how components are truly distributed within tissues.
Ambient ionization
DART, paper/capillary spray, thin-layer chromatography–MS (TLC–MS), and liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) ionize natural products directly from TLC plates, surfaces, and raw materials.
Miniaturized & portable MS
Field-deployable miniature mass spectrometers coupled with machine learning for rapid on-site identification and authentication.
Mass spectrometry imaging
Spatially resolved imaging of constituents and metabolites in plant and animal tissues, linking chemical information to biological processes.
Rapid ID & safety
On-site screening of precious materials such as agarwood, sandalwood, and aged tangerine peel, plus rapid detection of toxic constituents like pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Precision Profiling of Natural Medicines
Clarifying what the sample contains
Building multidimensional, integrated strategies that resolve complex natural-medicine systems from constituents to mechanisms. By combining high-resolution and ion-mobility LC–MS (LC–MS / IM-MS), targeted and pseudo-targeted metabolomics, and spatial lipidomics, this work comprehensively characterizes chemical composition, tracks how components transform during processing and in vivo metabolism, and connects them to bioactivity, quality, and safety.
Comprehensive characterization
An integrated "3M" workflow with LC–MS / IM-MS structural elucidation accelerates the identification and annotation of complex multi-component systems.
Profiling & transformation
Tracking constituent diversity and its active transformations, such as the dynamic changes of ginsenosides during decoction and processing.
Metabolomics & mechanism
Targeted, pseudo-targeted, and spatial metabolomics/lipidomics reveal molecular markers and mechanisms of action.
Quality control & safety
Green sample preparation and quantitative strategies support quality control, attribution analysis, and safety evaluation of multi-herb formulations.
For representative work in both directions, see my publications.