A recent success of the Xie group at Harvard’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology is a real-time molecule-by-molecule movie of protein production in live cells. The direct observation of single fluorescent molecules in single cells is of great importance in probing gene expression. This generation of proteins according to the genetic codes in DNA is a core process of live regulation in cells. A better understanding of this process will enable scientists to develop new strategies to fight against many diseases.

Sunney Xie is also well known for his development work on CARS (coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering) microscopy. Due to his relentless efforts, CARS microscopy has become one of the most important developments in light microscopy. Xie not only first recognized the full potential of CARS in biological imaging, but eliminated most of its technical challenges as well.

Born in Beijing, China, Professor Xie earned his doctorate in chemistry at the University of California at San Diego in 1990. After postdoctoral fellowship and Chief Scientist positions at the University of Chicago and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory respectively, he became Professor of Chemistry at Harvard University in 1999. Xie has been decorated with prestigious awards and prizes, among them the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award in 2004 and the Willis E. Lamb Award for Laser Sciences and Quantum Optics in 2007.