(1) Bioinorganic chemistry in environmental science.

(a) Surface display of metalloproteins for metal ion adsorption and environmental remediation;

(b) Cell-based sensors and fluorescent probes for metals, gasotransmitters, and small RNA.

(2) Biomimetic catalysis in energy science.

(a) Design and synthesis of new catalysts for inert bond activation and biomass conversion to value-added chemicals;

(b) Microsphere catalytic materials in hydrogen energy conversion and storage;

(3) Metal therapeutics inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

(a) Development of detoxification agents by designing metal-binding small molecules and proteins with high affinity and specificity;

(b) Design and synthesis of metal-based compounds as anticancer agents.