We build novel imaging technologies
The Lew Lab builds advanced imaging systems to study biological and chemical systems at the nanoscale. Our technology leverages innovations in applied optics, signal and image processing, design optimization, and physical chemistry. We partner with scientists and engineers across all disciplines to develop technologies to solve unmet needs in science, medicine, and society.
We stand up for science
The Lew Lab is a team of inventors, thinkers, and problem solvers working at the intersection of science and technology.
Creating impactful technology is our passion
Lab news
Upcoming talks
January 17, 2026: Yuanxin will be giving a talk
in
the “Single Molecule Spectroscopy and Superresolution Imaging XIX” session at SPIE
Photonics West. He will speak on “Sensing negative cone rotational diffusion of dipole-like
emitters” at 11:20 AM in Room 154 (Moscone South, Upper Mezzanine).
Our collaborative work with the Pappu lab, “Nuclear speckle proteins form intrinsic and MALAT1-dependent microphases”, is now online in Cell. Congratulations, Min Kyung!
Matt gave a talk in
the “Advances in
Single-Molecule and Single-Particle Imaging Symposium” at Pacifchem 2025. He spoke on
“Single-fluorogen orientation-localization microscopy: fundamental limits, new developments,
and applications.”
Matt has been elected
a Fellow Member of Optica by the Society’s Board of Directors. He is being recognized “For
pioneering contributions to super-resolution microscopy, single-molecule imaging, and the development of
innovative nanoscale sensing techniques.” Matt is deeply honored by the recognition, and extends his
special thanks to all Lew Lab members, collaborators, and mentors, past and present! [McKelvey Engineering News]
Our correction to “Single-molecule orientation localization microscopy I: fundamental limits” is now online in JOSA A.
Congratulations, Yiyang and Yuanxin, on receiving a second-place poster prize at the annual WashU SPECTRA student-led conference!
Congratulations, Brian, on receiving the WashU Imaging Science Pathway
(ISP) Fellowship Award!
Our review, co-authored with Sophie Brasselet, on super-resolution polarization-resolved fluorescence
microscopy is now
online in Nature Photonics. Our lab develops these techniques to create images of molecular 3D
orientations, wobble, and positions. Our advancements open possibilities to explore the nanoscale
organization and conformation of biomolecules as well as to monitor and design local 3D optical fields in
nanophotonics. Read about it here:
- WashU
Expert: Optical
microscopes take a big leap forward
- “Single-molecule orientation and localization
microscopy”