The Easley laboratory is focused on the development of novel microanalytical techniques that allow us to perform unique experiment on biological systems.  In particular, we are interested in studying the fundamental chemical and biophysical behaviors of pancreatic islets of Langerhans, which are the functional units of insulin secretion that help to maintain blood glucose homeostasis.  Debilitating conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome are fundamentally linked to this tissue.  In addition, we are developing cooperative methods to select DNA aptamers that bind very specifically to their protein targets, allowing picomolar detection limits.

    Research in our laboratory spans several scientific disciplines, from fundamental analytical chemistry to molecular and cell biology, conducted through a combination of novel and traditional analysis methods:  microfluidics, quantitative fluorescence microscopy, passive microfluidic flow control, molecular biology, aptamer selection, fluorescence and optical spectroscopy, and electrophoresis.  Please feel free to browse through our website for more detailed discussions of these projects.