Our research focuses primarily on studying DNA-binding proteins to gain deeper insights into the nature of protein-DNA binding and recognition and developing novel molecular tools that would benefit human health and biomedical studies. We utilize engineering of DNA-binding proteins, CRISPR/cas system and nanomaterials to develop a novel sensing technology for detecting pathogens, cancer biomarkers, and antibiotic resistance genes/bacteria. Our approaches should prove useful in improving public health and personalized medicine while our finding should also advance our understanding of protein-DNA interactions and protein-nanomaterial interactions.