Dr. Liao's laboratory research is translating molecular diagnostics for urological diseases from bench to bedside.  Interfacing biology, engineering, medicine, and surgery, they aim to translate molecular biosensing and imaging technologies to the clinics with the goal of transforming the diagnosis and treatment of urological infections and cancers that are among the most common and expensive human diseases.  They are particularly interested in harnessing the diagnostic potentials of urine using ultrasensitive molecular biosensors and incorporating optical and molecular imaging to improve the outcome of cancer surgery (i.e. image-guided surgery). Current projects include development of an integrated biochip for point-of-care diagnosis of urinary tract infections, in vivo microscopy of the urinary tract, and molecular contrast agents for optical imaging of bladder cancer.