The RPBS Lab develops ultrasound-based technologies to remotely control biological systems — engineering programmable cellular therapies for next-generation cancer immunotherapy.
The Remote Programmable Biosystems (RPBS) Lab at Indiana University Bloomington develops cutting-edge technologies that harness the power of focused ultrasound to remotely control biological systems with spatial and temporal precision.
Our interdisciplinary approach bridges biomedical engineering, synthetic biology, and immunology to create programmable cellular therapies. By engineering ultrasound-responsive genetic circuits, we enable non-invasive, real-time control of therapeutic cells — opening new frontiers in cancer immunotherapy and beyond.
Housed within the Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, the RPBS Lab is committed to translating fundamental discoveries into technologies that improve patient outcomes.
Non-invasive, spatially precise control of cellular behavior using focused ultrasound and engineered genetic circuits.
Every project is designed with a path from bench to bedside — we engineer for clinical relevance.
We integrate acoustics, molecular biology, immunology, and engineering into unified solutions.
The best science happens at disciplinary borders — we partner widely and train broadly.
We engineer ultrasound-responsive genetic circuits to remotely activate immune cells with spatial precision. Our sonogenetic platforms enable non-invasive control of CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors, including tumor priming strategies that confine antigen expression to target sites.
We investigate the fundamental mechanisms by which ultrasound modulates intracellular calcium signaling through mechanosensitive channels. Our work reveals how mechanical stimuli propagate through cell populations, providing the biophysical foundation for our therapeutic approaches.
We design and build synthetic gene circuits that rewire cellular responses to external stimuli. Our engineered circuits integrate ultrasound-sensing, signal processing, and therapeutic output modules to create next-generation smart cell therapies with programmable behaviors.
We develop acoustic tweezer platforms and advanced imaging tools for probing cellular mechanobiology. These technologies enable real-time visualization and manipulation of cellular responses, supporting both fundamental research and the development of image-guided therapies.
Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering
Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
Indiana University Bloomington
Dr. Yoon is a biomedical engineer specializing in the development of ultrasound-based technologies for controlling biological systems. His research integrates expertise in ultrasound electronics, synthetic biology, and immunology to create remotely programmable cell therapies for cancer treatment.
Prior to joining IU Bloomington, Dr. Yoon served as an Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Southern California and completed postdoctoral training at UC San Diego. His work on tumor priming by ultrasound mechanogenetics for CAR T therapy was published in Nature Materials (2026), and he has contributed to high-impact studies in Cell, Nature Communications, and other leading journals.
RPBS Lab will open at Indiana University Bloomington
Dr. Chi Woo (Nate) Yoon will join the Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering at the Luddy School. The RPBS Lab will begin its research program in ultrasound-controlled biology and programmable cell therapies.
RPBS Lab is now recruiting for all positions
We are actively seeking a lab technician, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and undergraduate researchers to join our founding team.
View open positions →We are actively recruiting PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduates. If our work resonates with you, please reach out — we especially welcome applicants with backgrounds in ultrasound technology, synthetic biology, cell engineering, cancer immunology, or bioimaging.