Nako Nakatsuka

I am a tenure track assistant professor at the Neuro-X Institute at the EPFL and head the Laboratory of Chemical Nanotechnology (CHEMINA). At CHEMINA, our mission is to pioneer translational technologies that directly impact human health. Our multidisciplinary team works at the intersection of chemistry, engineering, and neuroscience, to develop practical and innovative strategies to support patients. In neuroscience, where the chemical landscape of the human brain remains a black box, we take a comprehensive approach. First, we explore fundamental molecular pathways to identify chemical biomarkers for diseased states. Then, we engineer biosensors capable of tracking these molecules in complex biofluids to contribute to improved patient care. Our research program is built on three key pillars:

1. Deepening our understanding of biomolecular interactions
2. Developing transformative chemical biosensing platforms
3.  Translating novel tools directly from the lab to patients.