Ke Xu in lab with instrumentation in foreground.

Research Bio

Professor Xu and his research group develop advanced microscopy and spectroscopy tools to interrogate biological, chemical, and materials systems at the nanoscale with extraordinary resolution, sensitivity, and functionality. Recent developments include single-molecule displacement/diffusivity mapping, spectrally resolved super-resolution microscopy, ultrahigh-throughput single-molecule spectroscopy, and interference-based microscopy for 2D materials.

Research Expertise and Interest

biophysical chemistry, cell biology at the nanoscale, super-resolution microscopy, single-molecule spectroscopy

In the News

Seeing in Super-Resolution

Ke Xu, a 2021 Heising-Simons Faculty Fellow, develops new ways to see the tiniest and fastest processes inside living cells. 

Xu, Titov receive million-dollar New Innovator awards

Two young faculty members — assistant professors Ke Xu of chemistry and Denis Titov of molecular and cell biology — were among 89 recipients of “high-risk, high-reward” grants announced last week by the National Institutes of Health.

Super-resolution microscopy reveals fine detail of cellular mesh

One of today’s sharpest imaging tools, super-resolution microscopy, produces sparkling images of what until now has been the blurry interior of cells, detailing not only the cell’s internal organs and skeleton, but also providing insights into cells’ amazing flexibility.

Sloan Foundation honors eight young faculty members

Eight UC Berkeley assistant professors are among 126 new fellows announced today by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Sloan Research Fellowships, awarded annually since 1955, honor early-career scientists and scholars.

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent semesters
2026 Spring 2025 Fall

  • Seminars for Graduate Students   [CHEM 298 - 072]   

  • Research for Graduate Students   [CHEM 299 - 067]   

  • Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry   [CHEM 300]  [SEM 047]  [SEM 055]   

  • Biophysical Chemistry: Physical Principles and the Molecules of Life   [CHEM C130 - 001]   

  • Biophysical Chemistry: Physical Principles and the Molecules of Life   [MCELLBI C100A - 001]   

2025 Spring

  • Seminars for Graduate Students   [CHEM 298 - 082]   

  • Research for Graduate Students   [CHEM 299 - 057]   

  • Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry   [CHEM 300 - 017]   

  • Biophysical Chemistry: Physical Principles and the Molecules of Life   [CHEM C130 - 001]   

  • Biophysical Chemistry: Physical Principles and the Molecules of Life   [MCELLBI C100A - 001]   

For additional information, please consult the UC Berkeley course schedule.