Dr. Sun's primary research interest is to investigate molecular mechanism of bacterial pathogenesis, especially focusing on structure and function of bacterial toxins and virulence factors and using them as model systems to understand bacterial pathogenesis as well as some fundamental processes of biology, such as protein pore formation and membrane translocation. In the past eight years, Dr. Sun have been characterizing anthrax toxin, in particular anthrax toxin-receptor interaction, toxin pore formation and membrane translocation in model membrane systems. As an independent investigator at UTEP, Dr. Sun has initiated a new research project to investigate the mechanism of membrane interaction of ESAT-6 and CFP-10, the two virulence factors essential for virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In addition to investigate the physiological roles of ESAT-6 and CFP-10 in TB pathogenesis, Dr. Sun's group is also working on development of novel vaccines and diagnostic approaches for TB, since both ESAT-6 and CFP10 are strong antigenic markers of TB.