From Oxford Inspiration to Hooke Innovation
Oxford Experience and Early Achievements
From 2014 to 2017, Dr. Bei Li, founder of Hooke Instruments, worked at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, where he helped establish the commercial incubation team for research outcomes under the Department of Optics and Photonics. During this period, Dr. Li successfully completed multiple industrialization projects, gaining invaluable experience at the intersection of academic research and commercial application.
Innovation Inspiration at Oxford
During his time at Oxford, Dr. Bei Li, in collaboration with Professor Wei Huang, Professor Martin Booth and Dr Yizhi Song at Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, co-invented Cell Sorting (patent no: WO 2017/144886A1, EP3420344) 1-5. This invention inspired the development of Dr. Li and his team’s early cell sorting module products and stimulated his enduring interest in single-cell technologies 1-2.
Early Single-Cell Sorting Module Product
Reflecting on this period, Dr. Li said:
“I am deeply grateful for Oxford’s innovative environment and the invaluable experience it provided, which not only enriched my scientific vision but also inspired the entrepreneurial journey that led to the founding of Hooke Instruments.”
From Early Foundations to Breakthrough Products
Since its founding in 2017, Hooke Instruments has remained true to its guiding philosophy:
honor academic roots, pursue relentless innovation, and deliver impactful tools for life science research.
Building on this commitment, the company has continuously expanded in the field of single-cell research, introducing breakthrough technologies such as:
· Single-cell confocal Raman microscopy – P300
· Optical-tweezers-based single-cell sorting – Scatcher series
· The world’s first Raman single-cell sorting product – PRECI SCS-R300
This continuous innovation demonstrates Hooke Instruments’ dedication to transforming scientific challenges into practical solutions that empower researchers worldwide.
Reference:
1. Wang Y, Xue Y, Hong X, Wang H, Zhou C, Wang W, Sheng J, Liang P, Li H, Xu Q, Wang Y, Liu K, Shang L, Peng H, Chen F, Zhang K, Yin H, Wang Y, Deng F, Feng S, Huang WE, Li B. Functionalized microwell laser sorting method for single-cell viable microbial detection. Sens Actuators B Chem. 2025 Volume 427, 15 March 2025, 137202 doi:10.1016/j.snb.2024.137202
2. Lei Xu, Yuan Liang, Wei E Huang, Lin-Dong Shang, Li-Juan Chai, Xiao-Juan Zhang, Jin-Song Shi, Bei Li, Yun Wang, Zheng-Hong Xu, Zhen-Ming Lu.Rapid detection of six Oceanobacillus species in Daqu starter using single‐cell Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning. Microb Biotechnol. 2024 Volumn 12, doi:10.1111/1751-7915.14416
3. Lei Xu, Ting Yang, Xiao-Juan Zhang, Li-Juan Chai, Xin Li, Jin-Song Shi, Bei Li, Wei E. Huang, Yun Wang, Zhen-Ming Lu, Zheng-Hong Xu. Predicting the multispecies solid-state vinegar fermentation process using single-cell Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning. LWT. 2024 Volumn 192, doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2023.115708
4. Yanqing Song, Jianan Yin, Wei E. Huang, Bei Li, Huabing Yin. Emerging single-cell microfluidic technology for microbiology. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 2024 Volumn 170. doi:10.1016/j.trac.2023.117444
5. Zhang J, Lin H, Xu J, Zhang M, Ge X, Zhang C, Huang WE, Cheng JX. High-throughput single-cell sorting by stimulated Raman-activated cell ejection. Sci Adv. 2024 Dec 13;10(50):eadn6373. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adn6373.
6. Liang P, Liu B, Wang Y, Liu K, Zhao Y, Huang WE, Li B. Isolation and Culture of Single Microbial Cells by Laser Ejection Sorting Technology. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2022 Feb 8;88(3):e0116521. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01165-21.
7. Song Y, Cui L, López JÁS, Xu J, Zhu YG, Thompson IP, Huang WE. Raman-Deuterium Isotope Probing for in-situ identification of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in Thames River. Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 30;7(1):16648. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-16898-x.
8. Song Y, Kaster AK, Vollmers J, Song Y, Davison PA, Frentrup M, Preston GM, Thompson IP, Murrell JC, Yin H, Hunter CN, Huang WE. Single-cell genomics based on Raman sorting reveals novel carotenoid-containing bacteria in the Red Sea. Microb Biotechnol. 2017 Jan;10(1):125-137. doi: 10.1111/1751-7915.12420.