Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Dr Run Zhang
Dr

Run Zhang

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 63806

Overview

Background

  • 2023-now Joint Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (CNFS, QAAFI)
  • 2022-now Senior Research Fellow, AIBN, The University of Queensland
  • 2020-now NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, AIBN, The University of Queensland
  • 2017-2019 ARC DECRA Fellow, AIBN, The University of Queensland
  • 2016-2017 Research Associate, AIBN, The University of Queensland
  • 2013-2015 Macquarie University Research Fellow (MQRF), Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science (CBMS), Macquarie University
  • 2012-2013 Postdoc Research Fellow, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Macquarie University
  • July 2012 PhD, Analytical Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology (DLUT), China

Research Team: Dr Zhang is now leading more than 15 researchers, working on the development of responsive molecules/nanomaterials for biosensing and imaging, early disease detection and treatment, food/agricultural/environmental applications. He has collaborations with scientist in Chemistry, Materials Science, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Food and Agriculture Science, and Biophotonics from Australia, US, UK, Sweden, India, Russia and China.

Research Support: Since 2011, Dr Zhang has attracted 11 research grants (> 3 million) as chief investigator (lead CI and/or co-CI). These grants include 3 Fellowship (NHMRC Emerging Leadership, ARC DECRA and MQRF to develop responsive probes for redox biomarkers detection within body), 1 NHMRC Project grant in redox quantification in liver cancer chemotherapy, 1 UQ ECR grant, 1 NSFC grant, and another 3 grants from universities.

Research Output: Dr Zhang has published more than 180 research papers since his first publication in 2010 (>95 papers published as first and/or corresponding author), and 1 patent. He frequently publishes in a number of premier journals, such as Nature Photonics, Nature Plants, Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), Angewandte Chemie, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Society Reviews, and Accounts of Chemical Research. These publications have received >9,000 citations with an H-index of 55. He has 8 Highly Cited Papers (7 in the ESI field of Chemistry-Analytical) and 3 Hot Articles.

Service: Dr Zhang is an Editor of TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry (Elsevier, 1/106 in Analytical Chemistry) and Methods (Elsevier), and Editorial Board Member of several international high impact journals, such as Chemistry-An Asian Journal (Wiley), Aggregate (Wiley), Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis (Elsevier), Green Analytical Chemistry (Elsevier). He is a referee of ~80 international journals (2nd most contributions of all UQ researchers, with >20 awards from RSC and Elsevier journals), and grant assessor for more than 10 country and regions, such as Australia, UK, Europe, Netherland, New Zealand.

Award: Dr Zhang's national and international standing in the fields of chemistry (analytical and inorganic) and functional nanomaterials is evidenced by the awards of ACS Rising Star in Measurement Science, NJC Emerging Investigator, Biosensors Young Investigator Award, IAAM Scientist Medal, Vebleo Fellow, IAAM Fellow, ARC DECRA, NHMRC EL Fellow, MQRF, and more than 20 TOP Outstanding Reviewer awards from RSC and Elsevier. He has been a World's Top 2% Scientist in Chemistry (Analytical) and Nanoscience & Nanotechnology since 2022. He has delivered about 40 invited presentations and keynotes.

Teaching and Supervision: Dr Zhang has a strong commitment to training students. His students have received several awards, such as 4 "Dean’s Commendation for Outstanding Academic Performance", 1 "Dean’s Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research", 1 "Dean's Award for Outstanding HDR Theses", ANFF-Q students award, 3MT Runner-UP and People's Choice. He has supervised 6 PhD and >20 Masters to completion. He is now co-coordinating and lecturing the MSE PP ENGY7112/7115/7114/7215 in School of Chem. Eng., EAIT. His teaching contributions in Faculty of Science, UQ are recognised by two nominations of "Dean’s Commendation for Excellent Teaching Awards" in semesters 1 and 2 in 2022.

Availability

Dr Run Zhang is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy of Engineering, Dalian University of Technology

Research interests

  • Responsive probes to detect and visualise highly reactive biomolecules

    design and synthesis of organic/organometallic complexes (including Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes and lanthanide chelate) for sensing of bioactive ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), redox biomolecules, gasotransmitters, amino acid, and proteins in various diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases.

  • Functional nanomaterial for early diseases diagnosis and treatment

    engineering of functional nanomaterials for disease detection and treatment through monitoring and regulation of redox state, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) for diseases deeply seated in body.

  • Sensors for the detection of food quality & safety and environmental pollutants

    development of ultra-sensitive sensors for the detection of food additives, antibiotics, pesticides, spoilage, heavy metals, toxic anions and gases (greenhouse gases and VOCs), etc.

  • Bionanoprobes for deep tissue sensing and imaging

    fabrication of responsive nanomaterials for sensing and imaging of biomarkers located deeply inside the body. The probes allow the monitoring of specific disease-related biomarkers through optical, acoustic, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

  • Redox monitoring and regulation for diagnosis and treatment

    development of novel luminescent probes with long emission lifetime to eliminate autofluorescence, allowing background-free quantification and bioimaging of redox species in situ development of responsive nanomaterials for treatment through quantitative redox regulation

Works

Search Professor Run Zhang’s works on UQ eSpace

190 works between 2010 and 2025

101 - 120 of 190 works

2020

Journal Article

A hydrogen peroxide activatable nanoprobe for light-controlled “double-check” multi-colour fluorescence imaging

Zhang, Xing, Fu, Youxin, Liu, Jianping, Qian, Guangren, Zhang, Junji, Zhang, Run and Xu, Zhi Ping (2020). A hydrogen peroxide activatable nanoprobe for light-controlled “double-check” multi-colour fluorescence imaging. Nanoscale, 12 (44), 22527-22533. doi: 10.1039/d0nr04881j

A hydrogen peroxide activatable nanoprobe for light-controlled “double-check” multi-colour fluorescence imaging

2020

Conference Publication

Multiphoton and FLIM imaging in quantifying ex vivo and in vivo body organ kinetics of solutes

Roberts, Michael S., Barkauskas, Deborah, Wang, Haolu, Liu, Xin, Studier, Hauke, Pastore, Michael, Zhang, Run, Holmes, Amy, Grice, Jeffrey E., Xu, Zhiping, Mohammed, Yousuf S. and Liang, Xiaowen (2020). Multiphoton and FLIM imaging in quantifying ex vivo and in vivo body organ kinetics of solutes. Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences, San Francisco, CA United States, 2-4 February 2020. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2546058

Multiphoton and FLIM imaging in quantifying ex vivo and in vivo body organ kinetics of solutes

2020

Journal Article

Responsive ruthenium complex probe for phosphorescence and time-gated luminescence detection of bisulfite

Zhang, Wenzhu, Xi, Xiuyan, Wang, Yong-Lei, Du, Zhongbo, Liu, Chaolong, Liu, Jianping, Song, Bo, Yuan, Jingli and Zhang, Run (2020). Responsive ruthenium complex probe for phosphorescence and time-gated luminescence detection of bisulfite. Dalton Transactions, 49 (17), 5531-5538. doi: 10.1039/c9dt04614c

Responsive ruthenium complex probe for phosphorescence and time-gated luminescence detection of bisulfite

2019

Journal Article

Insight into synergistic effect of adsorption-photocatalysis for the removal of organic dye pollutants by Cr doped ZnO

Chen, Jie, Xiong, Yan, Duan, Ming, Li, Xiang, Li, Jun, Fang, Shenwen, Qin, Sha and Zhang, Run (2019). Insight into synergistic effect of adsorption-photocatalysis for the removal of organic dye pollutants by Cr doped ZnO. Langmuir, 36 (2) acs.langmuir.9b02879, 520-533. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b02879

Insight into synergistic effect of adsorption-photocatalysis for the removal of organic dye pollutants by Cr doped ZnO

2019

Journal Article

Responsive nanosensor for ratiometric luminescence detection of hydrogen sulfide in inflammatory cancer cells

Liu, Jianping, Duan, Chengchen, Zhang, Wenzhu, Ta, Hang Thu, Yuan, Jingli, Zhang, Run and Xu, Zhi Ping (2019). Responsive nanosensor for ratiometric luminescence detection of hydrogen sulfide in inflammatory cancer cells. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1103, 156-163. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.12.056

Responsive nanosensor for ratiometric luminescence detection of hydrogen sulfide in inflammatory cancer cells

2019

Journal Article

Investigating the use of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles as carriers of metal oxides for theranostics of ROS-related diseases

Liu, Yajun, Wu, Yuao, Zhang, Run, Lam, Jacinta, Ng, Jack C., Xu, Zhi Ping, Li, Li and Ta, Hang T. (2019). Investigating the use of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles as carriers of metal oxides for theranostics of ROS-related diseases. ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2 (12) acsabm.9b00852, 5930-5940. doi: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00852

Investigating the use of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles as carriers of metal oxides for theranostics of ROS-related diseases

2019

Journal Article

Insight into adsorption-interaction mechanism of Cr(VI) at silica adsorbent surface by evanescent wave measurement

Xiong, Yan, Chen, Jie, Duan, Ming, Li, Xiang, Li, Jun, Zhang, Can, Fang, Shenwen, Liu, Rui and Zhang, Run (2019). Insight into adsorption-interaction mechanism of Cr(VI) at silica adsorbent surface by evanescent wave measurement. Langmuir, 35 (45) acs.langmuir.9b01556, 14414-14427. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b01556

Insight into adsorption-interaction mechanism of Cr(VI) at silica adsorbent surface by evanescent wave measurement

2019

Journal Article

Remote light-responsive nanocarriers for controlled drug delivery: advances and perspectives

Zhao, Wei, Zhao, Yongmei, Wang, Qingfu, Liu, Tianqing, Sun, Jingjiang and Zhang, Run (2019). Remote light-responsive nanocarriers for controlled drug delivery: advances and perspectives. Small, 15 (45) 1903060, e1903060. doi: 10.1002/smll.201903060

Remote light-responsive nanocarriers for controlled drug delivery: advances and perspectives

2019

Journal Article

Nanoparticle‐based nanomedicines to promote cancer immunotherapy: recent advances and future directions

Liu, Jianping, Zhang, Run and Xu, Zhi Ping (2019). Nanoparticle‐based nanomedicines to promote cancer immunotherapy: recent advances and future directions. Small, 15 (32) 1900262, 1900262. doi: 10.1002/smll.201900262

Nanoparticle‐based nanomedicines to promote cancer immunotherapy: recent advances and future directions

2019

Journal Article

A folic acid-functionalized dual-emissive nanoprobe for “double-check” luminescence imaging of cancer cells

Liu, Chaolong, Liu, Jianping, Ma, Hua, Zhang, Wenzhu, Song, Bo, Guo, Lianying, Zhang, Run and Yuan, Jingli (2019). A folic acid-functionalized dual-emissive nanoprobe for “double-check” luminescence imaging of cancer cells. Methods, 168, 102-108. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.07.001

A folic acid-functionalized dual-emissive nanoprobe for “double-check” luminescence imaging of cancer cells

2019

Journal Article

A redox-switchable colorimetric probe for “naked-eye” detection of hypochlorous acid and glutathione

Han, Qian, Zhou, Fang, Wang, Yue, Feng, Huan, Meng, Qingtao, Zhang, Zhiqiang and Zhang, Run (2019). A redox-switchable colorimetric probe for “naked-eye” detection of hypochlorous acid and glutathione. Molecules, 24 (13) 2455, 2455. doi: 10.3390/molecules24132455

A redox-switchable colorimetric probe for “naked-eye” detection of hypochlorous acid and glutathione

2019

Journal Article

A highly specific fluorescent probe for rapid detection of hypochlorous acid in vivo and in water samples

Feng, Huan, Wang, Yue, Liu, Jianping, Zhang, Zhiqiang, Yang, Xinyi, Chen, Rong, Meng, Qingtao and Zhang, Run (2019). A highly specific fluorescent probe for rapid detection of hypochlorous acid in vivo and in water samples. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 7 (24), 3909-3916. doi: 10.1039/c9tb00551j

A highly specific fluorescent probe for rapid detection of hypochlorous acid in vivo and in water samples

2019

Journal Article

A new red-emitting fluorescence probe for rapid and effective visualization of bisulfite in food samples and live animals

Zhou, Fang, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Feng, Huan, Wang, Yong-Lei, Meng, Qingtao, Wang, Yue, Zhang, Zhiqiang and Zhang, Run (2019). A new red-emitting fluorescence probe for rapid and effective visualization of bisulfite in food samples and live animals. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 67 (15), 4375-4383. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b07110

A new red-emitting fluorescence probe for rapid and effective visualization of bisulfite in food samples and live animals

2019

Journal Article

“Dual-key-and-lock” ruthenium complex probe for lysosomal formaldehyde in cancer cells and tumors

Liu, Chaolong, Zhang, Run, Zhang, Wenzhu, Liu, Jianping, Wang, Yong-Lei, Du, Zhongbo, Song, Bo, Xu, Zhi Ping and Yuan, Jingli (2019). “Dual-key-and-lock” ruthenium complex probe for lysosomal formaldehyde in cancer cells and tumors. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 141 (21) jacs.8b13898, 8462-8472. doi: 10.1021/jacs.8b13898

“Dual-key-and-lock” ruthenium complex probe for lysosomal formaldehyde in cancer cells and tumors

2019

Journal Article

A novel ruthenium-based molecular sensor to detect endothelial nitric oxide

Vidanapathirana, Achini K., Pullen, Benjamin J., Zhang, Run, Duong, MyNgan, Goyne, Jarrad M., Zhang, Xiaozhou, Bonder, Claudine S., Abell, Andrew D., Bursill, Christina A., Nicholls, Stephen J. and Psaltis, Peter J. (2019). A novel ruthenium-based molecular sensor to detect endothelial nitric oxide. Scientific Reports, 9 (1) 1720, 1720. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-39123-3

A novel ruthenium-based molecular sensor to detect endothelial nitric oxide

2019

Journal Article

Methods for biosensing and imaging

Zhang, Run and Tan, Mingqian (2019). Methods for biosensing and imaging. Methods, 168, 1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.09.010

Methods for biosensing and imaging

2018

Journal Article

Responsive upconversion nanoprobe for background‐free hypochlorous acid detection and bioimaging

Zhang, Run, Liang, Liuen, Meng, Qingtao, Zhao, Jiangbo, Ta, Hang T., Li, Li, Zhang, Zhiqiang, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Xu, Zhi Ping (2018). Responsive upconversion nanoprobe for background‐free hypochlorous acid detection and bioimaging. Small, 15 (2) 1803712, e1803712. doi: 10.1002/smll.201803712

Responsive upconversion nanoprobe for background‐free hypochlorous acid detection and bioimaging

2018

Journal Article

Iridium(III) complex-based activatable probe for phosphorescent/time-gated luminescent sensing and imaging of cysteine in mitochondria of live cells and animals

Du, Zhongbo, Zhang, Run, Song, Bo, Zhang, Wenzhu, Wang, Yong-Lei, Liu, Jianping, Liu, Chaolong, Xu, Zhi Ping and Yuan, Jingli (2018). Iridium(III) complex-based activatable probe for phosphorescent/time-gated luminescent sensing and imaging of cysteine in mitochondria of live cells and animals. Chemistry: A European Journal, 25 (6), 1365-1365. doi: 10.1002/chem.201805079

Iridium(III) complex-based activatable probe for phosphorescent/time-gated luminescent sensing and imaging of cysteine in mitochondria of live cells and animals

2018

Journal Article

Turn-on fluorescence probe for nitric oxide detection and bioimaging in live cells and zebrafish

Han, Qian, Liu, Jianping, Meng, Qingtao, Wang, Yong-Lei, Feng, Huan, Zhang, Zhiqiang, Xu, Zhi Ping and Zhang, Run (2018). Turn-on fluorescence probe for nitric oxide detection and bioimaging in live cells and zebrafish. ACS Sensors, 4 (2) acssensors.8b00776, 309-316. doi: 10.1021/acssensors.8b00776

Turn-on fluorescence probe for nitric oxide detection and bioimaging in live cells and zebrafish

2018

Journal Article

Bio-distribution and interaction with dopamine of fluorescent nanodots from roasted chicken

Song, Xunyu, Wang, Haitao, Zhang, Run, Yu, Chenxu and Tan, Mingqian (2018). Bio-distribution and interaction with dopamine of fluorescent nanodots from roasted chicken. Food and Function, 9 (12), 6227-6235. doi: 10.1039/c8fo01159a

Bio-distribution and interaction with dopamine of fluorescent nanodots from roasted chicken

Funding

Current funding

  • 2020 - 2025
    Monitoring inflammation through quantitation of redox-mediated macrophage polarisation
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2018
    Paper-based sensing devices for quick and effective monitoring of red meat quality
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    X-ray Induced Photoacoustic Nanoprobe: Break Depth Dependency of Bioimaging
    ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Visualisation and early prediction of ROS-mediated treatment response in liver cancer by a novel nanoplatform
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Run Zhang is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Responsive molecules and nanomaterials for bisoensing and bioimaging

  • Sensors for environmental pollutants and food quality & safety

  • Theranostic nanomaterials: especially the optical nanomaterials for diagnosis and therapy

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Activatable nanomaterials for cancer treatment

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ruirui Qiao

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of responsive nanoprobe for enzyme analysis in inflammation

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    In-situ growth of layered two-dimensional nano-sonosensitisers for enhanced sonodynamic therapy

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sensitive Detection of Antibiotics with Nanoprobes

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Monitoring inflammation through quantitation of redox-mediated macrophage polarisation

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Functional piezoelectric scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Responsive nanoprobe for redox biomolecules quantification

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sensitive Detection of Antibiotics with Nanoprobes

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Responsive probe for time-gated luminescence bioassay and imaging

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The efficacy of nanoencapsulation as a delivery system of Terminalia ferdinandiana extract for periodontal disease therapy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Precision Engineering Lipid Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Precision Engineering Lipid Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery

    Associate Advisor

  • Master Philosophy

    Development of cerium-containing layered double hydroxide nanoparticles as antioxidant for disease treatment

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Thermo-triggered Release of Drug/Gene Carrier System by Lipid-Encapsulated Gold Nanoparticles for Tumour Therapy

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Precision-engineered hybrid core-shell materials

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving the Shelf-life of Salmon Fillets Using an Advanced Nanoencapsulation Technology

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dharini Sivakumar, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Thermo-triggered Release of Drug/Gene Carrier System by Lipid-Encapsulated Gold Nanoparticles for Tumour Therapy

    Associate Advisor

  • Master Philosophy

    Bioinspired Piezoelectric Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Upconversion-encoded microspheres for glucocorticoids detection as food hazards or health markers

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kayvan Etebari, Dr Zeinab Khalil, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Dr Run Zhang directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biosensing and imaging
  • Cancer
  • Environmental pollution
  • Food safety
  • Inflammation
  • Optical probe
  • Redox biomolecules
  • Sensor
  • Stress resilience
  • Theranostic nanomaterials

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au