
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, 7/85 in Biochemical Research), 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 by Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientist Ranking, and top 0.5% of all scholars worldwide for excellence in research productivity, impact and quality by ScholarGPS Ranking (ranked #183 Globally in Biomedical Engineering). 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
2018
Journal Article
Selective and sensitive detection of cysteine in water and live cells using a coumarin–Cu2+ fluorescent ensemble
Wang, Yue, Meng, Qingtao, Han, Qian, He, Guangjie, Hu, Yaoyun, Feng, Huan, Jia, Hongmin, Zhang, Run and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2018). Selective and sensitive detection of cysteine in water and live cells using a coumarin–Cu2+ fluorescent ensemble. New Journal of Chemistry, 42 (19), 15839-15846. doi: 10.1039/c8nj03809k
2018
Journal Article
Front cover: Responsive Fluorescence Probe for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Hypochlorous Acid in Live Cells and Animals (Chem. Asian J. 18/2018)
Feng, Huan, Meng, Qingtao, Wang, Yue, Duan, Chengchen, Wang, Cuiping, Jia, Hongmin, Zhang, Zhiqiang and Zhang, Run (2018). Front cover: Responsive Fluorescence Probe for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Hypochlorous Acid in Live Cells and Animals (Chem. Asian J. 18/2018). Chemistry - An Asian Journal, 13 (18), 2573-2573. doi: 10.1002/asia.201801106
2018
Journal Article
Development of a ruthenium(II) complex-based luminescence probe for detection of hydrogen sulfite in food samples
Zhang, Wenzhu, Liu, Hua, Zhang, Feiyue, Wang, Yong-Lei, Song, Bo, Zhang, Run and Yuan, Jingli (2018). Development of a ruthenium(II) complex-based luminescence probe for detection of hydrogen sulfite in food samples. Microchemical Journal, 141, 181-187. doi: 10.1016/j.microc.2018.05.031
2018
Journal Article
Multifunctional magnetized porous silica covered with Poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) for pH controllable drug release and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Li, Ling, Zhang, Cheng, Zhang, Run, Xu, Zushun, Xu, Zhiping and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2018). Multifunctional magnetized porous silica covered with Poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) for pH controllable drug release and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 1 (9) acsanm.8b01131, 5027-5034. doi: 10.1021/acsanm.8b01131
2018
Journal Article
Novel iron oxide–cerium oxide core–shell nanoparticles as a potential theranostic material for ROS related inflammatory diseases
Wu, Yuao, Yang, Yanchen, Zhao, Wei, Xu, Zhi Ping, Little, Peter J., Whittaker, Andrew K., Zhang, Run and Ta, Hang T. (2018). Novel iron oxide–cerium oxide core–shell nanoparticles as a potential theranostic material for ROS related inflammatory diseases. Journal of Materials Chemistry B: Materials for Biology and Medicine, 6 (30), 4937-4951. doi: 10.1039/c8tb00022k
2018
Journal Article
Activatable magnetic resonance nanosensor as a potential imaging agent for detecting and discriminating thrombosis
Ta, Hang T., Arndt, Nina, Wu, Yuao, Lim, Hui Jean, Landeen, Shea, Zhang, Run, Kamato, Danielle, Little, Peter J., Whittaker, Andrew K. and Xu, Zhi Ping (2018). Activatable magnetic resonance nanosensor as a potential imaging agent for detecting and discriminating thrombosis. Nanoscale, 10 (31), 15103-15115. doi: 10.1039/c8nr05095c
2018
Journal Article
Responsive fluorescence probe for selective and sensitive detection of hypochlorous acid in live cells and animals
Feng, Huan, Meng, Qingtao, Wang, Yue, Duan, Chengchen, Wang, Cuiping, Jia, Hongmin, Zhang, Zhiqiang and Zhang, Run (2018). Responsive fluorescence probe for selective and sensitive detection of hypochlorous acid in live cells and animals. Chemistry - An Asian Journal, 13 (18), 2611-2618. doi: 10.1002/asia.201800957
2018
Journal Article
Rapid Response Fluorescence Probe Enabled In Vivo Diagnosis and Assessing Treatment Response of Hypochlorous Acid-Mediated Rheumatoid Arthritis
Feng, Huan, Zhang, Zhiqiang, Meng, Qingtao, Jia, Hongmin, Wang, Yue and Zhang, Run (2018). Rapid Response Fluorescence Probe Enabled In Vivo Diagnosis and Assessing Treatment Response of Hypochlorous Acid-Mediated Rheumatoid Arthritis. Advanced Science, 5 (8) 1800397, 1800397. doi: 10.1002/advs.201800397
2018
Journal Article
Quantitative monitoring and visualization of hydrogen sulfide in vivo using a luminescent probe based on a ruthenium(II) complex
Du, Zhongbo, Song, Bo, Zhang, Wenzhu, Duan, Chengchen, Wang, Yong-Lei, Liu, Chaolong, Zhang, Run and Yuan, Jingli (2018). Quantitative monitoring and visualization of hydrogen sulfide in vivo using a luminescent probe based on a ruthenium(II) complex. Angewandte Chemie, 130 (15), 4063-4068. doi: 10.1002/ange.201800540
2018
Journal Article
A fast response fluorescence probe specific for hypochlorous acid detection and its applications in bioimaging
Jia, Hongmin, Xia, Shuhe, Feng, Huan, Meng, Qingtao, Duan, Chengchen, Zhang, Zhiqiang and Zhang, Run (2018). A fast response fluorescence probe specific for hypochlorous acid detection and its applications in bioimaging. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 16 (12), 2074-2082. doi: 10.1039/c8ob00036k
2018
Journal Article
A novel glucosamine-linked fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of pyrophosphate in an aqueous medium and live cells
Meng, Qingtao, Wang, Yue, Feng, Huan, Zhou, Fang, Zhou, Bo, Wang, Cuiping, Zhang, Run and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2018). A novel glucosamine-linked fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of pyrophosphate in an aqueous medium and live cells. New Journal of Chemistry, 42 (4), 2675-2681. doi: 10.1039/c7nj04107a
2018
Journal Article
Quantitative Monitoring and Visualizing of Hydrogen Sulfide in vivo by A Ruthenium(II) Complex-based Luminescence Probe with New Recognition Moiety
Du, Zhongbo, Song, Bo, Zhang, Wenzhu, Duan, Chengchen, Wang, Yong-Lei, Liu, Chaolong, Zhang, Run and Yuan, Jingli (2018). Quantitative Monitoring and Visualizing of Hydrogen Sulfide in vivo by A Ruthenium(II) Complex-based Luminescence Probe with New Recognition Moiety. Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English), 57 (15), 3999-4004. doi: 10.1002/anie.201800540
2018
Journal Article
Bioanalytical methods for hypochlorous acid detection: recent advances and challenges
Zhang, Run, Song, Bo and Yuan, Jingli (2018). Bioanalytical methods for hypochlorous acid detection: recent advances and challenges. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 99, 1-33. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2017.11.015
2018
Journal Article
Recent progress in upconversion luminescence nanomaterials for biomedical applications
Duan, Chengchen, Liang, Liuen, Li, Li, Zhang, Run and Xu, Zhi Ping (2018). Recent progress in upconversion luminescence nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 6 (2), 192-209. doi: 10.1039/c7tb02527k
2018
Journal Article
X-ray fluorescence imaging of metals and metalloids in biological systems
Zhang, Run, Li, Li, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Xu, Zhi Ping (2018). X-ray fluorescence imaging of metals and metalloids in biological systems. American Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 8 (3), 169-188.
2018
Journal Article
A ruthenium(ii) complex–cyanine energy transfer scaffold based luminescence probe for ratiometric detection and imaging of mitochondrial peroxynitrite
Zhang, Wenzhu, Liu, Yi, Gao, Quankun, Liu, Chaolong, Song, Bo, Zhang, Run and Yuan, Jingli (2018). A ruthenium(ii) complex–cyanine energy transfer scaffold based luminescence probe for ratiometric detection and imaging of mitochondrial peroxynitrite. Chemical Communications, 54 (97), 13698-13701. doi: 10.1039/c8cc08061e
2017
Journal Article
Magnetic metal organic frameworks (MOFs) composite for removal of lead and malachite green in wastewater
Shi, Zhennan, Xu, Chen, Guan, Han, Li, Ling, Fan, Lu, Wang, Yingxi, Liu, Li, Meng, Qingtao and Zhang, Run (2017). Magnetic metal organic frameworks (MOFs) composite for removal of lead and malachite green in wastewater. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 539, 382-390. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2017.12.043
2017
Journal Article
Selective detection of inorganic phosphates in live cells based on a responsive fluorescence probe
Feng, Huan, Wang, Yue, Jia, Hongmin, Zhang, Run, Han, Qian, Meng, Qingtao and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2017). Selective detection of inorganic phosphates in live cells based on a responsive fluorescence probe. New Journal of Chemistry, 41 (18), 9623-9630. doi: 10.1039/c7nj01983a
2017
Journal Article
A gadolinium(III)-coumarin complex based MRI/Fluorescence bimodal probe for the detection of fluoride ion in aqueous. medium
Wang, Yue, Wang, Xueyi, Meng, Qingtao, Jia, Hongmin, Zhang, Run, Zhu, Peixun, Song, Renfeng, Feng, Huan and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2017). A gadolinium(III)-coumarin complex based MRI/Fluorescence bimodal probe for the detection of fluoride ion in aqueous. medium. Tetrahedron, 73 (38), 5700-5705. doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2017.08.007
2017
Journal Article
Mannose-conjugated layered double hydroxide nanocomposite for targeted siRNA delivery to enhance cancer therapy
Li, Li, Zhang, Run, Gu, Wenyi and Ping, Zhi (2017). Mannose-conjugated layered double hydroxide nanocomposite for targeted siRNA delivery to enhance cancer therapy. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, 14 (7), 2355-2364. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.06.006
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Run Zhang is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Responsive molecules and nanomaterials for bisoensing and bioimaging
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Sensors for environmental pollutants and food quality & safety
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Theranostic nanomaterials: especially the optical nanomaterials for diagnosis and therapy
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Sensitive Detection of Antibiotics with Nanoprobes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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Doctor Philosophy
Responsive nanoprobe for redox biomolecules quantification
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Functional piezoelectric scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Li Li
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Doctor Philosophy
Activatable nanomaterials for cancer treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ruirui Qiao
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Doctor Philosophy
Responsive probe for time-gated luminescence bioassay and imaging
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jiaxi Yong
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of responsive nanoprobe for enzyme analysis in inflammation
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving the Shelf-life of Salmon Fillets Using an Advanced Nanoencapsulation Technology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dharini Sivakumar, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Thermo-triggered Release of Drug/Gene Carrier System by Lipid-Encapsulated Gold Nanoparticles for Tumour Therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Li Li
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Doctor Philosophy
Optimization and Characterization of Seaweed Bioactive Materials for Encapsulation and Valorization of Seaweed based products
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Dr Dharini Sivakumar
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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
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
In-situ growth of layered two-dimensional nano-sonosensitisers for enhanced sonodynamic therapy
Principal Advisor
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Precision Engineering Lipid Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery
Associate Advisor
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2024
Master Philosophy
Development of cerium-containing layered double hydroxide nanoparticles as antioxidants for disease treatment
Associate Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Developing efficient nanoparticle-based platform to deliver biomolecules for plant modification
Associate Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Lipid-Coated Upconversion Nanoparticle as a Responsive Therapeutic Gas Release Nanoplatform for Cancer Therapy
Associate Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Layered double hydroxide nanoparticles tailored to target tumor microenvironment as multifunctional nanoplatforms for synergistic cancer therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Li Li
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Development of theranostic nanomaterials based on iron oxide and cerium oxide for ROS-related and inflammatory diseases
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Cu-LDH-based nanomedicine for combination cancer therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Li Li
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
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