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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 12 research grants (> 4 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 ARC DP to develop nanoparticle with ultra-high MRI signal for sensor applications, 1 UQ ECR grant, 1 NSFC grant, and another 3 grants from universities.

Research Output: Dr Zhang has published about 200 research papers since his first publication in 2010 (~110 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 more than 11,000 citations with an H-index of 60. He has 9 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 >40 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 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 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 5 "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 10 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 UQ are recognised by twice nominations of "Dean’s Commendation for Excellent Teaching Awards" in semesters 1 and 2 in 2022 by the students.

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

205 works between 2010 and 2026

141 - 160 of 205 works

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

Activatable magnetic resonance nanosensor as a potential imaging agent for detecting and discriminating thrombosis

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

Responsive fluorescence probe for selective and sensitive detection of hypochlorous acid in live cells and animals

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

Rapid Response Fluorescence Probe Enabled In Vivo Diagnosis and Assessing Treatment Response of Hypochlorous Acid-Mediated Rheumatoid Arthritis

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

Quantitative monitoring and visualization of hydrogen sulfide in vivo using a luminescent probe based on a ruthenium(II) complex

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

A fast response fluorescence probe specific for hypochlorous acid detection and its applications in bioimaging

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

A novel glucosamine-linked fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of pyrophosphate in an aqueous medium and live cells

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

Quantitative Monitoring and Visualizing of Hydrogen Sulfide in vivo by A Ruthenium(II) Complex-based Luminescence Probe with New Recognition Moiety

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

Bioanalytical methods for hypochlorous acid detection: recent advances and challenges

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

Recent progress in upconversion luminescence nanomaterials for biomedical applications

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.

X-ray fluorescence imaging of metals and metalloids in biological systems

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

A ruthenium(ii) complex–cyanine energy transfer scaffold based luminescence probe for ratiometric detection and imaging of mitochondrial peroxynitrite

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

Magnetic metal organic frameworks (MOFs) composite for removal of lead and malachite green in wastewater

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

Selective detection of inorganic phosphates in live cells based on a responsive fluorescence probe

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

A gadolinium(III)-coumarin complex based MRI/Fluorescence bimodal probe for the detection of fluoride ion in aqueous. medium

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

Mannose-conjugated layered double hydroxide nanocomposite for targeted siRNA delivery to enhance cancer therapy

2017

Journal Article

A mitochondria-targeted ratiometric probe for the fluorescent and colorimetric detection of SO2 derivatives in live cells

Wang, Yongfei, Meng, Qingtao, Zhang, Run, Jia, Hongmin, Wang, Cuiping and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2017). A mitochondria-targeted ratiometric probe for the fluorescent and colorimetric detection of SO2 derivatives in live cells. Journal of Luminescence, 192, 297-302. doi: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2017.06.033

A mitochondria-targeted ratiometric probe for the fluorescent and colorimetric detection of SO2 derivatives in live cells

2017

Journal Article

Development of a novel lysosome-targeted ruthenium(II) complex for phosphorescence/ time-gated luminescence assay of biothiols

Gao, Quankun, Zhang, Wenzhu, Song, Bo, Zhang, Run, Guo, Weihua and Yuan, Jingli (2017). Development of a novel lysosome-targeted ruthenium(II) complex for phosphorescence/ time-gated luminescence assay of biothiols. Analytical Chemistry, 89 (8), 4517-4524. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b04925

Development of a novel lysosome-targeted ruthenium(II) complex for phosphorescence/ time-gated luminescence assay of biothiols

2017

Journal Article

A ratiometric fluorescence probe for imaging sulfur dioxide derivatives in the mitochondria of living cells

Wang, Yongfei, Meng, Qingtao, Zhang, Run, Jia, Hongmin, Zhang, Xuehu and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2017). A ratiometric fluorescence probe for imaging sulfur dioxide derivatives in the mitochondria of living cells. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 15 (13), 2734-2739. doi: 10.1039/c6ob02779b

A ratiometric fluorescence probe for imaging sulfur dioxide derivatives in the mitochondria of living cells

2017

Journal Article

Two-photon dual imaging platform for in vivo monitoring cellular oxidative stress in liver injury

Wang, Haolu, Zhang, Run, Bridle, Kim R., Jayachandran, Aparna, Thomas, James A., Zhang, Wenzhu, Yuan, Jingli, Xu, Zhi Ping, Crawford, Darrell H. G., Liang, Xiaowen, Liu, Xin and Roberts, Michael S. (2017). Two-photon dual imaging platform for in vivo monitoring cellular oxidative stress in liver injury. Scientific Reports, 7 (1) 45374. doi: 10.1038/srep45374

Two-photon dual imaging platform for in vivo monitoring cellular oxidative stress in liver injury

2017

Journal Article

Deep-penetrating photodynamic therapy with KillerRed mediated by upconversion nanoparticles

Liang, Liuen, Lu, Yiqing, Zhang, Run, Care, Andrew, Ortega, Tiago A., Deyev, Sergey M., Qian, Yi and Zvyagin, Andrei V. (2017). Deep-penetrating photodynamic therapy with KillerRed mediated by upconversion nanoparticles. Acta Biomaterialia, 51, 461-470. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.01.004

Deep-penetrating photodynamic therapy with KillerRed mediated by upconversion nanoparticles

Funding

Current funding

  • 2026 - 2030
    Heterometallic nanosheets with ultra-high MRI signals and sensor capability (ARC Discovery Project administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2026 - 2027
    Portable and Affordable Paper-based Sensor Platform for Wine Quality Control
    Australia's Economic Accelerator Ignite Grants
    Open grant
  • 2026 - 2027
    Smart Photodynamic Technology for Postharvest Decay Management
    Australia's Economic Accelerator Ignite Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

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

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose 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

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

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