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Dr Cheng Zhang

CJ Martin Fellowship

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
c.zhang3@uq.edu.au
+61 7 334 63865

Overview

Dr Cheng Zhang is working on the synthesis and characterisation of biomaterials, in particular, polymeric imaging agents. His research strengths are in molecular level characterization by means of magnetic resonance and computational techniques. In the field of molecular imaging, in particular the 19F MRI, studies are currently being undertaken on applying highly fluorinated polymers as highly sensitive 19F MR agents for detection of breast cancer.

Research Interests

  • Polymer physical chemistry
  • Polymeric biomaterials for disease detection and treatment
  • NMR and MRI of polymers
  • Nanosensors for detecting and isolating circulating tumour cells (CTCs)

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Publications

  • Journal Article: Synthesis and Self-Assembly of ABn Miktoarm Star Polymers

    Bates, Morgan W., Barbon, Stephanie M., Levi, Adam E., Lewis, Ronald M., Beech, Haley K., Vonk, Kasper M., Cheng Zhang, Fredrickson, Glenn H., Hawker, Craig J. and Bates, Christopher M. (2020) Synthesis and Self-Assembly of ABn Miktoarm Star Polymers. ACS Macro Letters, 9 3: 396-403.doi:10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00061

  • Journal Article: Carbon dots embedded metal organic framework @ chitosan core-shell nanoparticles for vitro dual mode imaging and pH-responsive drug delivery

    Lin, Caixue, Sun, Keke, Zhang, Cheng, Tan, Tingyuan, Xu, Yueming, Liu, Yana, Xu, Chen, Wang, Yingxi, Li, Ling and Whittaker, Andrew (2020) Carbon dots embedded metal organic framework @ chitosan core-shell nanoparticles for vitro dual mode imaging and pH-responsive drug delivery. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 293 109775. doi:10.1016/j.micromeso.2019.109775

  • Journal Article: Low-fouling fluoropolymers for bioconjugation and in vivo tracking

    Changkui Fu, Baris Demir, Alcantara, Sheilajen, Vinod Kumar, Han, Felicity Yaqin, Kelly, Hannah, Xiao Tan, Yu, Ye, Weizhi Xu, Jiacheng Zhao, Cheng Zhang, Hui Peng, Boyer, Cyrille, Woodruff, Trent , Stephen Kent, Bernhardt (Searles), Debra and Whittaker, Andrew K. (2020) Low-fouling fluoropolymers for bioconjugation and in vivo tracking. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 132 12: 4759-4765.doi:10.1002/anie.201914119

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Grants

View all Grants

Supervision

  • Nanoscale Molecular Pressure Sensors

    Doctor Philosophy

  • Hybrid metal-polymer nanoparticles for disease detection

    Doctor Philosophy

  • Bringing Materials to Life

    Doctor Philosophy

View all Supervision

Available Projects

  • 19F MRI Imaging Agents for Disease Detection

    The aim of this project is to develop new magnetic resonance (MR) molecular imaging strategies that will enable the in vivo monitoring of biological processes. Specifically, we will develop novel fluorinated polymers for imaging of early markers of diseases such as melanoma, prostate cancer, malignant glioma and Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, the project involves the synthesis of new partly-fluorinated polymers having controlled architecture for the rapidly developing field of 19F MRI. Other imaging modalities, drugs and targeting ligands will be conjugated. The project aims to relate the structure of the macromolecules, determined carefully using advanced techniques such as NMR, light scattering, GPC, AFM and electron microscopy, to the performance as imaging agents. The agents will be tested in small animal (mouse) models of disease already developed by this group and our collaborators.

  • Preparation of Highly Effective and Versatile detectors for Quantitative Detection of Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs)

    The fast and accurate detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) is critical for effective diagnosis and treatment of patients with metastatic diseases. Unfortunately, the development of CTCs detectors is currently hindered by the limited accessibility to materials with precisely defined structure and uniform properties, thus resulting in low accuracy and reliability in detection of CTCs. In this project, we will develop a novel small molecule for the next-generation and non-invasive detection of CTCs with high specificity, sensitivity and accuracy. The application of these polymers to detect in vitro CTCs will be demonstrated and supported by fundamental studies of the properties of these unique molecules.

  • Preparation of Highly Effective and Versatile Discrete Molecular Transporters for the Delivery of Drugs and Probes.

    The design and development of new agents that enable or enhance the passage of drugs and probes across biological barriers is a goal of unsurpassed significance in the search for improved imaging molecules, diagnostics and therapies. However, the development of highly-effective molecular transporters is hindered by current synthetic strategies. As such, it is critical to be able to prepare novel monodisperse molecular transporters (Ð=1) with precise structures, compositions, and function, which are essential for their special and unique transport properties. In this project, a versatile and scalable strategy for the preparation of discrete (monodisperse) materials will be developed. This approach enables the combination of facile polymerization procedures and ubiquitous purification processes. Different types of well-defined oligomers with different charges will be synthesized and their interaction and internalization with cells will be further demonstrated.

View all Available Projects

Publications

Journal Article

Conference Publication

Other Outputs

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.

  • 19F MRI Imaging Agents for Disease Detection

    The aim of this project is to develop new magnetic resonance (MR) molecular imaging strategies that will enable the in vivo monitoring of biological processes. Specifically, we will develop novel fluorinated polymers for imaging of early markers of diseases such as melanoma, prostate cancer, malignant glioma and Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, the project involves the synthesis of new partly-fluorinated polymers having controlled architecture for the rapidly developing field of 19F MRI. Other imaging modalities, drugs and targeting ligands will be conjugated. The project aims to relate the structure of the macromolecules, determined carefully using advanced techniques such as NMR, light scattering, GPC, AFM and electron microscopy, to the performance as imaging agents. The agents will be tested in small animal (mouse) models of disease already developed by this group and our collaborators.

  • Preparation of Highly Effective and Versatile detectors for Quantitative Detection of Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs)

    The fast and accurate detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) is critical for effective diagnosis and treatment of patients with metastatic diseases. Unfortunately, the development of CTCs detectors is currently hindered by the limited accessibility to materials with precisely defined structure and uniform properties, thus resulting in low accuracy and reliability in detection of CTCs. In this project, we will develop a novel small molecule for the next-generation and non-invasive detection of CTCs with high specificity, sensitivity and accuracy. The application of these polymers to detect in vitro CTCs will be demonstrated and supported by fundamental studies of the properties of these unique molecules.

  • Preparation of Highly Effective and Versatile Discrete Molecular Transporters for the Delivery of Drugs and Probes.

    The design and development of new agents that enable or enhance the passage of drugs and probes across biological barriers is a goal of unsurpassed significance in the search for improved imaging molecules, diagnostics and therapies. However, the development of highly-effective molecular transporters is hindered by current synthetic strategies. As such, it is critical to be able to prepare novel monodisperse molecular transporters (Ð=1) with precise structures, compositions, and function, which are essential for their special and unique transport properties. In this project, a versatile and scalable strategy for the preparation of discrete (monodisperse) materials will be developed. This approach enables the combination of facile polymerization procedures and ubiquitous purification processes. Different types of well-defined oligomers with different charges will be synthesized and their interaction and internalization with cells will be further demonstrated.

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ORCID: 0000-0002-2722-7497

Scopus ID: 56179267200

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