Research Focus (Recruitment Fields) and Content
Biology and Biomaterials
1. Nano-bio effects and safety
2. Low-toxicity tumor therapeutic and diagnostic nanomedicines
3. Molecular dynamics design and surface chemical modification of low-toxicity nanomaterials
4. Nuclear nanotechnology
Professional Titles and Positions
- Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Academician of the World Academy of Sciences
- Researcher
Currently serves as the Director of the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Director of the Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Director of the Institute of Intelligent Nanomedicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China.
Education and Work Experience
- 1985: Graduated from the Department of Chemistry, Sichuan University
- 1999: Ph.D. in Radiochemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan
- Conducted research at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute and RIKEN, discovered element 113 (Nihonium) with colleagues.
Work Experience
- 1996-1999: Tokyo Metropolitan University, Ph.D. in Radiochemistry
- 1993-1996: Tokyo Metropolitan University, Master's in Radiochemistry
- 1981-1985: Bachelor’s in Radiochemistry, Sichuan University
- 2018-present: Director and Researcher, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology
- 2011-2018: Deputy Director and Researcher, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology
- 2008-present: Director, Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS
- 2007-2011: Assistant Director and Researcher, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology
- 2005-2008: Executive Dean, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
- 2003-2006: Adjunct Professor, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University
- 2001-2019: Researcher, Institute of High Energy Physics, CAS
- 2001: Joint Researcher, RIKEN, Japan
- 1999-2001: JSPS Research Fellow, Tokyo Metropolitan University/RIKEN, Japan
- 1992-1993: Special Researcher, Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan
- 1989-1991: Assistant Researcher, China Institute of Atomic Energy
- 1989: STA Exchange Scholar, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute
- 1985-1989: Intern/Assistant Researcher, China Institute of Atomic Energy
Academic Achievements and Impact
Returned to China in 2001 and initiated research on nanosafety, becoming one of the earliest scholars in nanotoxicology globally. Established the Key Laboratory for Nanosafety at CAS. Developed quantitative analysis methodologies in this field, some adopted as international standards by ISO/IEC. Uncovered toxicological properties of large-scale carbon and inorganic nanomaterials. Proposed innovative low-toxicity cancer treatments by regulating tumor microenvironments.
Published over 500 SCI papers with over 50,000 citations and an H-index of 117. Holds more than 40 patents. Received multiple prestigious awards, including the National Natural Science Award (twice), CAS Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award, and TWAS Chemistry Award.
Promoted the intersection of nanoscience and biomedicine in China. Authored the first textbook on nanotoxicology, Nanotoxicology, in 2006. Founded the Nanotoxicology and Nanomedicine committees in China. Served as an expert or advisor for UNEP, OECD, EU, and others.
Current Projects (Main Responsibilities Only)
- Title: Innovative Analytical Methods for Nano-bio Effects Based on Nuclear and Synchrotron Radiation Technologies
- Source: National Natural Science Foundation of China Innovative Research Group Project
- Funding: 10.5 million RMB
- Duration: 2017-01 to 2022-12
- Title: Precise Construction Principles and Measurement of Functional Nano Systems
- Source: CAS Strategic Priority Research Program (Category B)
- Funding: 150 million RMB
- Duration: 2020-01 to 2024-12
- Title: Design and Application of Nanomedicines in Clinical Cancer Treatment
- Source: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Health Technology Innovation Project
- Funding: 1 million RMB
- Duration: 2019-01 to 2023-12
Representative Papers (Last Five Years)
1. Li SP, Zhang YL, Ho SH, Li BZ, Wang MF, Deng XW, Yang N, Liu GN, Lu ZF, Xu JC, Shi QW, Han JY, Zhang LR, Wu Y, Zhao YL, Nie GJ (2020) Combination of tumour-infarction therapy and chemotherapy via the co-delivery of doxorubicin and thrombin encapsulated in tumour-targeted nanoparticles. Nat Biomed Eng 4 (7): 732-742.
2. Di ZH, Liu B, Zhao J, Gu ZJ, Zhao YL, Li LL (2020) An orthogonally regulatable DNA nanodevice for spatiotemporally controlled biorecognition and tumor treatment. Sci Adv 6 (25): eaba9381.
3. An HW, Li LL, Wang Y, Wang ZQ, Hou DY, Lin YX, Qiao SL, Wang MD, Yang C, Cong Y, Ma Y, Zhao XX, Cai Q, Chen WT, Lu CQ, Xu WH, Wang H, Zhao YL (2019) A tumour-selective cascade activatable self-detained system for drug delivery and cancer imaging. Nat Commun 10: 4861.
4. Li SP, Jiang Q, Liu SL, Zhang YL, Tian YH, Song C, Wang J, Zou YG, Anderson GJ, Han JY, Chang Y, Liu Y, Zhang C, Chen L, Zhou GB, Nie GJ, Yan H, Ding BQ, Zhao YL (2018) A DNA nanorobot functions as a cancer therapeutic in response to a molecular trigger in vivo. Nat Biotechnol 36 (3): 258-264.
5. Han XX, Li YY, Xu Y, Zhao X, Zhang YL, Yang X, Wang YW, Zhao RF, Anderson GJ, Zhao YL, Nie GJ (2018) Reversal of pancreatic desmoplasia by re-educating stellate cells with a tumour microenvironment-activated nanosystem. Nat Commun 9: 3390.
Contact Information
Email: zhaoyl@nanoctr.cn
Phone: 0551-63600335