Dr. Wenyao Zhen, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the Institute of Technical Chemistry and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a national high-level young talent and a recipient of the National Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Overseas).

Dr. Zhen Wenyao earned her Ph.D. in 2021 from the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China). In 2022, she conducted postdoctoral research in the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology at the University of Chicago, USA. In 2024, she joined the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore for postdoctoral research. In 2025, she returned to China and joined the Biomimetic Intelligent Interface Science Center at the Institute of Technical Chemistry and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, becoming a member of the research team led by Prof. Shutao Wang. Her long-term research focuses on the molecular chemical nature of biointerface interactions and their dynamic regulation mechanisms. Centered on the design and development of biomimetic intelligent materials, she systematically investigates the intrinsic relationship between molecular structure and biointerface regulatory functions, and further develops biomimetic intelligent material systems with controllable regulation and responsive properties. These systems are applied for theoretical validation and practical expansion in complex biological environments and the diagnosis and treatment of major diseases.

To date, she has published 47 academic papers, including 24 SCI papers as first or corresponding author in top international journals such as J. Am. Chem. Soc. (4 papers), Adv. Mater. (3 papers), Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (4 papers) and Chem. Soc. Rev. She holds 3 authorized invention patents. Her accolades include the CAS President's Special Award and the first prize of the China Association for Instrumental Analysis (CAIA) Science and Technology Award. She was invited to attend the 70th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany and has been selected for the Lindau Alumni Network of the Sino-German Center for Research Promotion. Prof. Zhen was selected as a young editorial board member for journals such as Research.

Research Area

Targeting the core challenge of long-term microenvironmental instability in age-related chronic diseases, this research integrates synthetic biology and bioinspired intelligent materials. Starting from the mining of interfacial features in real clinical samples, it guides the rational design of bioinspired interfaces and the construction of adaptive regulatory functions, ultimately establishing a research paradigm of "clinical discovery-mechanistic elucidation-bioinspired intelligent material design and construction-validation and application" to achieve active homeostatic regulation of chronic pathological microenvironments.

Within this overarching framework, the following three interconnected studies will be pursued:

(i) Clinical Sample-Based Characterization of Biointerfacial Features in Age-Related Chronic Diseases

Taking clinical patient pathological specimens as the core research subjects, this study systematically acquires multidimensional interfacial features of inflammation, metabolism, immunity, and mechanical signals within the microenvironment of age-related chronic diseases (including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, gynecological tumors, urological tumors, sarcomas, and metabolism-associated chronic inflammatory diseases). A molecular atlas and dynamic variation patterns of pathological biointerfaces will be established, elucidating the associations between interfacial structural abnormalities and functional dysregulation, thereby providing clinical evidence and targeted parameters for the design of bioinspired interfaces.

(ii) Clinical Feature-Guided Design of Bioinspired Biointerfaces and Molecular Mechanism Studies

Targeting the clinical interfacial features and key regulatory nodes revealed in the first study, and based on bioinspired interfacial design principles, this study constructs composite interfacial systems comprising engineered living functional units and bioinspired materials (particularly organic framework materials). It elucidates the regulatory effects of interfacial topology, chemical composition, and physicochemical properties on cell adhesion, signal transduction, and functional output, clarifying the molecular mechanisms by which bioinspired interfaces simulate and restore the functions of native biointerfaces.

(iii) Construction of Bioinspired Living Interface Engineering Systems and Applications in Chronic Disease Intervention and Detection

Integrating functional bioinspired materials, engineered living units, and interfacial assembly technologies, this study constructs bioinspired living interface engineering systems capable of long-term stable operation. In models of age-related chronic diseases (including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, gynecological and urological tumors, metabolic diseases, and chronic inflammation, in combination with clinical intervention scenarios such as radiotherapy), and guided by the interfacial design parameters established in the preceding studies, it systematically evaluates the effectiveness of these systems in pathological microenvironment remodeling, adaptive regulation, and disease intervention or diagnosis, thereby validating the clinical translational potential of bioinspired intelligent materials.

Website: https://www.x-mol.com/groups/TIPC-Zhen-Group

https://people.ucas.edu.cn/~TIPC-Zhen-Group

September 2016 – December 2021

Ph.D. University of Science and Technology of China (Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences), China.

Youth editorial board member for Research

April 2022 – October 2024

POSTDOC, University of Chicago, USA.

November 2024 – December 2025

POSTDOC, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

December 2025 – Present

Professor, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.

Up to now, a total of 47 academic papers have been published, among which 243 SCI papers have been published as the first or corresponding author, including 4 in J. Am. Chem. Soc., 3 in Adv. Mater., 4 in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Chem. Soc. Rev. and other top international journals; 3 patents have been authorized.

Representative publications in the past five years:

1.Rebeka Rita Reszegi; Wenyao Zhen*; Xiaoyuan Chen*; Jingjing Zhang*. Switchable and Biodegradable Nanostructures for Safe and Precise Tumor Diagnostics, Chemical Society Reviews, 2026, 55(12), 6500-6570.

2.Wenyao Zhen‡; Wang-Kang Han‡; Tianzhi Zhao; Rebeka Rita Reszegi; Zhenni Wei; Zhiguo Gu*, Jingjing Zhang*, Xiaoyuan Chen*. MSA-2 Loaded Three-Dimensional Metal Covalent Organic Framework for Synergistic Radiosensitization and Innate Immune Activation, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2026, 148(8), 8393-8404.

3.Wenyao Zhen‡; Yingjie Fan‡; Tomas Germanas; Langston Tillman; Jinhong Li; Abigail L. Blenko; Ralph R. Weichselbaum; Wenbin Lin*. Digitonin-Loaded Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework for Mitochondria-Targeted Radiotherapy-Radiodynamic Therapy and Disulfidptosis. Advanced Materials, 2025, 37(52): 2405494.

4.Wenyao Zhen‡; Ziwan Xu‡; Yibin Mao‡; Caroline McCleary; Xiaomin Jiang; Ralph R. Weichselbaum*; Wenbin Lin*. Nanoscale Mixed-Ligand Metal-Organic Framework for X-ray Stimulated Cancer Therapy. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2024, 146(48): 33149-33158.

5.Wenyao Zhen‡; Dong Won Kang‡; Yingjie Fan; Zitong Wang; Tomas Germanas; Geoffrey T. Nash; Qijie Shen; Rachel Leech; Jinhong Li; Gregory S. Engel; Ralph R. Weichselbaum; Wenbin Lin*. Simultaneous Protonation and Metalation of a Porphyrin Covalent Organic Framework Enhance Photodynamic Therapy. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2024, 146(24): 16609-16618.

6.Wenyao Zhen‡; Tomas Germanas‡; Ralph R. Weichselbaum; Wenbin Lin*, Multifunctional Nanomaterials Mediate Cholesterol Depletion for Cancer Treatment, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2024, 136(46): e202412844.

7.Ziwan Xu‡; Wenyao Zhen‡; Caroline McCleary; Taokun Luo; Xiaomin Jiang; Cheng Peng; Ralph R. Weichselbaum; Wenbin Lin*. Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework with An X-ray Triggerable Prodrug for Synergistic Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2023, 145(34): 18698-18704.

8.Wenyao Zhen; Ralph R. Weichselbaum; Wenbin Lin*. Nanoparticle‐Mediated Radiotherapy Remodels the Tumor Microenvironment to Enhance Antitumor Efficacy. Advanced Materials, 2023, 35(21): 2206370.

9.Wenyao Zhen; Yang Liu; Shangjie An; Xiue Jiang*. Glutathione‐Induced In Situ Michael Addition between Nanoparticles for Pyroptosis and Immunotherapy. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2023, 62(20): e202301866

10.Wenyao Zhen; Shangjie An; Shuqi Wang; Wenxue Hu; Yujie Li; Xiue Jiang*; Jinghong Li*. Precise Subcellular Organelle Targeting for Boosting Endogenous‐Stimuli‐Mediated Tumor Therapy. Advanced Materials, 2021, 33(51): 2101572.

Research Grants

Talent Introduction Program of the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences

(January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2029) – Principal Investigator

Talent Introduction Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

(January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2029) – Principal Investigator

National Natural Science Foundation of China Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Overseas)

(January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2029) – Principal Investigator

1. Xiaomin Jiang, Wenbin Lin, Ziwan Xu, Wenyao Zhen, Nanoscale metal organic frameworks with X-ray triggerable prodrugs for combination radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The US patent, 2023, Application No. UCHI 23-T-193.

2. Xiue Jiang, Wenyao Zhen, Shangjie An, Xiaodan Jia, Chao Wang. "A bovine serum albumin–iron nanocomposite and its preparation method and application." Patent No. CN110548017A. 2021.

3. Xiue Jiang, Wenyao Zhen, Xiaodan Jia. "A bovine serum albumin–tea polyphenol–molybdenum nanocomposite and its application." Patent No. CN112641852A. 2022.

4. Xiue Jiang, Shuqi Wang, Wenyao Zhen, Xiaodan Jia. "A template‑free hollow tannic acid‑iron nanocoordination sphere and its preparation method and application." Patent No. CN202111304045. 2021.

Research Direction

Addressing the long-term instability of disease-associated microenvironments in aging-related chronic diseases as a central scientific and engineering challenge, this research develops Living Interface Engineering as a core methodological framework. By integrating synthetic biology approaches (such as engineered probiotics, engineered cells, and biohybrid living systems) with biomimetic intelligent interfacial materials, we aim to construct living interface governance systems with in situ sensing, interfacial adaptability, and regulatory capability.

The research focuses on interfacial degeneration phenomena in aging-related chronic diseases, including persistent inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and abnormal mechanical microenvironments. The interfacial adhesion, targeted regulation, and long-term governance performance of these systems are systematically evaluated in realistic and complex biological settings. Application-derived feedback is further used to iteratively refine living interface structural design and regulatory principles.

Centered on key scientific questions concerning the molecular basis of biointerfacial interactions and dynamic regulation, this research addresses major bottlenecks such as unclear structure–function relationships at biological interfaces, delayed responses to microenvironmental changes, and insufficient adaptability to complex biological conditions. Through systematic studies of the molecular chemical foundations, dynamic interfacial regulation mechanisms, and applications in aging-related chronic disease governance, this work aims to establish a sustainably operable, precisely controllable theoretical and technological framework for living interface engineering.

Key Research Areas

(1) Structure–Function Relationships and Molecular Mechanisms of Biomimetic Biointerfaces

Guided by biomimetic interfacial design principles, this research elucidates the molecular interaction mechanisms between engineered living units and biomimetic material interfaces, clarifying how interfacial structures regulate adhesion stability, signal transduction, and functional output.

(2) Dynamic Responses and Adaptive Regulation of Biointerfaces in Aging-Related Chronic Diseases

This research investigates the in situ sensing and dynamic response behaviors of biointerfaces to inflammatory, metabolic, and mechanical cues, revealing the mechanisms by which living interfaces achieve adaptive and long-term stable regulation in complex chronic disease environments.

(3) Construction of Biomimetic Living Interface Engineering Systems and Applications in Chronic Disease Governance

Biomimetic living interface engineering systems with long-term operational capability are constructed and evaluated in representative aging-related chronic disease models (such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, cancer, metabolic disorders, and chronic inflammatory diseases) to validate their biointerfacial regulation performance and disease intervention (radiotherapy) efficacy.

University of Chicago

National University of Singapore

University of Science and Technology of China

Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Zhejiang University

Beijing Normal University

Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

July 2021 – President's Special Award of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2021), Chinese Academy of Sciences.

February 2023 – CAIA Award (First Prize) of the China Association for Instrumental Analysis, China Association for Instrumental Analysis.

June 2021 – Outstanding Graduate of Higher Education Institutions in Anhui Province, awarded by the Department of Education of Anhui Province and the Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Anhui Province.

November 2020 – Oxford Instruments Tomorrow Star Scholarship, awarded by the University of Science and Technology of China and Oxford Instruments (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

April 2023 – Jingbo Science and Technology Award, awarded by the Chinese Chemical Society and Shandong Jingbo Holding Group Co., Ltd.

September 2020 – National Scholarship for Doctoral Students and National Scholarship for Master's Students, awarded by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

July 2020 – Outstanding Member of the Communist Party of China, awarded by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

February 2020 – Selected to attend the 70th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, and included in the talent pool of the Lindau Program of the Sino‑German Science Foundation Research Exchange Center.

June 2019 – Outstanding Member of the Communist Party of China, awarded by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

October 2018 – National Scholarship for Doctoral Students and National Scholarship for Master's Students, awarded by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.