Research Interest
- Design of Novel Biodegradable Polymers and Hydrogels
- Self-assembly and Nano-Structures of Novel Macromolecular Systems
- Applications of Novel Biomaterials for Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering
Research Lab Website : Supramolecular LabÂ
Modules Taught
- BN3301 Introduction to Biomaterials
- BN5201 Advanced Biomaterials
Selected Journal Publications
| 1 | Wang X*, Wang C, Xu Y, Liu H, Jiang J, Li Y, Sun C, Liu Z, Dong Q, Shao Y, Chu C, Xue F, Zhao Y, Li J*, Bai J*, Rational Design of Lamellar Heterostructural Mg/PLLA Composite Membrane Enables Spatiotemporal-sequential Neuro-vascularized Bone Regeneration, Advanced Functional Materials, 2026, 36, 2521167. DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202521167 |
| 2 | Tian X, Wen Y*, Zhang Z, Zhou K, Shang Lu, Zhu J, Song X, Li J*, Smart multifunctional ROS-responsive supramolecular hydrogel for simultaneously regulating oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and bacterial infection in diabetic wound healing, Biomaterials, 2026, 330, 124006. DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2026.124006 |
| 3 | Hu H, Zou J, Zhang C, Li P, Li JN, Tong YW, Li J, He Y*, Enhancing Binding by Electron Transfer at Heterointerfaces of Biochar-Modified Hydrogel to Improve Utilization Efficiency of Wastewater Recovered Nutrients, Advanced Science, 2026, 13, 17709. DOI: 10.1002/advs.202517709 |
| 4 | Wang S, Zhu J*, Xue W, Wen Y*, Zhang Z, Song X, Yu Y, Sun C, Wei H*, Li J*, A Biochar-Based Composite Hydrogel Microenvironment for Enhanced Biocatalysis, Advanced Materials, 2026, 38, 2517616. DOI: 10.1002/adma.202517616 |
| 5 | Hou X, Zhu Z, Wen Y, Zhang Y, Thedrattanawong C, Andreeva DV, Li J, He C*, Melt Densification Enables Fracture-resistant Blend Hydrogels, Advanced Materials, 2026, 38, 2517395. DOI: 10.1002/adma.202517395 |
| 6 | Zeng Q*, Guo Y, Yang A, Li J*, Nanomedicine for Venous Thrombosis: Insights from an Inflammatory Perspective, Biomaterials, 2026, 329, 123910. DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123910 |
| 7 | Pruksawan S*, Ao X, Lam DKF, Chong YT, Yu N, Li J, Wang F*, A Generalizable Geometry-Driven Approach for Programmable Locomotion in Stimuli-Responsive Materials, Materials Today Advances, 2026, 29, 100680. DOI: 10.1016/j.mtadv.2025.100680 |
| 8 | Sun X, Ji Y, Meng Y, Zhang X, Zhu J, Li J, Shuang S, Dong C*, The smartphone-assisted fluorescent and colorimetric dual-mode sensor based on novel graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots for environmental sensing and bioimaging of hypochlorite, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2026, 293, 118155. DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2025.118155 |
| 9 | Sun X, Meng Y, Ji Y, Zhang X, Zhu J, Shuang S, Li J*, and Dong C*, Long-wavelength emission carbon dots as ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric dual-mode sensors for environmental sensing and bioimaging of hypochlorite, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2025, 498, 139719. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139719 |
| 10 | Hu H, Li P, Li J*, Tong YW, He Y*, Recovery of cellulose from biomass waste for 3D printing of slow-release hydrogel scaffolds, Environmental Research, 2025, 285, 122609. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122609 |
| 11 | Soh WWM*, and Li J*, Cyclodextrin-Based Pseudocopolymers and Their Biomedical Applications for Drug and Gene Delivery, Small, 2025, 21, e01304. DOI: 10.1002/smll.202501304 |
| 12 | Tan H, Li X, Li L, Bai X, You J, Zhou Y, Chu S, Huang X, Wu Q, Weng J*, and Li J*, Recent advances in the design of hydrogels: Renaissance of the Hofmeister effect, Progress in Polymer Science, 2025, 166, 101989. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2025.101989 |
| 13 | Tang X, Wen Y*, Zhang Z, Song X, Zhu J, Zheng M, and Li J*, Codelivery of Anti-PD-L1 and Indocyanine Green by a β‑Cyclodextrin-Based Nanogel Carrier System for Cancer-Targeted Photothermal and Immunotherapy, Biomacromolecules, 2025, 26(12), 8345-8357. DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c00489 |
| 14 | Wang F, Ma R, Zhu J, Ma W, Li J*, Tian Y*, Design Principles and Emerging Applications of Starch-Involved Superwettable Systems, Engineering, 2025, 53, 155-175. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.04.022 |
| 15 | Gao L, Zhao Y, Hou X, Wang H, Li J, Chang N*, Investigation of the pore structure and surface properties of polysulfone membrane on the resultant polyamide layer and the performance of the reverse osmosis membrane, Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2025, 173, 106147. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2025.106147 |
| 16 | Miao Y, Huo X, Zhao Y, Liu X, Wang H, Li J, Chang N*, The impact of Span80 single molecule and micelle forms on the structure and performance of polyamide nanofiltration membranes, Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2025, 72, 107440. DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107440 |
| 17 | Soh WWM, Zhu J, Zhang Z, Mazlan MDM, Chin EWM, Cheah CH, Goh ELK*, and Li J*, Supramolecular Polycations with a Linear-Star Architecture Containing Hydrophobic Poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate]: Formation of DNA Micelleplexes Coated with Apolipoprotein E3 for Blood-Brain Barrier Penetrating Gene Delivery, Biomacromolecules, 2025, 26(4), 2157-2170. DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c01412 |
| 18 | Zou H, Zhu J, Yang X, Zeng Z, Huang D*, Li J*, Wang R*, High-Efficiency Atmospheric Water Harvesting and Irrigation Recycling in Greenhouse Using Hygroscopic Composite Gels, Advanced Functional Materials, 2025, 35, 2501163. DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202501163 |
| 19 | Zou H, Wang F, Zeng Z, Zhu J, Sha L, Huang D*, Li J*, Wang R*, Next-Generation Water-Saving Strategies for Greenhouses Using a Nexus Approach with Modern Technologies, Nature Communications, 2025, 16, 2091. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57388-3 |
| 20 | Tian X, Wen Y*, Zhang Z, Zhu J, Song X, Phan TT, Li J*, Recent advances in smart hydrogels derived from polysaccharides and their applications for wound dressing and healing, Biomaterials, 2025, 318, 123134. DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123134 |
| 21 | Thedrattanawong C, Zhang M, Zhang Z, Song X, Zhu J, Tian X, Li J*, and Wen Y*, Synthesis and Characterization of Lipid-Polyzwitterion Diblock Copolymers for Optimizing Micelle Formation to Enhance Anticancer Drug Delivery in 2D and 3D Cell Cultures, Biomacromolecules, 2025, 26, 1032-1043. DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c01370 |
| 22 | Tang X, Wen Y*, Zhang Z, Song X, Zhu J, Tian X, Li J*, A β-cyclodextrin-based supramolecular modular system creating micellar carriers for codelivery of doxorubicin and siRNA for potential combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2025, 352, 123202. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.123202 |
| 23 | Wang X, Sun K, Wang C, Yang M, Qian K, Ye B, Guo X, Shao Y, Chu C, Xue F, Li J*, and Bai J*, Ultrasound-responsive Microfibers Promoted Infected Wound Healing with Neuro-vascularization by Segmented Sonodynamic Therapy and Electrical Stimulation, Biomaterials, 2025, 313, 122803. DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122803 |
| 24 | Song X, Li J*, Polymeric Hydrogels (Book Chapter), in Designing Materials for Medical Devices (Book), World Scientific 2025, 235–266. DOI: 10.1142/9789811295898_0007. |
| 25 | Song X, Wen Y, Li AWL, Zhu J, Koh CY*, Kini RM, Chan MYY, Li J*, PEGylation of New Thrombin Inhibitor Peptide Ultravariegin for Prolonged In Vivo Circulation and Enhanced Antithrombotic Effects, Molecular Pharmaceutics, 2024, 21(12), 6302-6310. DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00769 |
| 26 | Wong K, Tan XH, Li J, Hui J, Goh J*, An in Vitro Macrophage Response Study of Silk Fibroin and Silk Fibroin/Nano-Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration Application. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 2024, 10(11), 7073-7085. DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00976 |
| 27 | Zhang M, Wen Y*, Zhang Z, Song X, Zhu J, Thedrattanawong C, Bai H*, Tang G, Ogata K, Yusa S, Li J*, Long in Vivo Circulating Nanomicelles Formed by Sharp-Contrast Janus Star Polymers Derived from β-Cyclodextrin Grafted with Lipids and Polyzwitterions, Nano Today, 2024, 59, 102511. DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2024.102511 |
| 28 | Hu H, Li P, Tong YW, Li J, He Y*, Reutilization recovered nutrients from wastewater by synthesizing eco-friendly slow-release hydrogel fertilizer for sustainable vegetable production, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024, 499, 155943. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.155943 |
| 29 | Zhu J, Zhang Z, Wen Y, Song X, Tan WK, Ong CN, Li J*, Recent Advances in Superabsorbent Hydrogels Derived from Agro Waste Materials for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2024, 72, 22399-22419. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c04970 |
| 30 | Zou H, Yang X, Zhu J, Wang F, Zeng Z, Xiang C, Huang D*, Li J*, Wang R*, Solar-driven Scalable Hygroscopic Gel for Recycling Water from Passive Plant Transpiration and Soil Evaporation, Nature Water, 2024, 2, 663-673. DOI: 10.1038/s44221-024-00265-y. |
| 31 | Wang X, Wang C, Chu C, Xue F, Li J*, and Bai J*, Structure-function integrated biodegradable Mg/polymer composites: Design, manufacturing, properties, and biomedical applications, Bioactive Materials, 2024, 39, 74-105. DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.05.024 |
| 32 | Chen T, Wen Y*, Song X, Zhang Z, Zhu J, Tian X, Zeng S*, and Li J*, Rationally designed β-cyclodextrin-crosslinked polyacrylamide hydrogels for cell spheroid formation and 3D tumor model construction, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2024, 339, 122253. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122253 |
| 33 | Jia J, Zhu J, Guo L, Yu J, Li J*, Li F*, Synthesis and characterization of a β-cyclodextrin-MOF-based porous hydrogel for efficient adsorption of Au3+, Ag+, and Pb2+ ions, Separation and Purification Technology, 2024, 348, 127664. DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.127664 |
| 34 | Wen Y, Wang J, Zheng W, Zhu J, Song X, Chen T, Zhang M, Huang Z*, and Li J*, A supramolecular colloidal system based on folate-conjugated β-cyclodextrin polymer and indocyanine green for enhanced tumor-targeted cell imaging in 2D culture and 3D tumor spheroids, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2024, 667, 259-268. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.072 |
| 35 | Ooi YJ, Wen Y*, Zhu J, Song X, and Li J*, Codelivery of Doxorubicin and p53 Gene by β‑Cyclodextrin-Based Supramolecular Nanoparticles Formed via Host−Guest Complexation and Electrostatic Interaction, Biomacromolecules, 2024, 25, 2980-2989. |
| 36 | Jia J, Wu D, Yu J, Gao T, Li J*, Guo L*, Li F*, β-Cyclodextrin-based adsorbents integrated with N-doped TiO2 photocatalysts for boosting dye elimination of industrial wastewater, Surfaces and Interfaces, 2024, 45, 103901. DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2024.103901 |
| 37 | Taharabaru T, Kihara T, Obata A, Onoderan R, Wen Y, Li J, Motoyama K, and Higashi T*, Cyclodextrin-based tailored polyrotaxanes for highly efficient delivery of the genome-editing molecule, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2024, 323, 121443. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121443 |
| 38 | Wang F, Ma R, Zhu J, Zhan J, Li J*, and Tian Q*, Physicochemical properties, in vitro digestibility, and pH-dependent release behavior of starch–steviol glycoside composite hydrogels, Food Chemistry, 2024, 434, 137420. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137420 |
| 39 | Zhu J & Li J*, Superabsorbent Hydrogels Derived from Okara as Soil Supplements for Enhancing Vegetable Growth and Production, In: Sustainable Green Chemistry in Polymer Research (Book). Volume 1. Biocatalysis and Biobased Materials, American Chemical Society 2023, Vol. 1450. DOI:10.1021/bk-2023-1450.ch011 |
| 40 | Tan WK, Zhu J, Li J, Ong CN*, Soy, soil and beyond, Soil Ecology Letters, 2023, 5, 230190. DOI: 10.1007/s42832-023-0190-6 |
| 41 | Liu Y, Li J*, Polymer-based temperature sensors: Materials design, synthesis, characterization, and biomedical applications, Functional Materials Letters, 2023, 16, 2340021 (pp.1-13). DOI: 10.1142/S1793604723400210 |
| 42 | Tang X, Wen Y*, Zhang Z, Zhu J, Song X, and Li J*, Rationally designed multifunctional nanoparticles as GSH-responsive anticancer drug delivery systems based on host-guest polymers derived from dextran and β-cyclodextrin, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2023, 320, 121207. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121207 |
| 43 | Zhang Z, Zhu J, Song X, Wen Y, Zhu C, and Li J*, Biomass-based single- and double-network hydrogels derived from cellulose microfiber and chitosan for potential application as plant growing substrate, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2023, 319, 121170. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121170 |
| 44 | Pruksawan S, Chee HL, Wang Z, Lee YL, Sivaraja VK, Ow SY, Li J, and Wang F*, Gold Nanorods Function as Near-Infrared Light-Activated Microheaters for In Situ Curing of Injectable Hydrogel Therapies, ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 2023, 5, 4565-4577. DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.3c00640 |
| 45 | Taharabaru T, Kihara T, Onoderan R, Kogo T, Wen Y, Li J, Motoyama K, and Higashi T*, Versatile delivery platform for nucleic acids, negatively charged protein drugs, and genome-editing ribonucleoproteins using a multi-step transformable polyrotaxane, Materials Today Bio, 2023, 20, 100690. DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100690 |
| 46 | Zheng D, Xu X, Zhu J, Bai B*, Wang Q, Shi W, and Li J*, Humidity capture and solar-driven water collection behaviors of alginate-g-PNIPAm-based hydrogel, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2023, 11(1), 109247. DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.109247 |
| 47 | Zhu C, Zhang Z*, Wen Y, Song X, Zhu J, Yao Y*, and Li J*, Cationic micelles as nanocarriers for enhancing intra-cartilage drug penetration and retention, Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2023, 11, 1670-1683. DOI: 10.1039/D2TB02050E |
| 48 | Zhu J, Tan WK, Song X, Zhang Z, Gao Z, Wen Y, Ong CN, Swarup S, and Li J*, Synthesis and Characterization of Okara-Poly(acrylic acid) Superabsorbent Hydrogels for Enhancing Vegetable Growth through Improving Water Holding and Retention Properties of Soils, ACS Food Science & Technology, 2023, 3, 553-561. DOI: 10.1021/acsfoodscitech.2c00158 |
| 49 | Soh WWM, Zhu J, Song X, Jain D, Yim EKF,* and Li J*, Detachment of bovine corneal endothelial cell sheets by cooling-induced surface hydration of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate]-based thermoresponsive copolymer coating, Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2022, 10, 8407-8418. DOI: 10.1039/D2TB01926D (Journal of Materials Chemistry B HOT Papers) |
| 50 | Zhang M, Zhang Z, Song X, Zhu J, Li J*, and Wen Y*, Synthesis and Characterization of Palmitoyl-block-poly(methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) Polymer Micelles for Anticancer Drug Delivery, Biomacromolecules, 2022, 23, 4586-4596. DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00838 |
| 51 | Zhu J, Suhaimi F, Lim JY, Gao Z, Swarup S, Loh CS, Li J, Ong CN, Tan WK*, A field study on using soybean waste-derived superabsorbent hydrogel to enhance growth of vegetables, Science of the Total Environment, 2022, 851, 158141. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158141 |
| 52 | Soh WWM, Teoh RYP, Zhu J, Xun Y, Wee CY, Ding J, Thian ES, and Li J*, Facile Construction of a Two-in-One Injectable Micelleplex-Loaded Thermogel System for Prolonged Delivery of Plasmid DNA, Biomacromolecules, 2022, 23, 3477-3492. DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00648 |
| 53 | Liu M, Zhu J, Song X, Wen Y, Li J*, Smart Hydrogel Formed by Alginate-g-Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and Chitosan through Polyelectrolyte Complexation and Its Controlled Release Properties, Gels, 2022, 8, 441. DOI: 10.3390/gels8070441 |
| 54 | Higashi T, Motoyama K, Li J, Cyclodextrin‑based catenanes and polycatenanes, Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry, 2022, 102, 569-575. DOI: 10.1007/s10847-022-01143-4 |
| 55 | Meng Y, Zhang Z, Zhao H, Jiao Y, Li J, Shuang S, Dong C*, Facile synthesis of multifunctional carbon dots with 54.4% orange emission for label-free detection of morin and endogenous/exogenous hypochlorite, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2022, 424, 127289. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127289 |
| 56 | Liu X, Yin H, Song X, Zhang Z*, and Li J*, Lignin-Based Nonviral Gene Carriers Functionalized by Poly[2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl Methacrylate]: Effect of Grafting Degree and Cationic Chain Length on Transfection Efficiency, Biomolecules, 2022, 12, 102. DOI: 10.3390/biom12010102 |
| 57 | Hu T, Liu L*, Lam RWM, Toh SY, Abbah SA, Wang M, Kumarsing RA, Bhakoo K, Cool S, Li J, Goh JCH, Wong HK, Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with low dose bone morphogenetic protein 2 enhances scaffold-based spinal fusion in a porcine model, Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 2022, 16, 63-75. DOI: 10.1002/term.3260 |
| 58 | Wen Y, Mensah NN, Song X, Zhu J, Tan WS, Chen X, Li J*, A hydrogel with supramolecular surface functionalization for cancer cell capture and multicellular spheroid growth and release, Chemical Communications, 2022, 58, 681-684. DOI: 10.1039/D1CC05846K |
| 59 | Li H, Peng E, Zhao F, Li J*, Xue JM*, Supramolecular Surface Functionalization of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with α-Cyclodextrin-Based Cationic Star Polymer for Magnetically Enhanced Gene Delivery, Pharmaceutics, 2021, 13(11), 1884. DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111884 |
| 60 | Chen Z, Song X, Soh WWM, Wen Y, Zhu J, Zhang M, Li J*, In Situ Synthesis of Magnetic Poly(DMAEAB-co-NIPAm)@Fe3O4 Composite Hydrogel for Removal of Dye from Water, Gels, 2021, 7(4), 201. DOI: 10.3390/gels7040201 |
| 61 | Song X, Mensah NN, Wen Y, Zhu J, Zhang Z, Tan WS, Chen X, Li J*, β-Cyclodextrin-Polyacrylamide Hydrogel for Removal of Organic Micropollutants from Water, Molecules, 2021, 26, 5031. DOI: 10.3390/molecules26165031 |
| 62 | Zhang Z, Wen Y, Song X, Zhu J, Li J*, Nonviral DNA Delivery System with Supramolecular PEGylation Formed by Host-Guest Pseudo-Block Copolymers, ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2021, 4, 5057-5070. DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c00306 |
| 63 | Tan WK, Zhu J, Lim JY, Gao Z, Loh CS, Li J*, Ong CN, Use of okara-derived hydrogel for enhancing growth of plants by minimizing leaching and locking nutrients and water in growing substrate, Ecological Engineering, 2021, 159, 106122. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2020.106122 |