Peptide+ RNA/LNP Microfluidics
DRUG DELIVERY ENGINEERING LABORATORY
For precision delivery of RNA, therapeutics and bioactive molecules.
Led by Lei Zhang, PhD · Professor & Principal Investigator
A research framework connecting molecular programming, carrier engineering and precision formulation.
Program molecules. Engineer carriers. Control formulation and manufacture.Recognition, Assembly & Targeting
RNA & Precision Delivery
Structural Control, Precision Formulation & Manufacturing
01 / RESEARCH
From molecular programming to carrier engineering and microfluidic formulation, we develop delivery systems across multiple length scales.
We design peptide and lipopeptide building blocks, control their programmed assembly, and develop the resulting structures as delivery carriers for drugs, nucleic acids and bioactive molecules.
We develop lipid- and peptide-enabled delivery systems for mRNA, siRNA and small-molecule therapeutics, with emphasis on carrier architecture, targeting and biological performance.
We use microfluidic flow, interfacial effects and oscillatory shear to reprogram delivery-carrier architecture, control spatial organization and hierarchical loading, and enable reproducible, scalable manufacturing.
02 / PEOPLE
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Professor
Drug delivery engineer working at the interface of peptide programming, carrier engineering and microfluidic formulation.
Lei Zhang received his bachelor's and PhD degrees from Nanjing Tech University. During his doctoral studies, he spent four years as a jointly trained doctoral researcher at the University of Waterloo, and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Waterloo and McMaster University. He has more than ten years of study and professional experience in Canada.
The group pursues interdisciplinary research across bioengineering, pharmaceutics and food science under the theme of “Peptide+”. Research spans peptide and lipopeptide design and assembly, microfluidic delivery systems, mRNA/siRNA and drug delivery, and the delivery of functional-food and bioactive components.
He has published more than 60 SCI-indexed papers, including 38 as corresponding author; a representative study has been accepted by Nature Biomedical Engineering. He has filed 19 international and Chinese invention-patent applications, including 6 granted patents. His academic service includes editorial roles across drug delivery, biomaterials and food biotechnology journals.
Our current students bring together backgrounds in pharmacy, food science and engineering, biology and medicine, and bioengineering.
Pharmacy
Food Science and Engineering
Biology and Medicine
Food Science and Engineering
Biology and Medicine
Bioengineering
03 / PUBLICATIONS
Representative work spanning peptide programming, carrier engineering, RNA/LNP delivery and microfluidic engineering.
Co-corresponding authorRNA/LNP · MICROFLUIDICS · VACCINE DELIVERY
First & corresponding authorPEPTIDE PROGRAMMING · MOLECULAR ASSEMBLY
First & corresponding authorPEPTIDE PROGRAMMING · DRUG DELIVERY
Corresponding authorCARRIER ENGINEERING · TARGETED DELIVERY
First & corresponding authorCARRIER ENGINEERING · BIOACTIVE DELIVERY
First & corresponding authorPEPTIDE PROGRAMMING · BIOACTIVE DELIVERYReview
04 / LAB NEWS
Our bilingual lab website is taking shape as a home for research, people, publications and opportunities.
Students and collaborators from diverse scientific backgrounds are welcome.
View opportunities →We value curiosity, careful experimentation and the courage to cross disciplinary boundaries.
Peptide engineering; RNA and lipid nanoparticle delivery; microfluidic formulation and structural reprogramming.
Project design, formulation engineering, quantitative characterization, scientific writing and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Bioengineering, pharmaceutics, food science, chemistry, materials science and related fields.
How to apply Send your CV, transcripts and a short research statement to L78zhang@uwaterloo.ca
05 / LOCATION
Zhang Lab is based at Innovation Valley, Nanjing Normal University, within the research environment of the Jiangsu Basic Research Center for Synthetic Biology, the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, and the School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering.
