Xiangzhao Ai

  • Tel: +86-021
  • Email: xzai@sjtu.edu.cn
  • Address: School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China
  • Our research aims to creat innovative biomimetic nanoplatforms via cloaking synthetic nanoparticles with cellular membranes for their biomedical applications as nanodrugs and nanovaccines.

Education and Research Experience

Education & Work Experiences:

  • 2021 - Present   Assoc. Prof., School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), China
  • 2019 - 2021     Postdoc., Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego (UCSD), USA （Mentor: Prof. Liangfang Zhang）
  • 2018 - 2019     Postdoc., School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore （Mentor: Prof. Bengang Xing）
  • 2013 - 2018     Ph. D., School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore （Mentor: Prof. Bengang Xing）
  • 2010 - 2013     M. S., Department of Chemistry, Jilin University (JLU), China
  • 2006 - 2010     B. S., Department of Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology (DLUT), China

Research Interests

Biomimetic Nanoplatforms

We are interested in creating innovative biomimetic nanoplatforms via cloaking synthetic nanoparticles with cellular membranes extracted directly from natural cells. These nanoplatforms act as the next generation of nanoagents for the targeted drug delivery and personalized anti-tumor vaccines. 

Selected Publications

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    T. Han, W. Zhu, R. Xu, S. T. Chiang, X. Jin, X. Shen, C. Qian, G. Yang*, R. Li*, X. Ai*. Glycan-Modified Cellular Nanosponges for Enhanced Treatment of Cholera Toxin-Induced Secretory Diarrhea. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2025, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c00955, online (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jacs.5c00955).

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    S.T. Chiang, Q. Chen, T. Han, C. Qian, X. Shen, Y. Lin, R. Xu, Z. Cao, C. Zhou, H. Lu*, R. Li*, X. Ai*. Biomimetic Nanovesicles Synergize with Short-Term Fasting for Enhanced Chemotherapy of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. ACS Nano, 18 (50), 33875-33889 (2024).

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    X. Ai, D. Wang, I. Noh, Y. Duan, Z. Zhou, N. Mukundan, R. H. Fang, W. Gao*, L. Zhang*. Glycan-Modified Cellular Nanosponges for Enhanced Neutralization of Botulinum Toxin. Biomaterials, 302, 122330 (2023).

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    X. Ai, D. Wang, A. Honko, Y. Duan, I. Gavrish, R. H. Fang, A. Griffiths, W. Gao*, L. Zhang*. Surface Glycan Modification of Cellular Nanosponges to Promote SARS-CoV-2 Inhibition. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 143 (42), 17615-17621 (2021).

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    X. Ai, Z. Wang, H. Cheong, Y. Wang, R. Zhang, J. Lin, Y. Zheng, M. Gao*, B. Xing*. Multispectral Optoacoustic Imaging of Dynamic Redox Correlation and Pathophysiological Progression Utilizing Upconversion Nanoprobes. Nat. Commun., 10, 1087 (2019).

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    X. Ai, C. J. H. Ho, J. Aw, A. B. E. Attia, J. Mu, Y. Wang, X. Wang, Y. Wang, X. Liu, H. Chen, M. Gao, X. Chen, E. K.L. Yeow, G. Liu,* M. Olivo,* B. Xing*. In Vivo Covalent Cross-Linking of Photon-Converted Rare-Earth Nanostructures for Tumour Localization and Theranostics. Nat. Commun., 7, 10432 (2016).

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    X. Ai, L. Lyu, Y. Zhang, Y. Tang, J. Mu, F. Liu, Y. Zhou, Z. Zuo, G. Liu,* B. Xing*. Remote Regulation of Membrane Channel Activity by Site-Specific Localization of Lanthanide-Doped Upconversion Nanocrystals. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 56, 3031-3035 (2017).

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    X. Ai, Y. Duan, Q. Zhang, D. Sun, R. H. Fang, R. Liu-Bryan, W. Gao,* L. Zhang*. Cartilage-Targeting Ultra-Small Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles for the Prevention of Cartilage Degradation. Bioeng. Transl. Med., e10187 (2020).

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    X. He, J. Wang, Y. Tang, S. T. Chiang, T. Han, Q. Chen, C. Qian, X. Shen, R. Li*, X. Ai*. Recent Advances of Emerging Spleen-Targeting Nanovaccines for Immunotherapy. Adv. Healthc. Mater., e2300351 (2023).

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    X. Ai, J. Mu, B. Xing*. Recent Advances of Light-Mediated Theranostics. Theranostics, 6, 2439-2457 (2016).

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Academic Rewards

  • Sep. 22nd, 2016  Finalist of the 2016 Reaxys PhD Prize, London, United Kingdom, Elsevier.
  • Apr. 16th, 2017  Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad, Singapore.
  • Nov. 18th, 2017  Best Poster Award in the 2nd International Biophotonics Conference, Singapore.
  • Dec. 14th, 2014  Best Poster Award in the 8th International Chemistry Conference, Singapore.