Yun Liu

Dr Yun Liu

ARC Grant-Funded Researcher (B)

School of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering and Information Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Yun Liu, a DECRA Fellow (2023-2025) at the School of Chemical Engineering,  Adelaide University (AU), is a rising star in the biomedical engineering and drug delivery sectors. She completed her PhD at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at the University of Queensland (UQ) in April 2020 under the supervision of Prof. Chun-Xia Zhao (NHMRC Leadership Fellow) and Prof. Anton Middelberg (Former Federation Fellow, Queensland’s Smart Futures Premier’s Fellow). Her impressive career has been marked by groundbreaking advancements in the development of multifunctional nanomaterials with customizable drug loading and regulated release capabilities. One of Dr. Liu's significant achievements is the co-invention of a unique sequential nanoprecipitation technology. This innovative method, for crafting drug-core polymer-shell nanoparticles (NPs), is patented and has been licensed to a company. Inspired by this, Dr. Liu co-invented another breakthrough technology, a simple yet efficient salt-induced nanoprecipitation platform. This platform creates NPs with an extraordinarily high drug loading capacity of up to 66.5%, using salt-induced liquid-liquid phase separation and nanoprecipitation. Dr. Liu has also pioneered a microfluidic technique to produce extensive libraries of nanomaterials with systematically varied properties. Moreover, she has utilized microfluidic tumour-on-a-chip models to assess nanoparticles for their viability in drug delivery applications. She has published 45 papers—including 16 as first or corresponding author—in prestigious journals such as PNAS, Angewandte Chemie, etc. Her work has attracted over 3,300 citations (H-index 25). Dr Liu is the key inventor on 4 patents (one licensed) and currently leads a research team at the School of Chemical Engineering, supervising six PhD students working in the drug delivery field in Prof. Chun-Xia Zhao’s group at the AU.

Year Citation
2026 Wang, X., Xu, L., Lan, Z., Hui, Y., Liu, Y., Yang, G., & Zhao, C. X. (2026). Advances in the Development of Lipid Nanoparticles for mRNA Delivery. Small Structures, 7(2), 37 pages.
DOI
2025 Guo, Z., Li, Y., Xu, L., Wang, J., Lyu, J., Yang, G., . . . Zhao, C. -X. (2025). Design and optimization of bifunctional peptides for controlled core–shell nanocapsule formation. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 686, 599-612.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC1
2025 Jin, S., Li, X., Yang, G., Zhang, Z., Shi, J. Q., Liu, Y., & Zhao, C. -X. (2025). Active Learning-Based Prediction of Drug Combination Efficacy. ACS Nano, 19(18), 17929-17940.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC3
2025 Zewail, M. B., Yang, G., Fan, Y., Hui, Y., Zhao, C., & Liu, Y. (2025). Cell Membrane‐Coated Lipid Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery. Aggregate, 6(7), e70054-1-e70054-45.
DOI Scopus18 WoS15
2025 Xu, L., Chen, R., Wang, X., Liu, D., Liu, Y., & Zhao, C. -X. (2025). DNA Barcoding-Enabled Tracking of Lipid Nanoparticles: Drug-Loading-Dependent Biodistribution and Tumor Microenvironment Targeting. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 14(24), 2501914-1-2501914-14.
DOI Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC3
2025 Zhang, Y., Hui, Y., Guo, Z., Liu, D., Liu, Y., Gao, H., & Zhao, C. -X. (2025). Impact of Nanoparticle Stiffness on Endosomal Escape and Signaling Pathways in Cytosolic Delivery. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 14(28), 2501706-1-2501706-15.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3
2025 Yang, G., Liu, Y., Devkota, S. R., Hui, Y., Zhao, R., Li, Y., . . . Zhao, C. (2025). A Sustainable Biotechnology Approach for Mineral Separation. Advanced Functional Materials, 35(50), e04992-1-e04992-16.
DOI
2025 Zhang, F., Liu, Y., Wang, J., Zhang, H., Yu, W., Sang, Y., . . . Wang, X. (2025). An automated microfluidic biosensor with bispecific rabbit monoclonal antibody and nanozyme-bioenzyme composite for dual antibiotic detection. Bmemat, 15 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2024 Jin, S., Lan, Z., Yang, G., Li, X., Shi, J. Q., Liu, Y., & Zhao, C. (2024). Computationally guided design and synthesis of dual‐drug loaded polymeric nanoparticles for combination therapy. Aggregate, 5(5), e606-1-e606-10.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12
2024 Hui, Y., Liu, Y., Yang, G., Weng, Y., Hou, F., Wang, X., . . . Zhao, C. -X. (2024). Critical Role of Nanomaterial Mechanical Properties in Drug Delivery, Nanovaccines and Beyond. Advanced Materials, 37(7), 2413779-1-2413779-37.
DOI Scopus17 WoS17 Europe PMC12
2023 Yang, G., Liu, Y., Jin, S., Hui, Y., Wang, X., Xu, L., . . . Zhao, C. (2023). Phase separation‐induced nanoprecipitation for making polymer nanoparticles with high drug loading. Aggregate, 4(2), e314-1-e314-9.
DOI Scopus32 WoS30
2023 Weng, Y., Wan, A., Li, Y., Liu, Y., Chen, X., Song, H., & Zhao, C. -X. (2023). Scalable manufacturing of enzyme loaded alginate particles with excellent thermal and storage stability for industrial applications. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 667, 10 pages.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8
2023 Cameron, A. P., Gao, S., Liu, Y., & Zhao, C. -X. (2023). Impact of hydrogel biophysical properties on tumor spheroid growth and drug response. Biomaterials Advances, 149, 213421-1-213421-12.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC7
2023 Xu, L., Wang, X., Yang, G., Zhao, Z., Weng, Y., Li, Y., . . . Zhao, C. -X. (2023). Development of a concentration-controlled sequential nanoprecipitation for making lipid nanoparticles with high drug loading. Aggregate, 4(6), e369-1-e369-14.
DOI Scopus20 WoS18
2022 Cameron, A. P., Zeng, B., Liu, Y., Wang, H., Soheilmoghaddam, M., Cooper-White, J., & Zhao, C. -X. (2022). Biophysical properties of hydrogels for mimicking tumor extracellular matrix. Biomaterials Advances, 136, 1-12.
DOI Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC13
2022 Liu, Y., Yang, G., Hui, Y., Ranaweera, S., & Zhao, C. -X. (2022). Microfluidic Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery. Small, 18(36), 33 pages.
DOI Scopus258 WoS225 Europe PMC114
2022 Tengjisi., Liu, Y., Zou, D., Yang, G., & Zhao, C. (2022). Bioinspired core-shell silica nanoparticles monitoring extra- and intra-cellular drug release. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 624, 242-250.
DOI Scopus8 WoS10 Europe PMC9
2022 Zou, D., Wu, Z., Yi, X., Hui, Y., Yang, G., Liu, Y., . . . Zhao, C. -X. (2022). Nanoparticle elasticity regulates the formation of cell membrane-coated nanoparticles and their nano-bio interactions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), 120(1), 1-12.
DOI Scopus72 WoS74 Europe PMC56
2022 Xu, L., Wang, X., Liu, Y., Yang, G., Falconer, R. J., & Zhao, C. -X. (2022). Lipid Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery. Advanced NanoBiomed Research, 2(2), 1-17.
DOI Scopus444 WoS374
2021 Yang, G., Liu, Y., Hui, Y., Tengjisi., Chen, D., Weitz, D. A., & Zhao, C. (2021). Implications of Quenching‐to‐Dequenching Switch in Quantitative Cell Uptake and Biodistribution of Dye‐Labeled Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie, 133(28), 15554-15563.
DOI
2021 Yang, G., Liu, Y., Hui, Y., Tengjisi., Chen, D., Weitz, D. A., & Zhao, C. (2021). Inside Cover: Implications of Quenching‐to‐Dequenching Switch in Quantitative Cell Uptake and Biodistribution of Dye‐Labeled Nanoparticles (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 28/2021). Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 60(28), 15114.
DOI
2021 Yang, G., Liu, Y., Teng, J., & Zhao, C. X. (2021). FRET ratiometric nanoprobes for nanoparticle monitoring. Biosensors, 11(12), 505-1-505-24.
DOI Scopus37 WoS33 Europe PMC21
2021 Yang, G., Liu, Y., & Zhao, C. X. (2021). Quantitative comparison of different fluorescent dye-loaded nanoparticles. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 206, 111923-1-111923-9.
DOI Scopus10 WoS12 Europe PMC8
2021 Yang, G., Liu, Y., Hui, Y., Tengjisi., Chen, D., Weitz, D. A., & Zhao, C. X. (2021). Implications of Quenching-to-Dequenching Switch in Quantitative Cell Uptake and Biodistribution of Dye-Labeled Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 60(28), 15426-15435.
DOI Scopus20 WoS19
2021 Baby, T., Liu, Y., Yang, G., Chen, D., & Zhao, C. X. (2021). Microfluidic synthesis of curcumin loaded polymer nanoparticles with tunable drug loading and pH-triggered release. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 594, 474-484.
DOI Scopus70 WoS63 Europe PMC33
2021 Yang, M., Gao, Y., Liu, Y., Yang, G., Zhao, C. X., & Wu, K. J. (2021). Integration of microfluidic systems with external fields for multiphase process intensification. Chemical Engineering Science, 234, 116450-1-116450-26.
DOI Scopus30 WoS26
2021 Wang, H. F., Liu, Y., Yang, G., & Zhao, C. X. (2021). Macrophage-mediated cancer drug delivery. Materials Today Sustainability, 11-12, 100055-1-100055-6.
DOI Scopus28 WoS26
2021 Li, W., Chen, Q., Baby, T., Jin, S., Liu, Y., Yang, G., & Zhao, C. X. (2021). Insight into drug encapsulation in polymeric nanoparticles using microfluidic nanoprecipitation. Chemical Engineering Science, 235, 116468-1-116468-8.
DOI Scopus38 WoS35
2021 Tengjisi., Hui, Y., Yang, G., Fu, C., Liu, Y., & Zhao, C. X. (2021). Biomimetic core–shell silica nanoparticles using a dual-functional peptide. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 581(A), 185-194.
DOI Scopus25 WoS17 Europe PMC11
2021 Yang, G., Liu, Y., Hui, Y., Tengjisi., Chen, D., Weitz, D. A., & Zhao, C. (2021). Innentitelbild: Implications of Quenching‐to‐Dequenching Switch in Quantitative Cell Uptake and Biodistribution of Dye‐Labeled Nanoparticles (Angew. Chem. 28/2021). Angewandte Chemie, 133(28), 15242.
DOI
2020 Han, F. Y., Liu, Y., Kumar, V., Xu, W., Yang, G., Zhao, C. X., . . . Smith, M. T. (2020). Sustained-release ketamine-loaded nanoparticles fabricated by sequential nanoprecipitation. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 581, 119291-1-119291-7.
DOI Scopus46 WoS43 Europe PMC27
2020 Yang, G., Liu, Y., Jin, S., & Zhao, C. X. (2020). Development of core-shell nanoparticle drug delivery systems based on biomimetic mineralization. ChemBioChem, 21(20), 2871-2879.
DOI Scopus36 WoS30 Europe PMC16
2020 Zou, D., Yu, L., Sun, Q., Hui, Y., Tengjisi., Liu, Y., . . . Zhao, C. X. (2020). A general approach for biomimetic mineralization of MOF particles using biomolecules. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 193, 1-9.
DOI Scopus48 WoS45 Europe PMC25
2020 Liu, Y., Yang, G., Baby, T., Tengjisi., Chen, D., Weitz, D. A., & Zhao, C. X. (2020). Stable Polymer Nanoparticles with Exceptionally High Drug Loading by Sequential Nanoprecipitation. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 59(12), 4720-4728.
DOI Scopus141 WoS153
2020 Liu, Y., Yang, G., Jin, S., Zhang, R., Chen, P., Tengjisi., . . . Zhao, C. X. (2020). J-Aggregate-Based FRET Monitoring of Drug Release from Polymer Nanoparticles with High Drug Loading. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 59(45), 20065-20074.
DOI Scopus58 WoS57 Europe PMC34
2020 Liu, Y., Yang, G., Jin, S., Xu, L., & Zhao, C. X. (2020). Development of high-drug-loading nanoparticles. ChemPlusChem, 85(9), 2143-2157.
DOI Scopus353 WoS317 Europe PMC194
2020 Wang, H. F., Liu, Y., Wang, T., Yang, G., Zeng, B., & Zhao, C. X. (2020). Tumor-microenvironment-on-a-chip for evaluating nanoparticle-loaded macrophages for drug delivery. ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering, 6(9), 5040-5050.
DOI Scopus43 WoS41 Europe PMC28
2020 Liu, Y., Yang, G., Zou, D., Hui, Y., Nigam, K., Middelberg, A. P. J., & Zhao, C. X. (2020). Formulation of nanoparticles using mixing-induced nanoprecipitation for drug delivery. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 59(9), 4134-4149.
DOI Scopus183 WoS156
2020 Liu, Y., Yang, G., Baby, T., Tengjisi., Chen, D., Weitz, D. A., & Zhao, C. (2020). Stable Polymer Nanoparticles with Exceptionally High Drug Loading by Sequential Nanoprecipitation. Angewandte Chemie, 132(12), 4750-4758.
DOI
2019 Yang, G., Liu, Y., Wang, H., Wilson, R., Hui, Y., Yu, L., . . . Zhao, C. X. (2019). Bioinspired core-shell nanoparticles for hydrophobic drug delivery. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 58(40), 14357-14364.
DOI Scopus117 WoS110 Europe PMC65
2019 Ran, R., Wang, H. F., Hou, F., Liu, Y., Hui, Y., Petrovsky, N., . . . Zhao, C. X. (2019). A microfluidic tumor-on-a-chip for assessing multifunctional liposomes' tumor targeting and anticancer efficacy. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 8(8), 1-10.
DOI Scopus63 WoS59 Europe PMC43
2018 Hui, Y., Wibowo, D., Liu, Y., Ran, R., Wang, H., Seth, A., . . . Zhao, C. (2018). Understanding the effects of nanocapsular mechanical property on passive and active tumor targeting. ACS Nano, 12(3), 2846-2857.
DOI Scopus165 WoS154 Europe PMC108
2018 Liu, Y., Hui, Y., Ran, R., Yang, G. Z., Wibowo, D., Wang, H. F., . . . Zhao, C. X. (2018). Synergetic combinations of dual-targeting ligands for enhanced in vitro and in vivo tumor targeting. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 7(15), 1800106-1-1800106-11.
DOI Scopus61 WoS56 Europe PMC36
2018 Ran, R., Wang, H., Liu, Y., Hui, Y., Sun, Q., Seth, A., . . . Zhao, C. X. (2018). Microfluidic self-assembly of a combinatorial library of single- and dual-ligand liposomes for in vitro and in vivo tumor targeting. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 130, 1-10.
DOI Scopus68 WoS63 Europe PMC40
2018 Wang, H. F., Ran, R., Liu, Y., Hui, Y., Zeng, B., Chen, D., . . . Zhao, C. X. (2018). Tumor-Vasculature-on-a-Chip for Investigating Nanoparticle Extravasation and Tumor Accumulation. ACS Nano, 12(11), 11600-11609.
DOI Scopus141 WoS136 Europe PMC106
2017 Baby, T., Liu, Y., Middelberg, A., & Zhao, C. (2017). Fundamental studies on throughput capacities of hydrodynamic flow-focusing microfluidics for producing monodisperse polymer nanoparticles. Chemical Engineering Science, 169, 128-139.
DOI Scopus95 WoS85

Year Citation
- Liu, Y. (n.d.). Polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery.

Australia Research Council - Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (ARC DECRA): Bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release – Develop new nanotechnology strategies for advanced manufacturing. 2023-2025. Funding awarded: $444,318

2024 Small Equipment Grant: AUD 15,000 for the purchase of “Upgrading from the Invitrogen iBright CL1500 Imaging System to the advanced iBright FL1500 Imaging System (ThermoFisher)”

2023 Australian Synchrotron Grant: AUD 32,784. Project Title: Probing Biointeractions within Core-Shell Nanoparticles between Nanocarriers and Encapsulated Drugs while Exploring the Drug Loading Effects on Nanostructured Carrier Morphology for Enhanced Anticancer Therapy 

2024 Teacher 4420_BIOPRENG_7109, Advanced Engineering of Biomaterials
2024 Teaching Assistant 4420_CHEM_ENG_4054, Research Project
2022 Teacher 4220_CHEM_ENG_7062, Downstream Bioprocessing

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2024 Co-Supervisor Development of anti-swelling hydrogels for next-generation soft electronics Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Geng Yang
2024 Co-Supervisor Development of anti-swelling hydrogels for next-generation soft electronics - Doctorate Full Time Mr Geng Yang
2023 Co-Supervisor Development of bio-inspired cell membrane-coated (BCM) lipid nanoparticles (NPs) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Moataz Badawy Ali Saper Zewail
2023 Principal Supervisor Development of chemo-immuno nanomedicines for targeted oral drug delivery Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yilong Fan
2023 Principal Supervisor Development of chemo-immuno nanomedicines for targeted oral drug delivery - Doctorate Full Time Mr Yilong Fan
2023 Co-Supervisor Development of bio-inspired cell membrane-coated (BCM) lipid nanoparticles (NPs) - Doctorate Full Time Mr Moataz Badawy Ali Saper Zewail
2022 Co-Supervisor Nanoparticle-based combination therapy for triple-negative breast cancer treatment Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Song Jin
2022 Co-Supervisor Nanoparticle-based combination therapy for triple-negative breast cancer treatment - Doctorate Full Time Ms Song Jin

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2021 - 2025 Co-Supervisor Engineering and Evaluation of Lipid-Based Nanoparticles for mRNA Delivery Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Xing Wang

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