Chemistry and Materials Science Talk

Abstract

Title: Pro-Regenerative Biomaterials: Advancing Tissue Repair and Healing

Date:  20th March 2026 Time:  14:00 pm - 15:00 pm

Location: SD120 Tencent Meeting ID: 844-7367-2087

Details

Current synthetic biodegradable polymers used for implantable scaffolds primarily provide mechanical support but lack the essential bioactivity needed for effective tissue repair and regeneration. My research focuses on designing pro-regenerative polymeric biomaterials that actively engage the body’s natural healing processes. These materials are designed to modulate cellular behavior, reduce inflammation, and deliver therapeutics to promote tissue regeneration. In this talk, I will present my work on developing pro-regenerative biomaterials for therapeutic delivery to enhance diabetic wound healing. I will also discuss their application in modulating cell behavior and delivering cell-based therapies for the treatment of diabetic vascular disease. Additionally, I will highlight the development of advanced in vitro and ex vivo skin models for drug screening and biomaterial evaluation. Through this research, I aim to bridge the gap between material science and clinical applications, offering innovative strategies to address pressing medical challenges and improve patient outcomes.

Speaker

Dr Huifeng Wang is currently an Assistant Professor in Department of Chemistry and Materials Science at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in Suzhou, China. Before she joined XJTLU, she was a postodoctoral associate in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. She received her master's degree in Polymer Science in 2014 from the University of Akron and doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering in 2019 from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research experience includes developing zwitterionic polymers to address implant-associated complications, such as foreign body responses and bacterial infections. Her research efforts have resulted in 30 peer-reviewed publications, including 12 first-author papers in journals including Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials and Advanced Healthcare Materials.

She is interested in understanding how biomaterials modulate cellular behaviors and developing innovative biomaterials to promote tissue regeneration, with a specific emphasis on skin, vascular and musculoskeletal regeneration. She is passionate about teaching, educating, and training the next generation of workforce in regenerative engineering.