Professor, Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada


Office: QNC 5604 

Phone: 519-888-4567 Ext. 38919

Email: liujw@uwaterloo.ca

Labs: QNC 5506, 5508

Education:

Ph.D. Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL (2000-2005)

B.S. Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China (1996-2000)


Research description

We apply fundamental principles of chemistry, physics, and biology to produce new biopolymers, nanoscale materials, devices, and systems to understand basic sciences, advance technology, and impact medicine. In particular, we are interested in using DNA and lipids as functional polymers and building blocks to interface with metal ions, metal nanoparticles, nanoclusters, carbon-based materials and hydrogels. Students will be trained on a wide range of synthetic, analytical, physical and biochemical techniques. We are currently interested in the following several research topics:

1. DNA aptamers and DNAzymes

2. Inorganic nanoparticles as enzyme mimics (nanozymes)

3. DNA and liposome adsorption on nanomaterials

4. Biosensors and drug delivery


Team value statement: be curious, work together, respect each other and have fun!