Zhuo Fan
M.S. in Chemistry | Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University
Zhuo was born and raised in central Anhui Province, China. He earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Lanzhou University in 2022, where he conducted research under Prof. Jianguo Fang, focusing on the design and synthesis of novel organic fluorescent probes.
Fascinated by the unique chemical properties of photoexcited organic molecules, Zhuo pursued an M.S. in Chemistry at Beijing Normal University, under the guidance of Prof. Qing-Zheng Yang. His current research centres on developing novel Type-I photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Throughout his master’s studies, he expanded his expertise in supramolecular assembly, nanomaterials, photoredox catalysis and polymerization materials.
Looking ahead, Zhuo is eager to explore diverse research areas, striving to discover more of the exciting realm of chemistry.
Reasearch Interests:
Photochemistry | Photoredox Catalysis | Nanomaterials | Chemical Biology | Polymer Chemistry | Supramolecular Chemistry | Photosensitizer | Biomedicine & Health
Education
Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University (Sep. 2022 – Present)
- Master of Science in Chemistry (Expected Graduation: Jun. 2025), GPA: 3.69/4.0
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University (Sep. 2018 – Jul. 2022)
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, GPA: 3.77/4.0
Publication (* denotes corresponding authorship)
- Zhuo Fan, Kun-Xu Teng*, Yuan-Yuan Xu, Li-Ya Niu and Qing-Zheng Yang*, The Photodynamic Agent Designed by Involvement of Hydrogen Atom Transfer for Enhancing Photodynamic Therapy, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, e202413595.(Hot Paper)
- Baoxin Zhang, Zhuo Fan, Chenxin Yu, Zhe Liu, Yongwen Shen, Xinping Hui, Jianguo Fang*. Labeling and Determination of Total Sulfhydryl Content in Protein. University Chemistry, 2022, 37, 2111072.
Research Experience
A Design Strategy for Type-I Photosensitizers Involving Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT)
Advisor: Prof. Qing-Zheng Yang
Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University
- A HAT-involved Type-I photosensitizer was synthesized which simultaneously generates superoxide and carbon-centered radicals under light irradiation
- The synthesized photosensitizer efficiently oxidizes NADH via deprotonation, exhibiting significant cell photocytotoxicity even under hypoxic conditions
- This work may inspire the development of novel Type-I photosensitizers employing the HAT mechanism. The manuscript has been accepted by Angewandte Chemie.
Photoinduced Charge Transfer in Mechanically Interlocked Structures of Pillar[5]arenes
Advisor: Prof. Qing-Zheng Yang
Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University
- Synthesis of rotaxane compounds using pillar[5]arene as the host and amino-terminated aliphatic chain BODIPY as the guest
- The mechanically interlocked structure was confirmed through crystal structure analysis, and PET process will be investigated using fs-TAS
Synthesis and Properties of Heavy-Atom-Free BODIPY Photosensitizers Based on a D-A Structure
Advisor: Prof. Qing-Zheng Yang and Prof. Jianguo Fang
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University
- D-A molecules based on a BODIPY core were constructed to enhance the efficiency of ROS generation in photosensitizers by promoting photoinduced electron transfer (PET)
- D-A molecules were assembled into nanoparticles using the surfactant F127, and the photosensitizer was able to generate O2−• via PET
- This undergraduate thesis gave me a basic understanding of the photophysical and photochemical processes of organic molecules and was selected as an Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis
Labeling and Determination of Total Sulfhydryl Content in Protein
Advisor: Prof. Jianguo Fang and Assoc. Prof. Baoxin Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University
- This experiment utilizes the reaction between the Naph-EA-Mal probe and thiol groups to label bovine serum albumin (BSA) and achieve fluorescence imaging of living cells
- The Naph-EA-Mal fluorescent probe enables in situ detection and fluorescent labeling of intracellular thiol groups, and this experimental method has been published in University Chemistry
Technical Skills
- Chemistry: Organic Synthesis; Photophysical Properties Characterization and Analysis; SEM and DLS characterization of nanoparticles; Cyclic voltammetry measurement; ESR analysis of radical species; Growth and characterization of organic molecule crystals; Synthesis of linear polymers
- Biology: Cell culture; Live cell imaging; Determining Cell Vitality; Detection of ROS oxidative stress in cells; Analysis of cell death pathway
Teaching and Mentoring
Teaching Assistant
- Photochemistry, graduate Course (CHE21213801), Beijing Normal University (Oct. 2023 – Nov. 2023)
- The Charm of Organic Chemistry, Undergraduate Course (GE410086401-01), Beijing Normal University (Feb. 2022 – Jun. 2022)
Research Mentor
Guided five undergraduate students in the Yang Lab, assisting with research training and supervising thesis projects
Honors and Awards
- First Prize in National Chemistry Experiment Innovation and Design Competition | Lanzhou University (university-wide, among > 100 anticipants) (Aug. 2021)
- Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis | Lanzhou University (Jun. 2022)
- First-Class Scholarship for New Graduate Students | Beijing Normal University (Jan. 2023)
The First-Class Academic Scholarship| Beijing Normal University (Nov. 2024)
Extracurricular Activities
Joined the 2nd Photochemistry Summer School of the Chinese Society for Imaging Science and Technology (CSIST), Beijing, China (July. 2023)