Xiaohui Zhang

Adjunct Professor of Chemical Engineering

My broad research interests are in the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging and image processing to answering important clinical and clinical research questions broadly in neuroscience and neurology. Specifically I am interested in early detection as well as understanding the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. multiple sclerosis and Frontotemporal dementia and developing imaging biomarkers that can enable early detection of these debilitating conditions. I am also studying how the healthy brain especially deep subcortical structures ages (spanning pediatric to end-of-life).

Current Research:

We are actively pursuing three research areas: 

1. How Do Biopolymers Sense Physiological and Pathological Flow Patterns? We aim to understand how large blood-clotting proteins, particularly von Willebrand Factor (VWF), change their conformation under shear flow to regulate coagulation. By utilizing single-molecule force spectroscopy, microfluidics, and molecular simulations, we elucidate how specific VWF domains unfold and expose critical binding sites for platelets and proteases, thereby enabling precise control over clot formation. Recently, our discoveries on “flow-switchable” VWF domains have inspired the development of targeted, responsive biomaterials (e.g., hydrogels or single-molecule scaffolds) that activate only under specific flow conditions. These materials embody the principle of “the right drug to the right place,” with potential applications in anti-thrombotic therapies.
2. Cellular Mechanosensing and Tissue Damage Repair: We investigate how cells, particularly platelets and endothelial cells, sense and respond to mechanical forces within the vascular system. Combining live-cell imaging, atomic force microscopy, and microfluidics, we uncover mechanotransduction pathways that trigger clot formation or promote endothelial repair. Ongoing projects focus on designing functional biomaterials, such as endothelial glycocalyx-mimicking hydrogels, to restore vascular function or deliver anti-inflammatory agents directly to injured sites. Translational research in this area targets conditions like atherosclerosis, sepsis, or chronic inflammation, ultimately aiming to develop next-generation drug delivery systems and tissue repair strategies.
3. Receptor-Mediated Virus–Host Cell Interaction: We study how viruses (e.g., Ebola and SARS-CoV-2) attach to and enter host cells by quantifying binding forces and kinetics at the virion–cell interface using single-virus force spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Discoveries highlight the critical role of glycans in strengthening virus–receptor interactions, explaining viral infectivity, and suggesting novel strategies to inhibit viral entry. A key goal is to develop antiviral approaches that block critical steps in viral invasion, such as utilizing nanoparticles or hydrogels with specialized ligands to prevent virus binding or facilitate the targeted delivery of antiviral drugs. By integrating mechanobiology, biomaterials science, and receptor-mediated approaches, our work naturally aligns with the missions of both the Center for Bioactive Delivery and the Models to Medicine Center. Our multidisciplinary expertise in biophysics, nanotechnology, and materials design drives the development of novel therapeutic strategies, fosters industry collaborations, and prepares the next generation of scientists to tackle real-world biomedical challenges.

Academic Background:

• Post-Doc 2008, Harvard Medical School — Immune Disease and Pathology
• PhD 2003, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine — Physiology and Biophysics
• M.Phil. 1999, University of Hong Kong — Biophysics
• BS 1995, Sun Yat-sen University — Biophysics, Biology