Chuanbao Zheng, PhD ​

Postdoctoral Researcher 📍 Current location: Aachen, Germany (DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials) | ✉️ chuanbaozheng77@gmail.com

👤 About Me ​

An interdisciplinary postdoctoral researcher with a focus on protein engineering and computational design. I have a combined background in "physics-based reasoning + biological experimental validation," and am skilled in AI-driven protein design tools such as RFdiffusion, ProteinMPNN, and AlphaFold2.

I possess end-to-end R&D experience ranging from de novo sequence design, high-yield expression process optimization, to biophysical characterization. Having worked in top laboratories in the Netherlands, the United States, and Germany, I have published 7 high-impact papers in journals including PNAS (2), Small, and Biosensors and Bioelectronics. I specialize in solving challenging problems in protein design and modification.

🎓 Education ​

• 2021.01 – 2025.05 | Wageningen University (Netherlands) * PhD in Protein Engineering
• 2023.06 – 2023.10 | Duke University (USA) * Visiting PhD Researcher · Biomedical Engineering (Lab of Prof. Ashutosh Chilkoti)
• 2017.09 – 2020.06 | Xiamen University * MSc in Physics
• 2013.09 – 2017.06 | Yantai University * BSc in Physics

💼 Research and Work Experience ​

2025.06 – 2027.05 | DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials (Germany) ​

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher

• Research direction: Genetically encoded ultrasound-sensitive polypeptide brushes.
• Key contribution: Using protein engineering to develop novel biomaterials that respond to ultrasound signals, exploring their potential in biomedical imaging and drug delivery.

2021.01 – 2025.05 | Wageningen University (Netherlands) ​

Position: PhD Researcher

• Research direction 1: Surface-binding peptide and protein design
  • Developed high-performance antifouling coatings for biosensing applications.
  • Solved the one-step functionalization challenge on polystyrene and gold surfaces.
• Research direction 2: Ice-binding protein development
  • Designed and validated novel ice-binding proteins for cryopreservation of biomaterials, effectively improving cell freezing efficiency.

🛠️ Professional Skills ​

1. Protein Design and Computation (Dry Lab) ​

• AI toolchain: Proficient in using RFdiffusion, ProteinMPNN, and AlphaFold2 for de novo design and engineering of peptides and functional proteins.
• Computing environment: Skilled in Linux systems, with experience in large-scale data processing, command-line operations, and simulation tasks on high-performance computing clusters (HPC).

2. Protein Engineering, Expression, and Purification (Wet Lab) ​

• Molecular construction: Proficient in primer design, PCR amplification, and multiple cloning techniques (e.g., Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate, Pre_RDL), with experience in complex vector construction, transformation, and screening.
• High-yield expression: Skilled in multi-factor optimization (temperature/inducer/medium) in E. coli systems, with hands-on experience in handling challenging soluble expression and inclusion body refolding.
• Downstream purification: Experienced with ÄKTA systems, proficient in His-tag affinity chromatography, IEX (ion exchange chromatography), and SEC (size exclusion chromatography).

3. Structural Characterization and Physicochemical Analysis ​

• Quality assessment: Skilled in using SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF (mass spectrometry) to confirm protein purity and correct molecular weight.
• Biophysical characterization: Experienced in CD (circular dichroism) for secondary structure analysis and DLS (dynamic light scattering) for particle size distribution.
• Surface analysis: Proficient in QCM-D (quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation), AFM (atomic force microscopy), and CLSM (confocal laser scanning microscopy) to study protein assembly and antifouling performance at interfaces.

4. Professional Soft Skills ​

• Experienced in scientific writing, cross-border project management, teamwork, and international academic presentations.

🏆 Honors and Awards ​

• 2023 | VLAG Research Grant (for visiting research at Duke University)
• 2015 | National Endeavor Scholarship
• 2014 | National Endeavor Scholarship
• Academic exchange | Invited for oral presentations at international conferences including GRC/GRS (Bioinspired Materials) and Dutch Soft Matter.

🤝 Personal Traits and Languages ​

• Aim-oriented: Strong sense of responsibility, ensuring R&D milestones are delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Resilience: Able to handle negative results in research calmly, quickly review and adjust experimental plans during project bottlenecks.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: With an international research background, I bridge computational design and experimental validation, with strong communication and resource coordination skills.
• Languages: Chinese (native) | English (fluent, for academic and professional communication and presentations)

📝 Selected Publications ​

1. Zheng, C., et al. "A modular platform for surface-bound biosensing: SpyCatcher-Mediated functionalization of antifouling polypeptide brushes on gold and polystyrene." Biosensors and Bioelectronics (2025).
2. Zheng, C., et al. "Nonfouling Coatings from Synthetic Intrinsically Disordered Proteins." Small (2025).
3. Zheng, C., et al. "One-step antifouling coating of polystyrene using engineered polypeptides." Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (2025).
4. Zheng, C., et al. "Modular Design for Proteins Assembling into Antifouling Coatings: Case of Gold Surfaces." Langmuir (2023).
5. de Haas, R. J., ..., Zheng, C., et al. "Inhibition of ice recrystallization with designed twistless helical repeat proteins." PNAS (2025).
6. de Haas, R. J., ..., Zheng, C., et al. "De novo designed ice-binding proteins from twist-constrained helices." PNAS (2023).
7. Alvisi, N., Zheng, C., et al. "Design of Polypeptides Self-Assembling into Antifouling Coatings." Biomacromolecules (2022).