Hongjun Liang

Hongjun Liang, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Cell Physiology & Molecular Biophysics at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, with a joint appointment as Adjunct Professor in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Texas Tech University. He leads research at the Center for Membrane Research (CMPR) and Membrane Protein Core Laboratory (MPCL), focusing on bridging biological and synthetic systems through nanomaterials innovation.

His research integrates membrane biophysics, bioengineering, and nanotechnology, with emphasis on:

• Synthetic proteomembranes for protein reconstitution
• Nanoparticle-based antimicrobials and biofilm mitigation
• Theranostic platforms for cancer diagnosis/treatment
• Polymer nanodiscs for membrane protein studies

Dr. Liang has published extensively in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Biomacromolecules, and Chemical Society Reviews, with recent work demonstrating nanostructure-dependent antibiotic activity and environmentally responsive nanomaterials. His lab utilizes advanced characterization tools like synchrotron SAXS and develops novel polymer-based membrane mimetics.

Current research directions include nanoparticle-pinched polymer brushes for microalgae dewatering, zwitterionic copolymer nanodiscs, and phage-mimicking antimicrobials. The lab welcomes inquiries from prospective graduate students and postdocs.