People
Dr Gu is currently appointed as a Full Professor, Director of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Engineering Lab for Intelligent Organ Manufacturing and group leader of Bioinspired Engineering, at Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration (ISCR) | Institute of Zoology (IOZ), CAS. Dr Gu has interdisciplinary training in materials chemistry and stem cells. His first doctoral career (2009-2013) is mainly engaged in research on stem cells at Northeast Agricultural University and Chinese Academy of Sciences. He completed a second PhD (2013-2017) in Chemistry at University of Wollongong (UOW) followed by being appointed as an Associate Professor at IOZ, CAS and establishing his lab, Bioinspired Engineering. He became Full Professor at IOZ, CAS at the end of 2019. Prof Gu focuses on developing novel biomaterials and advanced technologies, 3D/4D bioprinting to regulate stem cell fate, fabrication of functional 3D organs and even live organisms in vitro. These studies are applied to understand the mechanism of life and establish novel therapeutic methodologies. Prof Gu has previously published 33 first-author and corresponding author peer-reviewed journal articles, including Adv. Funct. Meter., Adv. Sci., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Materials Horizons, Adv. Healthc. Mater. etc., mostly on bioprinting, biofabrication, biomaterials and stem cell engineering over the past 5 years. Furthermore, Prof Gu has been invited to finish 3 book chapters and co-inventor on seven patents.
Selected Prizes, awards and honors
• 2023 Australia China Alumni Award for Research and Science (Judges’ Commendation and Winner), Australia China Alumni Association
• 2023 Excellent Final Evaluation, Hundred Talents Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences（百人计划结题优秀）
• 2023 Outstanding Young Talents of “Phoenix Project” in Chaoyang District, Beijing
• 2022 Chinese Society of Stem Cell Research (CSSCR) Young Investigator Award
• 2022 Excellent Young Scientists Fund, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) （基金委优青）
• 2020 Final Evaluation of “Hundred Talents Program”, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• 2017 “Hundred Talents Program” Youth Talent of Chinese Academy of Sciences
• 2017 UOW Outstanding Thesis
• 2017 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad
Journal services
• Biofabricaiton, Editorial Board
• Cell Proliferation, Editorial Board
• Bioactive Materials, Early Career Editorial Board
• BMEMat, Early Career Editorial Board
• International Journal of AI for Materials and Design, Editorial Board
Society activities
• Advanced Biofabrication Branch, Chinese Society for Biomaterials (CSBM), Committee member
• Regenerative Medicine Materials Branch, Chinese Society for Biomaterials (CSBM), Committee member
• Biomedical 3D Printing and Regenerative Medicine Branch, Biomedical Engineering Society of Guangdong Province, Executive Committee Member
• Beijing Institute of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Academic Committee member
Principal Investigator
Ph.D. Professor
Dr Gu is currently appointed as a Full Professor, Director of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Engineering Lab for Intelligent Organ Manufacturing and group leader of Bioinspired Engineering, at Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration (ISCR) | Institute of Zoology (IOZ), CAS. Dr Gu has interdisciplinary training in materials chemistry and stem cells. His first doctoral career (2009-2013) is mainly engaged in research on stem cells at Northeast Agricultural University and Chinese Academy of Sciences. He completed a second PhD (2013-2017) in Chemistry at University of Wollongong (UOW) followed by being appointed as an Associate Professor at IOZ, CAS and establishing his lab, Bioinspired Engineering. He became Full Professor at IOZ, CAS at the end of 2019. Prof Gu focuses on developing novel biomaterials and advanced technologies, 3D/4D bioprinting to regulate stem cell fate, fabrication of functional 3D organs and even live organisms in vitro. These studies are applied to understand the mechanism of life and establish novel therapeutic methodologies. Prof Gu has previously published 33 first-author and corresponding author peer-reviewed journal articles, including Adv. Funct. Meter., Adv. Sci., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Materials Horizons, Adv. Healthc. Mater. etc., mostly on bioprinting, biofabrication, biomaterials and stem cell engineering over the past 5 years. Furthermore, Prof Gu has been invited to finish 3 book chapters and co-inventor on seven patents.
Selected Prizes, awards and honors
• 2023 Australia China Alumni Award for Research and Science (Judges’ Commendation and Winner), Australia China Alumni Association
• 2023 Excellent Final Evaluation, Hundred Talents Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences（百人计划结题优秀）
• 2023 Outstanding Young Talents of “Phoenix Project” in Chaoyang District, Beijing
• 2022 Chinese Society of Stem Cell Research (CSSCR) Young Investigator Award
• 2022 Excellent Young Scientists Fund, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) （基金委优青）
• 2020 Final Evaluation of “Hundred Talents Program”, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• 2017 “Hundred Talents Program” Youth Talent of Chinese Academy of Sciences
• 2017 UOW Outstanding Thesis
• 2017 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad
Journal services
• Biofabricaiton, Editorial Board
• Cell Proliferation, Editorial Board
• Bioactive Materials, Early Career Editorial Board
• BMEMat, Early Career Editorial Board
• International Journal of AI for Materials and Design, Editorial Board
Society activities
• Advanced Biofabrication Branch, Chinese Society for Biomaterials (CSBM), Committee member
• Regenerative Medicine Materials Branch, Chinese Society for Biomaterials (CSBM), Committee member
• Biomedical 3D Printing and Regenerative Medicine Branch, Biomedical Engineering Society of Guangdong Province, Executive Committee Member
• Beijing Institute of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Academic Committee member
Principal Investigator
Ph.D. Professor
OUR Team
Assistant Researchers
Assistant Researcher
XINHUAN got her B.S. and M.S. in chemistry at Yangzhou University. In 2019, she obtained her Doctor’s degree in physical chemistry at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. There, she designed material-based composites and novel structures with visible-light response properties. Afterward, she joined the Gu lab for postdoctoral training at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 2023, she joined the Gu lab as Assistant Researcher.
Research Interest:
Designing biopolymer-based micro-hydrogel for applications in constructing vascular networks.
Postdoctoral Associates
Postdoctoral Associate
2022.08 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Postdoctoral Associate
2017.09 – 2022.07 Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, major in regenerative medicine, Ph.D.
2016.03 – 2017.08 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, joint undergraduate.
2013.09 – 2016.02, Hebei University, major in biological science, B.S.
Research Interest:
Integrated system to study vascular networks and to print multi-materials.
Heng Liu
Joint Postdoctoral Associate
(Beijing Jishuitan Hospital)
HENG completed his B.S. in Clinical Medicine at Jining Medical College in 2016, followed by postgraduate studies in Orthopedics at Bethune Medical College of Jilin University, where he received his Master’s degree in 2019. He then pursued his doctorate at the University of Munich, sponsored by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), and earned his Dr. Med. degree in 2022. Upon returning to China, he became a joint postdoctoral fellow at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital and the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, by joining the Gu lab in 2023.
Research Interest:
Bone and cartilage tissue engineering;
Treatment of bone infections;
Osteoporosis therapy;
Development of bone cement materials.
Wei Chen
Joint Postdoctoral Associate
(Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology)
WEI earned his Dr. Med. Degree in Clinical Medicine (eight-year program) at Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 2023. By joining the Gu lab, He became a joint postdoctoral fellow at the Rehabilitation Department, Tongji Hospital, and the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Research Interest:
Liver tissue engineering;
Management of acute liver failure;
Treatment of liver cancer.
Dan Chen
Joint Postdoctoral Associate
(Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology)
DAN enrolled in the Clinical Medicine (Eight Year Program) at Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 2015.09 to 2023.09, and she earned her Dr. Med. degree. She became a joint postdoctoral fellow at Tongji Hospital Huazhong University of Science and Technology and the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, by joining the Gu lab in 2023.11.
Research Interest:
In vitro culture of embryos & Organoids
Visiting Students / Scholars
Yuta Liu
Graduate Student
2024.07 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, visiting student
2021.09 – 2024.06 Nanjing University/ State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, major in Materials and Chemical Engineering, M.S.
2017.09 – 2021.06 Nanjing University of Science and Technology, major in Material Physics, B.S.
Research Interest:
• Single-cell analysis
• Inertial microfluidics for particle manipulation
• Micro-electromechanical system fabrication
• Nanocatalysis-integrated microfluidic chips for bioanalysis
• CRISPR-Cas system for molecular diagnostics
Ph.D. STUDENTS
Tingting Fan
Doctoral Candidate
2021.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2018.09 – 2021.07, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, major in regenerative medicine, M.D.
2014.09 – 2018.07, Hebei University, major in Biological sciences, B.S.
Research Interest:
Skeletal muscle regeneration using 3D bioprinting technology.
Doctoral Candidate
2019.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2018.03 – 2019.06 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, joint undergraduate.
2015.09 – 2018.01 Hebei University, major in biological science.
Research Interest:
Hard-soft composition bioink
Doctoral Candidate
KAI acquired his master’s degree in 2019 majored in Materials Engineering at the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC). From 2013 to 2017, he studied at the University of Science and Technology Beijing and majored in Materials Science and Engineering.
Research Interest:
Complicated printing paths for bio-gradience and bio-anisotropy to be used in heart construction.
Xiyuan Zhao
Doctoral Candidate
2020.06 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, mainly engages in the preparation of microcarriers.
2017.09 – 2020.06, studied at Beijing University of Chemical Technology with a master’s degree in materials science and engineering. The main work is to characterize and study the microparticles, existing forms and chemical composition of rubber, and change the properties of materials by changing the structure.
Research Interest:
Microgel system development for stem cell culture and printing
Rui Yuan
Doctoral Candidate
2023.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2020.09 – 2023.06, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang.
2016.09-2020.06, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo.
Research Interest:
Development of viscoelastic materials and culture of organoids
Jialin Hu
Doctoral Candidate
2022.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2019.09 – 2022.06 Henan University, joint national laboratory for antibody drug engineering
2015.09 – 2019.06 Zhejiang Normal University, College of Chemistry and Life Science
Research Interest:
Multidirectional differentiation of embryonic stem cells in the 3D environment
Tan Jia
Doctoral Candidate
2021.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2017.9 – 2021.7, Shandong University
Research Interest:
Manipulate cell morphological characteristics in 3D printing
Juan Zhang
Joint Doctoral Candidate
(Northeast Agriculture University)
2023.06 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Northeast Agriculture University
2020.10 – 2023.06, Hubei University; Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Research Interest:
Using stem cells to construct a brain development model in vitro
Diming Zhao
Joint Doctoral Candidate
(Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College/National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases)
2022.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College/National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, major in Cardiovascular Surgery.
2014.09 – 2022.06, Shandong University, major in cardiovascular surgery, B.S. & M.D.
Research Interest:
Tissue-engineered heart valve using 3D bioprinting technology.
Mingjian Chen
Joint Doctoral Candidate
(Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College/National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases)
2022.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College/National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, major in Cardiovascular Surgery.
2019.09 – 2022.06, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College/National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, major in Cardiovascular Surgery, M.D.
2014.09 – 2019.06, Guangzhou Medical University, major in clinical medicine, B.S.
Research Interest:
Tissue-engineered heart valve using 3D bioprinting technology.
Chengyi Sun
Joint Doctoral Candidate
(Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University)
2023.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Center of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, major in Orthopaedic surgery.
2020.09-2023.06 Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, major in Orthopaedic surgery. M.D.
2015.09-2020.06 Capital Medical University, major in clinical medicine, B.S.
Research Interest:
Bone and cartilage tissue engineering
Haitao Guo
Doctoral Candidate
2024.09, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, major in regenerative medicine.
2021.9 -2024.7, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, major in Biomedical Engineering.
2017.9 -2021.7, Nanchang University, major in Material Forming and Control Engineering.
Research Interest:
Biomedical Materials and 3D printing preparation, vascular tissue engineering
Guoshi Xu
Doctoral Candidate
2022.07 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2018.08 – 2022.06, Southeast University, major in Biomedical Engineering.
Research Interest:
Biomedical Materials and Microfluidics
Dadi Sun
Joint Doctoral Candidate
(Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University)
2022.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, major in Orthopedic Surgery.
2016.09 – 2021.06, Guangxi Medical University, major in clinical medicine, B.S.
Research Interest:
Microneedle manufacturing for biomacromolecule delivery
Treatment of osteoarthritis and cartilage regeneration
Boyang Jia
Joint Doctoral Candidate
(Northeast Agriculture University)
2024.06 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Northeast Agriculture University
2021.09-2024.06, Hebei University, major in Materials and Chemical Engineering
Research Interest:
Designing biopolymer-based micro-hydrogel for applications in constructing vascular networks.
Peisen Xie
Joint Doctoral Candidate
(Peking University Shougang Hospital)
PEISEN completed his Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Medicine at the North China University of Science and Technology in 2021. He continued his studies in Orthopedics at Xinjiang Medical University and studied at Peking University Shougang Hospital, earning his Master’s degree in 2025. In June 2025, he became a joint doctoral candidate at Peking University Shougang Hospital and the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, joining Professor Gu’s research group.
Research Interest:
Pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis, and treatment of arthritis
Nano drug delivery systems
Master's Students
Yifan Wang
Graduate Student
2022.02 till now, doing the undergraduate graduation project. 2018.09 till now, Undergraduate in Nanjing Normal University, majoring in biological science.
Research Interest:
Construction of bionic small-diameter blood vessel based on biomaterials
Yifan Hou
Graduate Student
2022.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2017.9 – 2021.6, Southeast University, major in Biomedical Engineering.
Research Interest:
Biofabrication of vascularized tissue/organs
Haolin Chen
Graduate Student
2023.06 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science.
2018.09 – 2022.06, Shandong University, major in Material Science and Engineering.
Research Interest:
Machine-Learning-Assisted Biofabrication and Microfluidics
Shuxian Chen
Graduate Student
2023.06 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2019.09 – 2023.06, Yangzhou University, major in Material Forming and Control Engineering.
Research Interest:
Construction of vascularized tissue by 3D bioprinting
Yilong He
Graduate Student
2024.05 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2019.09 – 2023. 08, Yonsei University, major in Biotechnology & Bioengineering.
Research Interest:
Biofabrication of vascularized organ chips
Weihao Wang
Graduate Student
2024.09 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2020.09-2024.06, Sichuan University, major in polymer science and engineering, minor in mathematics and applied mathematics
Research Interest:
Spidersilk spining-inspired 3D bioprinting
Application of Lebesgue measure and Lebesgue integral
Carla Serra Colomer
Graduate Student
2023.08 till now Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Technical University of Denmark
Joint Master’s Program in Life Science Engineering and Informatics.
2019.09-2023.06, Pompeu Fabra University, major in Human Biology.
Research Interest:
Biomaterial design for neuroscience applications
Hao Gu
Graduate Student
Research Interest:
Chensi Zhang
Graduate Student
2025.05 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2019.09 – 2023.06, Donghua University, major in Applied Physics.
Research Interest:
Biofabrication of organ chips
Undergraduate Students
Staff
Lixun Zhou
Laboratory Manager
2019 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, supervised and maintained the experiment order, managed experiment finance-related works, and secretary work of the lab.
2015.07 – 2019.06, lab manager, Institute of Genetics and Development Biology Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2016.09 – 2019.06, Joint-Postgraduates, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and Institute of Genetics and Development Biology Chinese Academy of Sciences, major in crop genetics and breeding.
Wenli Liu
Mechanical Engineer
2018.07 till now, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3D modeling, operation, and maintenance of 3D printers and related equipment.