Our group works on a variety of interdisciplinary research projects concerning sustainability and human health. Ongoing projects range from metal-organic frameworks, to catalysis, to renewable energy, to nanomedicine, and to cancer therapy. While addressing fundamental chemical problems, our research addresses crucial social issues, such as the environment and sustainability (catalysis and actinide sequestration); alternative renewable energy (solar fuels and biofuels); and human health (biological and biomedical imaging, nanomedicine, drug delivery, cancer radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, and cancer vaccines). Several of our nanomedicines have been licensed to a biotech startup and translated into the clinic and one of them is currently in a phase 2 clinical trial.
Metal-organic Frameworks
Our group pioneered the rational design of functional solids based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). We have designed a large number of MOFs and explored their applications in nonlinear optics, asymmetric catalysis, gas storage/separation, and solar energy utilization. Current efforts are particularly focused on using MOFs as single-site solid asymmetric catalysts, storage media for hydrogen and methane, and sensory materials; for gas separations and carbon dioxide capture; and for light-harvesting and photocatalysis.
Catalysis
Catalysis is a major research effort that cuts across many different research directions. We are designing new highly enantioselective catalysts for a variety of organic transformations and applying our findings to solar and bioenergy generation. By taking advantage of our multidisciplinary expertise, we are not only discovering new homogeneous catalysts but also developing novel strategies for heterogenization of these relevant catalytic systems. To further improve these catalysts, we are interested in elucidating the mechanisms and fundamental issues concerning many of these interesting catalytic reactions.
Renewable Energy
Our research in renewable energy targets three different forms of alternative energy: solar, biological, and nuclear. We are currently exploring new concepts for achieving artificial photosynthesis by integrating different functional components into hierarchically ordered molecular solids. We have developed strong expertise in light harvesting, water oxidation, and proton reduction. Our biofuel research involves designing new catalytic systems for efficient conversion of cheap, nonfood feedstocks to biofuels and increasing the performance of biofuels. Finally, our contributions to nuclear energy focus on developing novel sorbents for efficient extraction of uranium from seawater. By extracting uranium from seawater, which contains 1000 times more uranium than all terrestrial ores, we can ensure the availability of affordable, carbon-neutral power for many generations to come.
Nanomedicine
We are developing hybrid nanomaterials (including nanoscale metal-organic frameworks, silicas, polysilsequioxanes, and degradable polymers) for biomedical imaging and drug delivery. We use the unique properties of nanoparticles to disproportionally accumulate in diseased tissues via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect to actively target tumors. These nanoparticles combine the attractive features of both inorganic and organic materials, making them promising platforms for translation to the clinic. Ongoing research efforts include designing nanoscale multimodal imaging contrast agents (magnetic resonance, computed tomography, and optical imaging) for early diagnosis of cancers as well as targeted delivery of potent drugs for improved cancer therapy. Strong emphasis is placed on preclinical evaluations of these systems to enable their clinical translation.
Cancer Therapy
We have developed multiple nanotherapeutics to enhance chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy of cancers. Several of them have been translated into the clinic and one of them is currently in a phase 2 trial. These bench to bedside experiences have allowed us to further refine our nanotechnologies to enhance the treatment efficacy of multiple cancers. Currently, we are actively developing nanoparticle radiosensitizers and immunotherapeutics as well as cancer vaccines for the treatment of head and neck, colorectal, and liver cancers
University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
B.S.
1988
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ph.D.
1994
Northwestern University, NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
1997
Brandeis University
Assistant Professor
2001
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Assistant Professor
2003
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Associate Professor
2007
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Professor
2013
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kenan Distinguished Professor
2013
University of Chicago
James Franck Professor
Zhen, W.; Germanas, T.; Weichselbaum, R.R.; Lin, W. Multifunctional Nanomaterials Mediate Cholesterol Depletion for Cancer Treatment. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, e202412844.
Lin, G.; Tillman, L.; Luo, T.; Jiang, X.; Fan, Y.; Liu, G.; Lin, W. Nanoscale Metal-Organic Layer Reprograms Cellular Metabolism to Enhance Photodynamic Therapy and Antitumor Immunity. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202410241.
Guo, Q.-Y.; Wang, Z.; Fan, Y.; Zheng, H.; Lin, W. A Stable Site-Isolated Mono(phosphine)-Rhodium Catalyst on a Metal-Organic Layer for Highly Efficient Hydrogenation Reactions. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202409387.
Zhen, W.; Kang, D. W.; Fan, Y.; Wang, Z.; Germanas, T.; Nash, G.; Shen, Q.; Leech, R.; Li, J.; Engel, G.; Weichselbaum, R.R.; Lin, W. “Simultaneous Protonation and Metalation of a Porphyrin Covalent Organic Framework Enhance Photodynamic Therapy.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 10.1021/jacs.4c03519.
Jiang, X.; Luo, T.; Yang, K.; Lee, M.J.; Liu, J.; Tillman, L; Zhen, W.; Weichselbaum, R.R.; Lin, W. STING activation disrupts tumor vasculature to overcome the EPR limitation and increase drug deposition. Sci. Adv. 2024, 10, eado0082.
Luo, T.; Jiang, X.; Fan, Y.; Yuan, E.; Li, J.; Tillman, L.; Lin, W. STING agonist-conjugated metal-organic framework induces artificial leukocytoid structures and immune hotspots for systemic antitumor responses. Nat. Sci. Rev. 2024, 11, nwae167.
Fan, Y.; Blenko, A.L.; Labalme, S.; Lin, W. Metal-Organic Layers with Photosensitizer and Pyridine Pairs Activate Alkyl Halides for Photocatalytic Heck-type Coupling with Olefins. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 7936-7941.
Luo, T.; Jiang, X.; Li, J.; Nash, G.T.; Yuan, E.; Albano, L.; Tillman, L.; Lin, W. Phosphate Coordination to Metal-Organic Layer Secondary Building Units Prolongs Drug Retention for Synergistic Chemoradiotherapy. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, e202319981.
Lázaro, I.A.; Chen, X.; Ding, M.; Eskandari, A.; David Fairen-Jimenez, D.; Giménez-Marqués, M.; Gref, R.; Lin, W.; Luo, T.; Forgan, R.S. Metal-Organic-Frameworks for Biological Applications.” Nat. Rev. Meth. Prim. 2024, 4: 42.
Liu, J.; Kang, D.W.; Fan, Y.; Nash, G.T.; Jiang, X.; Weichselbaum, R.R.; Lin, W. Nanoscale Covalent Organic Framework with Staggered Stacking of Phthalocyanines for Mitochondria-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 849-857.
“Digitonin-Loaded Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework Induces Antitumor Immunity via Mitochondria-Targeted Radiotherapy-Radiodynamic Therapy and Disulfidptosis.” Zhen, W.; Fan, Y.; Germanas, T.; Tillman, L.; Li, J.; Blenko, A.; Weichselbaum, R.R.; Lin, W. Adv. Mater. 2024, 2405494.
“Bifunctional Metal-Organic Framework Synergistically Enhances Radiotherapy and Activates STING for Potent Cancer Radio-Immunotherapy.” Wang, C.; Li, J.; Jiang, X.; Ma, X.; Zhen, W.; Tillman, L.; Weichselbaum, R.R.; Lin, W. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, e202417027.
“A Spirobifluorene-based Covalent Organic Framework for Dual Photoredox and Nickel Catalysis.” Fan, Y.; Kang, D.W.; Labalme, S.; Lin, W. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2023, 145, 25074-25079.
“Generation and Stabilization of A Dinickel Catalyst in A Metal-Organic Framework for Selective Hydrogenation Reactions.” Guo, Q.-Y.; Wang, Z.; Feng, X.; Fan, Y.; Lin, W. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202306905.
“Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks with an X-ray Triggerable Prodrug for Synergistic Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy.” Xu, Z.; Zhen, W.; McCleary, C.; Luo, T.; Jiang, X.; Peng, C.; Weichselbaum, R.R.; Lin, W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 18698-18704.
“Sequential Modifications of Metal-Organic Layer Nodes for Highly Efficient Photocatalyzed Hydrogen Atom Transfer.” Zheng, H.; Fan, Y.; Lin, W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 9994-1000.
“Self-Adaptive Metal-Organic Framework Assembles Diiron Active Sites to Mimic Monooxygenases.” Wang, Z.; Yeary, P.; Feng, X.; Lin, W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 8647-8655.
“Metal-Organic Layer Delivers 5-Aminolevulinic Acid and Porphyrin for Dual-Organelle-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy.” Luo, T.; Fan, Y.; Mao, J.; Jiang, X.; Albano, L.; Yuan, E.; Germanas, T.; Lin, W. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202301910.
“Molecular Engineering of Metal-Organic Layers for Sustainable Tandem and Synergistic Photocatalysis.” Fan, Y.; Zheng, H.; Labalme, S.; Lin, W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 4158-4165.
“Nanoparticle-Mediated Radiotherapy Remodels the Tumor Microenvironment to Enhance Antitumor Efficacy.” Zhen, W.; Weichselbaum, R.R.; Lin, W. Adv. Mater. 2023, 35, 2206370.
“Biomimetic active sties on monolayered metal-organic frameworks for artificial photosynthesis.” Lan, G.; Fan, Y.; Shi, W.; You, E.; Veroneau, S.S.; Lin, W. Nat. Catal. 2022, 5, 1006-1018.
“Direct photo-oxidation of methane to methanol over a mono-iron-hydroxyl site.” An, B.; Li, Z.; Wang, Z.; Zeng, X.; Han, X.; Cheng, Y.; Sheveleva, A.M.; Zhang, Z.; Tuna, F.; McInnes, E.J.L.; Frogley, M.D.; Ramirez-Cuesta, A.J.; Natrajan, L.; Wang, C.; Lin, W.; Yang, S.; Schröder, M. Nat. Mater. 2022, 21, 932-938.
“Zinc-c-di-AMP nanoparticles target and suppress tumors via endothelial STING activation and tumor associated macrophage reinvigoration.” Yang, K.; Han, W.; Jiang, X.; Piffko, A.; Bugno, J.; Han, C.; Li, S.; Liang, H.; Xu, Z.; Zheng, W.; Wang, L.; Wang, J.; Huang, X.; Ting, J.P.Y.; Fu, X.-Y.; Lin, W.; Weichselbaum, R.R. Nat. Nanotech. 2022, 17, 1322-1331.
Royal Society of Chemistry Horizon Prize
2024
Foreign Fellow, European Academy of Sciences
2023
OKeanos-CAPA Senior Investigator Award at the Chemical and Biology Interface
2018
“Top 100 Chemists” List Based on Per-Article Citations (Thompson Reuters)
2011
Acting Chair, Physical Science Panel, Hong Kong Research Grant Council
2012
On the “Top 100 Chemists” List Based on Per-Article Citations (Thompson Reuters)
2011
On the “Top Ten Chemists” List Based on Per-Article Citations (Thompson Reuters)
2010
Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award
2001
Arnold and Mabel Beckman Young Investigator Award
2000
Research Corporation Cottrell Scholar Award
2000
Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship
2000
National Science Foundation CAREER Award
1999
National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
1994-1997
T.S. Piper Award for Graduate Research in Inorganic Chemistry, University of Illinois
1994
University of Illinois Department of Chemistry Fellowship
1991-1993
USTC Yi-li-da Award for Undergraduate Research
1988
Highly Cited Researcher in Chemistry, Clarivate
2014 - 2024
Lin Group find BrP@MOL Boosts Photodynamic Therapy and Immune Response
Wenbin Lin group finds novel approach to enhance nanomedicine’s effects in pre-clinical tumor models
Chuan He, Wenbin Lin, and Jiwoong Park recognized as Clarivate 2022 Highly Cited Researchers