Fan Zhang

Tissue Engineering, Biomaterial, Immunoengineering, Drug Delivery, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Tissue-engineered Vascular Graft, macrophage

Fan Zhang (she/her/hers) is a postdoc at UW in the Department of Bioengineering. Fan received her Ph.D. degree in Fiber and Polymer Science in Dr. Martin King’s lab at North Carolina State University, engineering immunomodulatory biomaterials for tissue-engineered vascular graft. Fan’s current research focuses on understanding the mechanism underlying biomaterial-induced vascularization. more

Works (11)

Updated: July 23rd, 2023 21:13

2023 article

A textile-reinforced composite vascular graft that modulates macrophage polarization and enhances endothelial cell migration, adhesion and proliferation in vitro

Zhang, F., Tao, H., Gluck, J. M., Wang, L., Daneshmand, M. A., & King, M. W. (2023, January 1). Soft Matter, Vol. 1.

By: F. Zhang n , H. Tao *, J. Gluck n , L. Wang *, M. Daneshmand * & M. King n 

MeSH headings : Endothelial Cells; Macrophage Activation; Textiles; Hydrogels; Cell Proliferation; Macrophages; Tissue Engineering
topics (OpenAlex): Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications; 3D Printing in Biomedical Research; Graphene and Nanomaterials Applications
TL;DR: The textile-reinforced hydrogel shows it potential to be a promising scaffold material to fabricate a tissue engineered vascular graft and improves the survival, adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells in vitro. (via Semantic Scholar)
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Sources: ORCID, Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: February 9, 2023

2023 journal article

Heparin Affinity-Based IL-4 Delivery to Modulate Macrophage Phenotype and Endothelial Cell Activity In Vitro

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 15(23), 27457–27470.

By: F. Zhang n , J. Gluck n , A. Brown n , D. Zaharoff n & M. King n 

author keywords: gelatin methacryloyl; heparin; interleukin4; hydrogel; macrophage; endothelial cell; immunomodulation
MeSH headings : Interleukin-4 / pharmacology; Heparin / pharmacology; Heparin / metabolism; Macrophages / metabolism; Phenotype; Hydrogels / pharmacology; Hydrogels / metabolism
topics (OpenAlex): Wound Healing and Treatments; Immune cells in cancer; Nerve injury and regeneration
TL;DR: A gelatin-heparin-methacrylate hydrogel is engineered that gradually releases interleukin-4 (IL-4), a cytokine that modulates macrophages to adopt the M2 phenotype and synergistically downregulated M1 gene expression and upregulated M2 gene expression within 48 h of in vitro cell culture. (via Semantic Scholar)
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Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries, ORCID, Crossref
Added: June 26, 2023

2022 article

A collagen/PLA hybrid scaffold supports tendon‐derived cell growth for tendon repair and regeneration

Xie, Y., Zhang, F., Akkus, O., & King, M. W. (2022, July 2). Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B Applied Biomaterials, Vol. 7.

By: Y. Xie  n, F. Zhang n , O. Akkus * & M. King n 

author keywords: biomaterials; biotextiles; collagen yarn; tendon regeneration; tissue engineering scaffold
MeSH headings : Cell Proliferation; Collagen; Humans; Polyesters; Regeneration; Rotator Cuff Injuries; Tendons; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds
topics (OpenAlex): Shoulder Injury and Treatment; Tendon Structure and Treatment; Surgical Sutures and Adhesives
TL;DR: Combining the mechanical robustness of PLA and the biological activity of collagen, the woven COL/PLA hybrid scaffold has shown its potential to be a promising candidate for tendon repair applications. (via Semantic Scholar)
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5. Gender Equality (Web of Science)
Sources: ORCID, Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: July 3, 2022

2022 journal article

Effects of sterilization methods on gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel properties and macrophage gene expression in vitro

Biomedical Materials, 18(1), 015015.

By: F. Zhang n , G. Scull*, J. Gluck n , A. Brown n  & M. King n 

author keywords: gelatin methacryloyl; hydrogel; sterilization; macrophage phenotype; gene expression
MeSH headings : Hydrogels; Macrophages
topics (OpenAlex): Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine; 3D Printing in Biomedical Research; Wound Healing and Treatments
TL;DR: It was found that the sterilization methods only marginally altered the hydrogel morphology, swelling behavior and elastic modulus, but significantly impacted macrophage gene expression within 48 h and over 7 d in vitro, suggesting that not only the sterility and hydrogels properties, such as material destruction and degradation caused by temperature and moisture, should be taken into consideration. (via Semantic Scholar)
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3. Good Health and Well-being (Web of Science; OpenAlex)
Sources: ORCID, Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries, Crossref
Added: November 22, 2022

2022 article

Immunomodulation Strategies for the Successful Regeneration of a Tissue‐Engineered Vascular Graft

Zhang, F., & King, M. W. (2022, March 14). Advanced Healthcare Materials, Vol. 3.

By: F. Zhang n  & M. King n 

author keywords: immune response; immunomodulation; macrophage; tissue engineering; tissue-engineered vascular grafts
MeSH headings : Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Humans; Immunity; Immunomodulation; Tissue Engineering
topics (OpenAlex): Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications; Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine; Infectious Aortic and Vascular Conditions
TL;DR: In this review, the basic concepts of vascular tissue engineering and immunoengineering are considered, the state‐of‐art of TEVGs is summarized and the role of macrophages in TEVG regeneration is analyzed. (via Semantic Scholar)
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3. Good Health and Well-being (Web of Science; OpenAlex)
Sources: ORCID, Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: March 31, 2022

2020 article

A hybrid vascular graft harnessing the superior mechanical properties of synthetic fibers and the biological performance of collagen filaments

Zhang, F., Bambharoliya, T., Xie, Y., Liu, L., Celik, H., Wang, L., … King, M. W. (2020, August 22). Materials Science and Engineering C, Vol. 118, p. 111418.

By: F. Zhang n , T. Bambharoliya n , Y. Xie n, L. Liu *, H. Celik *, L. Wang *, O. Akkus *, M. King n 

Contributors: F. Zhang n , T. Bambharoliya n , Y. Xie n, L. Liu *, H. Celik *, L. Wang *, O. Akkus *, M. King n 

author keywords: Tissue-engineered vascular graft; Biomaterial; Hybrid; Electrochemically aligned collagen; Poly (lactic acid)
MeSH headings : Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Collagen; Endothelial Cells; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds
topics (OpenAlex): Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications; Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine; Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
TL;DR: A hybrid tubular vascular tissue engineered scaffold has been circular-knitted using novel electrochemically aligned collagen (ELAC) filaments plied together with traditional poly(lactic acid) (PLA) yarn, which shows excellent mechanical and biological performance. (via Semantic Scholar)
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Sources: Web Of Science, ORCID, NC State University Libraries
Added: January 19, 2021

2020 article

Biodegradable Polymers as the Pivotal Player in the Design of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Zhang, F., & King, M. W. (2020, May 19). Advanced Healthcare Materials, Vol. 5, p. 1901358.

By: F. Zhang n  & M. King  n

author keywords: biodegradable materials; biomaterials; composites; polymers; tissue engineering scaffolds
MeSH headings : Biocompatible Materials; Polymers; Regenerative Medicine; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds
topics (OpenAlex): Bone Tissue Engineering Materials; Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications; Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
TL;DR: The interaction between implanted biodegradable biomaterials and the in vivo environment are discussed, including the properties and functional changes of the degradable scaffold, the local effect of degradation on the contiguous tissue and their evaluation using both in vitro and in vivo models. (via Semantic Scholar)
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Source: ORCID
Added: May 19, 2020

2020 article

Coronary Artery Disease and The Evolution of Angioplasty Devices

King, M. W., Bambharoliya, T., Ramakrishna, H., & Zhang, F. (2020, January 1). SpringerBriefs in Materials.

By: M. King  n, T. Bambharoliya  n, H. Ramakrishna n & F. Zhang n 

topics (OpenAlex): Cardiac, Anesthesia and Surgical Outcomes; Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health; Coronary Interventions and Diagnostics
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3. Good Health and Well-being (OpenAlex)
Source: ORCID
Added: May 27, 2020

2019 article

Application of Cognitive Task Performance Modeling for Assessing Usability of Transradial Prostheses

Zahabi, M., White, M. M., Zhang, W., Winslow, A. T., Zhang, F., Huang, H., & Kaber, D. B. (2019, March 18). IEEE Transactions on Human-Machine Systems, Vol. 49, pp. 381–387.

By: M. Zahabi*, M. White *, W. Zhang n, A. Winslow n, F. Zhang n , H. Huang n , D. Kaber*

Contributors: M. Zahabi*, M. White *, W. Zhang n, A. Winslow n, F. Zhang n , H. Huang n , D. Kaber*

author keywords: Cognitive modeling; GOMSL; mental workload; prosthetics
topics (OpenAlex): Muscle activation and electromyography studies; EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces; Human-Automation Interaction and Safety
TL;DR: Investigating the use of cognitive modeling to assess the usability of an upper-limb prosthesis with a focus on mental workload responses revealed the PR mode to be more intuitive, reduce cognitive load, and increase efficiency in prosthetic control as compared to the DC mode. (via Semantic Scholar)
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries, ORCID
Added: August 12, 2019

2019 article

Engineering small-caliber vascular grafts from collagen filaments and nanofibers with comparable mechanical properties to native vessels

Zhang, F., Xie, Y., Celik, H., Akkus, O., Bernacki, S. H., & King, M. W. (2019, April 3). Biofabrication, Vol. 11, p. 035020.

By: F. Zhang n , Y. Xie n, H. Celik *, O. Akkus *, S. Bernacki  n & M. King n 

author keywords: small caliber vascular graft; endothelialization; knitting; electrospinning; electrochemically aligned collagen (ELAC) filament; collagen nanofibers; mechanical properties
MeSH headings : Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessels / physiology; Cell Adhesion / drug effects; Cell Proliferation / drug effects; Collagen / pharmacology; Mice; Nanofibers / chemistry; Polyesters / chemistry; Rats; Sutures; Tissue Engineering / methods; Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry
topics (OpenAlex): Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications; Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine; Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
TL;DR: The feasibility of the use of novel collagen filaments for fabricating small caliber tissue-engineered vascular grafts that provide both sufficient mechanical properties and superior biological performance is demonstrated. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goals Color Wheel
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Sources: ORCID, Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: June 4, 2019

2019 article

Structural Design, Fabrication and Evaluation of Resorbable Fiber-Based Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

King, M. W., Chen, J., Deshpande, M., He, T., Ramakrishna, H., Xie, Y., … Zhao, F. (2019, November 6). (& L. Q. Z. (E. In E. Jacob-Lopes, Ed.). Biotechnology and Bioengineering.

By: M. King, J. Chen, M. Deshpande* , T. He, H. Ramakrishna, Y. Xie, F. Zhang* , F. Zhao

Ed(s): &. In E. Jacob-Lopes

topics (OpenAlex): Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications; Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine; Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
TL;DR: This chapter will explain the unique advantages of using textile technologies for tissue engineering scaffold fabrication, and will delineate the differences in design, fabrication and performance of woven, warp and weft knitted, braided, nonwoven and electrospun scaffolds. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: ORCID
Added: February 16, 2020

Employment

Updated: April 28th, 2025 16:44

2022 - present

University of Washington Seattle, WA, US
Postdoctoral Scholar Bioengineering

2018 - 2022

NC State University Raleigh, NC, US
Research Assistant

2018 - 2021

North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC, US
Teaching Assistant UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering

2021 - 2021

North Carolina State University Analytical Instrumentation Facility Raleigh, North Carolina, US
Laboratory assistant Bio Sample Preparation Lab

2019 - 2019

Novozymes Franklinton, North Carolina, US
R&D Intern Research and Development

Education

Updated: July 31st, 2022 00:14

2018 - 2022

North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina, US
PhD Wilson College of Textiles, Fiber and Polymer Science

Funding History

Funding history based on the linked ORCID record. Updated: January 1st, 2026 03:07

award December 1, 2025 - December 1, 2026
American Liver Foundation Postdoc Fellowship
American Liver Foundation
grant January 1 - December 1, 2021
Textile-Reinforced Composite Vascular Graft for Cardiac Patients
AATCC Foundation
award December 1, 2020
A Spatiotemporally Controlled Multi-Factor Releasing Composite Scaffold for Vascular Tissue Engineering
Society for Biomaterials
grant March 1 - December 1, 2020
WBC 2020 - 11th World Biomaterials Congress
Ellen Rohde Women’s Leadership Initiative
grant January 1 - December 1, 2020
A hybrid vascular graft harnessing the superior mechanical properties of synthetic fibers and the bioactivity of collagen yarns
AATCC Foundation

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