Presenter: Professor Rui Li, Centre for Sustainable Bioproducts, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University & Department of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, China
Date & Time: Wednesday, 20 May 12-1pm
Venue: Hybrid Event
Abstract
Marine biopolymers—such as proteins from fish and polysaccharides from seaweed—offer unique properties that make them promising for advanced drug and nutrient delivery. However, carriers made from a single material often suffer from structural instability or uncontrolled release. In this talk, I will show how we use marine-derived materials to build versatile delivery systems—including hydrogels, nanoparticles, and emulsions—by controlling how these components interact. We found that certain marine polysaccharides are particularly effective at improving the mechanical performance of protein-based hydrogels. To protect sensitive bioactive compounds during oral delivery, we developed pH-responsive hydrogels and gel beads that release their contents only under specific conditions. At the nanoscale, we created nanoparticles that enhance the encapsulation and delivery of plant-derived flavonoids. We also used biopolymer complexes to stabilize emulsions for encapsulating volatile oils, and designed emulsion gels that can control the stability and release of encapsulated drugs. This work demonstrates how marine resources can be used to create efficient, customizable delivery platforms for biomedical and food applications.
About the Speaker
Professor Rui Li is a food scientist and biochemist with international recognition in food biochemistry and the fabrication and valorisation of biological materials. She earned her PhD in Biological and Chemistry Science from Deakin University, Australia, after completing her MSc in Food Science from Jiangnan University, China, and her BSc (Hons) in Food Science and Engineering from Henan Agricultural University, China. She is currently a professor of Food Science at Guangdong Ocean University, China and a visiting scholar at the Centre for Sustainable Bioproducts, Deakin University. Her research focuses on using marine-derived polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, and proteins from marine by-products to prepare hydrogels, nanoparticles, and emulsions, and exploring their applications as degradable membranes and delivery systems. She leads several Guangdong Province Natural Science Foundation Projects researched on the effects and mechanism of natural polysaccharides in modulating the properties of marine proteins and their applications in delivery system or packaging film. Her work bridges food chemistry and biotechnology, emphasising the valorisation of marine fish waste and the utilisation of bioactive compounds. Professor Li has published more than 100 research articles, 4 book chapters and 2 books. She has also been granted 4 national invention patents, three of which have been transferred to companies. She serves as a reviewer for several journals, including International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Trends in Food Science and Technology, Food Chemistry, Food Chemistry: X, etc. journals.