Research

The Deng research group is dedicated to innovating next-generation polymeric materials that address pressing challenges in human health, biotechnology, and sustainability. The central research areas of our group are the development of novel synthetic approaches to access functional macromolecules and the innovation of new chemistry tools for chemical biology. We are interested in studying the supramolecular behaviors of these materials, including polymer folding, self-assembly, and interactions with other (bio)molecules. These investigations drive the development of polymer-based encoded materials, theranostics, and advancements in polymer sustainability. Given the inherently interdisciplinary nature of these research domains, the trainees will receive diverse skill training in organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, nanomaterials, and chemical biology.