Welcome to the Li Microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip & Nanotechnology group for Bioanalysis, and Biomedical, Environmental & Catalysis Applications at UTEP.

Our mission is to develop state-of-the-art microfluidic and nanotechnology for cutting-edge research in analytical chemistry, biological science, biomedical engineering, environmental and catalysis science and engineering.

We welcome talented individuals to join the group for innovative discovery in a multidisciplinary research environment.

• Call for papers: Guest Editor (Dr. Chaoyong Yang, and Dr. Xiujun Li), Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2020, “Analytical Chemistry for Infectious Disease Detection & Prevention”. Welcome to submit.
• Call for papers: Guest Editor (w/ Dr. Manabu Tokeshi), Micromachines, 2020, Special issue “Feature Paper in Chemistry” , open for submission now.
• 10/11/2020: Dr. Li has been invited to serve on Editorial Board of Journal of Analysis and Testing. 
• 10/06/2020:  A new paper regarding photothermal genetic detection of pathogen has been accepted for publication by Anal Chem. "Zhou, W.; Sun, J.; Li, X.* Low-Cost Quantitative Photothermal Genetic Detection of Pathogens on a Paper Hybrid Device Using a Thermometer, Anal Chem 2020, Accepted." Congrats, Wan et al!
• 10/05/2020: A new provisional patent application regarding photothermal genetic analysis was filed.
• 08/28/2020: A new patent is beging granted. "X.J. Li*, M. Dou, D.C. Dominguez, “Methods and compositions for paper-based and hybrid microfluidic devices integrated with nucleic acid amplification for disease diagnosis”, US patent (#US14/796,127). Filed on July 10, 2015"
• 08/19/2020: Cynthis won a poster award in the recent COURI summer symposium for undergraduate students. Congrats, Cynthia!
• 07/14/2020: A book chapter regarding low-cost disease diagnosis was submitted for publication. 
• 07/11/2020: A new manuscript regarding photothermal studies was submitted for publication.
• 06/14/2020： Our recent work published in Anal Chem regarding one-step surface modification to graft DNA code on paper is highlighted by X-Mol. Link 1; Link 2. Local Download. 
• 06/08/2020: A new paper regarding using nanomaterials to amplify colorimetric signals is accepted for publication by Analyst. "Prasad, K.S.; Abugalyon, Y.; Li, C.; Xu, F.; Li, X.* New method to amplify colorimetric signals of paper-based nanobiosensors for simple & sensitive pancreatic cancer biomarker detection, Analyst 2020, In Press." Congrats to Prasad et al! 
• 05/13/2020: A new paper regarding photothermal microfluidic pumping has been accepted for publication by Lab Chip. Congrats to Guanglei and Wan et al! "Fu, G.;⁺ Zhou, W.;⁺ Li, X.* Remotely tunable microfluidic platform driven by nanomaterial-mediated on-demand photothermal pumping, Lab Chip 2020, In Press. DOI: 10.1039/D0LC00317D."
• 05/05/2020: A new patent about hemoglobin A1C and glucose detction  is granted. "XiuJun Li*, Gilberto Henao-Pabon, “Devices and methods using modified paper electrodes for the detection of hemoglobin A1C and glucose”, U.S. Patent (#15/276,408). Filed on September 26, 2016.
  -Granted on 5/5/2020. US Patent #: 10,640,801. "
• 05/07/2020: Congrats to Yousef for receiving Academic and Research Excellence  Award for Undergraduate Student in Chemistry. Well done, Yousef! He has received an offer to go to Texas A&M for graduate study. 
• 04/14/2020: A new US patent is granted. Congrats to Maowei et al!  "Xiujun Li,* Maowei Dou, "Methods and compositions for hybrid microfluidic devices integrated with nano-biosensors", US patent (#US14/725, 689). Filed on May 29, 2015.
  -Granted on 4/14/2020. US Patent #: 10,620,200. " 
• 04/25/2020: Teamed up with Drs. Dominguez and Sun, we, a team for infectious disease study, received the IDR grant and IDR space from the new UTEP IDR building. Congrats to the team!
• 04/07/2020: Our recent work regarding smart paper transformer in Chem Sci was highlighted by RSC communications. Local link.
• 03/24/2020: A new paper regarding paper surface modification for grafting DNA codes has been accepted for publication in Analytical Chemistry. "Zhou, W.; Feng, M.; Valadez, A.; Li, X.* One-Step Surface Modification to Graft DNA Codes on Paper: The Method, Mechanism and Its Application, Anal Chem 2020, In Press." Congrats to Wan et al！ 
• 02/25/2020: A new paper regarding PnP hybrdid microfluidic devices for high-sensitivity immunoassay has been accepted for publication by Microsystems & Nanoengineering. "Sanjay, S. T.;+ Li, M.;+ Zhou, W.; Li, X.C.;  Li, X.* A Reusable PMMA/Paper Hybrid Plug-and-Play Microfluidic Device for Ultrasensitive Immunoassay with Wide Dynamic Range, Microsystems & Nanoengineering 2020, Accepted.". Congrats to Sanjay and Meihan (Undergraduate) et al!
• 02/09/2020: A new paper regarding paper transformer-suppported catalysis has been accepted for publication by Chemical Science. "Jin, Q.; Ma, L.; Zhou, W.; Shen, Y.; Fernandez-Delgado, O.; Li, X.* Smart Paper Transformer: New insight for enhanced catalytic efficiency and reusability of noble metal nanocatalysts, Chemical Science 2020, Accepted." Congrats to Qijin et al. Well done!
• 02/08/2020: A new paper regarding photothermal genetic biosensing using a thermometer has been accepted for publication by Anal Chem. "Zhou, W.; ⁺ Hu, K.;⁺ Kwee, S.; Tang, L.; Wang, Z.; Xia, J.; Li, X.* Gold Nanoparticle Aggregation-Induced Quantitative Photothermal Biosensing Using a Thermometer: A Simple and Universal Biosensing Platform, Anal Chem 2020, 92, 3, 2739-2747.". Congrats to Wan and Kaiqiang et al. 
• 02/02/2020: We received a NSF I-Corps grant award for exploring commercialization of our "products". Thanks for the significant contributions from Hamed, Sanjay, Maowei, Les et al. Good job!
• 01/19/2020： One new paper has been accepted for publication in Catalysis Today. "Jin, Q.; Ma, L.; Zhou, W.; Chintalapalle, R.; Shen, Y.*; Li, X.* Strong interaction between Au nanoparticles and porous polyurethane sponge enables efficient environmental catalysis with high reusability, Catalysis Today 2020, Accepted." 
• 01/07/2020: Dr. Li was invited to serve at the Advisory Board of Lab on a Chip.
•  01/06/2020: Dr. Li was invited to serve at the Advisory Board of Analyst.
• 01/01/2020: A new paper regarding high-sensitivity immunoassay was submitted for publication. 
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• 12/10/2019: Hamed won Fall 2019 Dodson Research grant! Good job!
• 12/05/2019：Two provisional patents regarding photothermal studies were filed.
• 12/03/2019: A new paper regarding environmental catalysis has been accepted for publication by Catalysis Today. "Jin, Q.; Lu, B.; Pan, Y.; Tao, X.; Himmelhaver, C.; Shen, Y.;* Gu, S.; Zeng, Y.; Li, X.* Novel porous ceramic sheet supported metal reactors for continuous-flow catalysis, Catalysis Today 2019, Accepted. (2018 IF 4.9)".
• 11/30/2019: A new paper regarding early detection of pancreatic cancer has been accepted for publication by Sensors & Actuators B: Chemical. "Prasad, K. S.; Cao, X.; Gao, N.; Jin, Q.; Sanjay, S. T.; Henao-Pabon, G.; Li, X.* A Low-Cost Nanomaterial-based Electrochemical Immunosensor on Paper for High-sensitivity Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer, Sens Actuators B Chem 2019, Accepted."
• 11/15/2019: Dr. Li successfully hosted a symposium, Bioanalysis, in the recent ACS Regional Meeting (SWRM).
• 11/13/2019: A new manuscript regarding paper surface study was submitted for publication. 
• 11/01/2019: A new manuscript regarding photothermal biosensing was submitted for publication. 
• 10/25/2019: Dr. Li gave an invited talk at the recent 18th BCEIA conference, and Chaired a session. 
• 10/25/2019: A visiting professor Dr. Jianfei Xia joined our group! Welcome, Jianfei!
• 10/18/2019: New positions! We are looking for talented graduates for interdisciplinary research in the field of material science & engineering, biomedical engineering, nanoscience, biomass conversion, catalysis, etc. The positions will be supported by the NSF PREM center grant. In order to apply, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident and a full-time UTEP student with a 3.0 GPA or higher. High priority will be given to underrepresented students (e.g. female, or minority students). If you are interested, please contact Dr. Li by email. 
• 09/17/2019: A new BUILDing Scholar Cynthia joined our group! Welcome, Cynthia!
• 09/12/2019: A new paper regarding photothermal immunosensing was accepted for publication by Anal Chem. "Fu, G.;* Zhu, Y.; Xu, K.; Wang, W.; Hou, R.; Li, X.* Photothermal Microfluidic Sensing Platform Using Near-Infrared Laser-Driven Multiplexed Dual-Mode Visual Quantitative Readout, Anal Chem 2019, In Press. (2018 IF 6.4)"
• 08/28/2019: A new collaborative paper regarding stimulus-responsive hydrogel was accepted for publication by NPG Asia Materials. "Shi, Q.; Liu, H.; Tang, D.; Li, Y.; Li, X.;* Xu, F.* Bio-Actuators based on Stimulus-Responsive Hydrogels and Their Emerging Biomedical Applications, NPG Asia Mater. 2019, Accepted. (2018 IF 8.05)"
• 08/27/2019: A new paper regarding photothermal studies on paper-based devices was accepted for publication by ACS Sensors.  "Fu, G.;* Zhu, Y.; Wang, W.; Zhou, M.; Li, X.* Spatiotemporally Controllable Multiplexed Photothermal Microfluidic Pumping under Monitoring of On-Chip Thermal Imaging, ACS Sensors 2019, Accepted. (2018 IF 6.9)"
• 08/22/2019： A collaborative publication regarding paper-based devices was published. " Tang, R. H.; Liu, L. N.; Zhang, S. F.; He, X. C.; Li, X. J.; Xu, F.; Ni, Y. H.; Li, F. A review on advances in methods for modification of paper supports for use in point-of-care testing, Microchimica Acta 2019, 186, 521. (2018 IF 5.7)"
• 08/10/2019: Congrats to Yunqi Shi for winning a COURI Poster Award. Good job!
• 07/01/2019: Wan received prestigious Keelung Hong Graduate Research Fellowship. Students selected for this fellowship can receive up to two years of annual stipend ($24,000) and $1,000 per year for travel to scientific meetings, dependent on satisfactory progress. Congratulations to Wan! Well done. Also thanks to the support from the Department and Dr. Keelung Hong.
• 06/23/2019: A new manuscript regarding on-chip photothermal studies was submitted for publication.
• 05/27/2019: Two COURI summer research undergraduate students from Beijing Normal University joined our group. Welcome, Yunqi and Huaqing!
• 05/15/2019: Our work for POC diagnosis of whooping cough published in a Lancet journal has been highlighted by social media. Local copy. or https://www.utep.edu/chs/news/its-a-go.html . 
  
  
• 05/12/2019: A new invited paper has been accepted for publication by Trends in Analytical Chemistry. Congrats to Hamed, Wan and Lei et al. "Tavakoli, H.;⁺ Zhou, W.;⁺ Ma, L.;⁺ Perez, S.; Ibarra, A.; Xu, F.; Zhan, S.; Li, X.* Recent advances in microfluidic platforms for single-cell analysis in cancer biology, diagnosis and therapy, TRAC - Trend Anal Chem 2019, In Press."
• 05/01/2019: A new visiting Ph.D. student Xiyue from Qingdao University joined our group. Wecome, Xiyue!
• 05/03/2019: Wan Zhou  was selected for the competitive Graduate School Summer Research Grant. Congrats, Wan! 
• 04/26/2019: Dr. Li gave an oral presentaiton about nanomaterials in MRS (Material Research society) 2019 Conference in Phoenix, AZ 
• 04/25/2019: A collaborative paper regarding TB study has been accepted for publication. "Wu, H.; Bao, Y.; Wang, L.; Li, X.; Sun, J. Mycobacterium marinum down-regulates miR-148a in macrophages in an EsxA-dependent manner, International Immunopharmacology 2019, Accepted."
• 04/03/2019: A new collaborative paper has been accepted for publication in Talanta. "Gong, Y.; Zheng, Y.; Jin, B.; You, M.; Wang, J.; Li, X.; Lin, M.; Xu, F.; Li, F.; A Portable and Universal Upconversion Nanoparticle-Based Lateral Flow Assay Platform for Point-of-Care Testing, Talanta 2019, In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.1003.1105"
• 04/02/2019: An invited peer-reviewed book chapter has been accepted for publication in "Nanotechnology and Microfluidics" by Wiley. 
• 04/01/2019： An invited manuscript regarding single-cell analysis has been submitted for publication.
• 03/02/2019: A new manuscript regarding a new PU-supported Au catalyst for envionmental degradation has been submitted for publication.
• 3/1/2019: A new visiting graduate student Kaiqiang from Qingdao University joined our group. Wecome, Kaiqiang!
• 3/1/2019： A new paper by Maowei et al focusing on technical development for whooping cough detection has been accepted for publication by Analytica Chimica Acta. Congrats to Maowei et al! "Dou, M.; Sanchez, J.; Tavakoli, H.; Gonzalez, J. E.; Sun, J.; Dien Bard, J.; Li, X.* A Low-Cost Microfluidic Platform for Rapid and Instrument-Free Detection of Whooping Cough, Anal Chim Acta 2019, Accepted." 
• 2/26/2019: Dr. Li gave an invited oral presentation in Catalysis and Chemical Engineering Conference 2019 in Houston TX, as a track chair in Photocatalysis.
• 2/25/2019: A new collaborative paper with UTEP College of Health Sciences and Children Hospital LA regarding pertussis detection and clinical validation has been accepted for publication in EClinicalMedicine. EClinicalMedicine is one of the prestigious Lancet Family journals. Congrats to Maowei et al! "Dou, M.; Macias, N.; Shen, F.; Dien Bard, J.; Dominguez, D. C.;* Li, X.* Rapid and Accurate Pertussis Diagnosis on a Point-of-Care Biochip, EClinicalMedicine 2019, Accepted. (A Lancet Family journal)"
• 2/24/2019: A new collaborative paper with Dr. Zeng has been accepted for publication. Cheers! "Chen, J.; Lu, L.; Li, Y.; Ren, X.; Luo, H.; Gao, Y.; Yan, H.; Li, Y.; Qu, Y.; Yang, L.; Li, X.; Zeng, R. Preparation and evaluation of Bletilla striata polysaccharide/graphene oxide composite hemostatic sponge, Int. J. Biol. Macromol 2019, In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.1002.1137."
• 01/15/2019: A new Ph.D. student Roy joined our group. Wecome, Roy!
• 1/21/2019: Our paper has been ranked as the Top 10 Cited Papers from the journal. "Zhang, J.; Wei, X.; Zeng, R.; Xu, F.; Li, X.* Stem cell culture and differentiation in microfluidic devices towards organ-on-a-chip,   Future Sci OA 2017, 3(2), FSO187. DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2016-0091."
• 1/7/2019: A new manuscript regarding a new catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH₃ has been submitted for publication.

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