Juewen Liu is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and was recently named a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Biosensors and Bionanotechnology. This prestigious recognition is awarded to researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields.
Professor Liu is a member of the Microplastics Fingerprinting project, a multidisciplinary initiative involving over 30 team members, including faculty, graduate students, and support staff. The team’s diverse expertise brings a holistic perspective to tackling the complex challenges of plastic pollution.
In this project, Liu’s team focuses on identifying DNA sequences, known as aptamers, that can selectively bind to microplastics. These aptamer sequences can distinguish microplastics from other nanomaterials, such as silica. Additionally, the team is exploring nanomaterials designed to separate and degrade microplastics, contributing to innovative solutions for plastic pollution.
Professor Liu’s broader research centres on using DNA molecules to detect water contaminants, including heavy metal ions and small molecules pollutants. His interest in this field began during his PhD studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The growing environmental concerns surrounding microplastics has inspired him to leverage DNA aptamers as an analytical tool for detecting these pollutants.