Zheng Tan MD PhD #
- Dr. Zheng Tan is an Executive Research Coordinator in the Eye Care Centre at Vancouver General Hospital.
- She specializes in organ-on-a-chip systems, developing multi-organ co-culture setups to emulate complex human physiological processes and replace animal testing.
- In 2024, she won the 2024 Lush Prize for her innovative organ-on-a-chip research and served as a judge for the competition in 2026.
Hedtrich lab, Centre for Blood Research
Credit: CBR
Introduction #
Dr. Zheng Tan is a distinguished researcher and known for her pioneering work in organ-on-a-chip systems. Her research focuses on developing multi-organ co-culture setups to emulate complex human physiological processes. This work is crucial in the field of toxicology and biomedical research as it provides a human-based model to replace traditional animal testing methods. Dr. Tan’s contributions are recognized globally highlighting her commitment to advancing science without the use of animals.
Professional Background and Achievements #
Dr. Zheng Tan currently serves as an Executive Research Coordinator in the Eye Care Centre at Vancouver General Hospital. She is affiliated with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and works in the lab of Sarah Hedtrich (née Küchler). Her expertise lies in Urologic Oncology, Tissue Engineering, and Regenerative Medicine. She has co-authored numerous publications, showcasing her extensive research output and influence in her field.
One of Dr. Tan’s most notable achievements is winning the 2024 Lush Prize. This award was granted for her project on establishing a multi-organ co-culture in an organ-on-a-chip setup to emulate the human atopic march. This project is significant as it aims to replace animal testing with a human-based model, aligning with global efforts to reduce and eliminate animal use in scientific research. In 2026 she became a judge for the Lush Prize competition.
Major Projects and Publications #
Dr. Zheng Tan’s research primarily revolves around developing organ-on-a-chip systems emulating human-based models to replace traditional animal testing methods.
Below is a table summarizing some of her key publications:
| Title | Journal | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Human‐Based Skin‐Lymphoreticular Model‐on‐Chip to Emulate Inflammatory Skin Conditions | Advanced Healthcare Materials | 2026 | Link |
| Disrupting TSLP–TSLP receptor interactions via putative small molecule inhibitors yields a novel and efficient treatment option for atopic diseases | EMBO Molecular Medicine | 2024 | Link |
| Intranasal delivery of low-dose anti-CD124 antibody enhances treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps | Biomaterials | 2024 | Link |
| Systemic delivery of proteins using novel peptides via the sublingual route | Journal of Controlled Release | 2024 | Link |
| Y-box binding protein-1 is crucial in acquired drug resistance development in metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma | Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research | 2020 | Link |
| TSLP as druggable target – a silver-lining for atopic diseases? | Pharmacology & Therapeutics | 2020 | Link |
| Inhibition of GLI2 with antisense‐oligonucleotides: A potential therapy for the treatment of bladder cancer | Journal of Cellular Physiology | 2019 | Link |
| The role of netrin-1 in metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib | Oncotarget | 2018 | Link |
| Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) promotes development of bone metastasis in renal cell carcinoma | Oncotarget | 2018 | Link |
Conclusion #
Dr. Zheng Tan’s career is a testament to her pioneering spirit in advancing alternative methods in biomedical research and exemplifies the shift from animal-based research to NAM-based, ethical science. Her award-winning work on organ-on-a-chip systems, leadership in regulatory toxicology projects (EFSA-DNT, ENDpoiNTs, ONTOX), innovative drug delivery technologies (MADDD), and extensive publications in high-impact journals position her as a global leader in alternative methods. Her contributions to molecular biology, RNA splicing, and neurodegenerative diseases, highlight her influence in advancing predictive, human-relevant research paradigms.
Videos #
Features Dr. Zheng Tan’s award-winning project.
Media #
Lush Prize
Highlights some of Dr. Zheng Tan’s achievements.
BC FNAR 2025 Grant Recipient
Dr. Zheng Tan received a grant for her human-based skin-lymph node model on-a-chip to emulate inflammatory skin conditions.
National Postdoc Appreciation Week
Interview with Dr. Zheng Tan at the Hedtrich lab.
Research Profiles #
ResearchGate Profile - Verified profile with institutional email confirmation.