Many diseases remain difficult to detect early and treat effectively because the biological environments around them are constantly changing, while many current treatments remain largely passive. This can delay healing, reduce treatment effectiveness, and place significant burdens on patients, carers, and healthcare systems.
Dr Lei Bao is developing smart nanotechnologies that can sense changes in the body and respond with treatment when and where it is needed. Her team has created intelligent wound dressings that monitor signs of infection and inflammation while delivering therapy to support healing, with future potential for integration into digital and remote healthcare. Building on this research, she is now developing light-responsive nanotechnologies for precision cancer treatment that target tumours, activate therapy at the disease site and stimulate the body’s immune response.
By bringing together materials engineering, chemistry and biomedical science, Lei aims to move healthcare beyond passive treatment towards smarter, more responsive and personalised care, improving outcomes for people with complex and difficult-to-treat conditions.