Issue 2

Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME)

Professor Mo Yang and Dr. Chunyi Wen developed theranostic nanoprobes for reducing osteoarthritis (OA) pain

The Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) continues to develop Cellular and Molecular Engineering (CME) research area to apply engineering principles and tools to study the fundamental problems in cellular and molecular scales, enabling the understanding of cellular behavior from molecular-level interactions, elucidating of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying a broad spectrum of diseases, and tackling the human health-related challenges.

Professor Mo Yang, Associate Head of Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Dr Chunyi Wen, Associate Professor of Department of Biomedical Engineering and their research teams have jointly developed a theranostic nanoprobe based on molybdenum disulfide nanosheet-coated gold nanorods (MoS2-AuNR) targeting never growth factor (NGF), a key player in pain sensation, for photoacoustic pain imaging and near-infrared (NIR) imaging-guided photothermal analgesic therapy. This molecular theranostic approach enabled us to specifically localize the source of osteoarthritis (OA) pain and efficiently block peripheral pain transmission.

They succeed in publishing in the high-impact international journal ACS Nano! To learn more, (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.1c02454)

Dr. Xin Zhao developed bio-inspired surface textures for bone fracture surgical repair

Dr. Xin Zhao, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, has developed a Janus periosteum with interior surface adhesion and exterior anatomical patterns to mimic the structure and function of natural periosteum. It is envisioned that this Janus periosteum will be able to streamline bone fracture surgical repair as a rapidly adhesive, low-maintenance yet robust bandage to significantly cut down the healing phase.

She succeeds in publishing in the high-impact international journal Advanced Functional Materials! To learn more, (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adfm.202104636)

Dr. Youhua Tan and Dr. Dexter Wong developed a dynamic culture substrate tethered with integrin ligand-bearing magnetic nanoparticles for cancer stem cells (CSCs) study

Dr. Youhua Tan, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Dr. Dexter Wong, Research Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, together with their collabrators, developed new strategy for efficient expansion of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) in vitro. This magnetic nanoplatform provides a promising strategy for investigating the dynamic interaction between CSCs and the microenvironment and establishing a cost-effective tumor spheroid model.

They succeed in publishing in the high-impact international journal Nano Letters! To learn more, (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00501)

Dr. Sharon Ye Chun Ruan developed magnesium implantation or supplementation ameliorates bone disorder

Dr. Sharon Ye Chun Ruan, Assistatant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, together with her collabrators, has developed magnesium implantation or supplementation ameliorates bone disorder in CFTR-mutant mice through an ATF4-dependent Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Activation of ATF4-dependent Wnt/β-catenin signaling in osteocytes is identified as a previously undefined mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of magnesium on bone formation. The team’s most recent work revealed that magnesium implantation or supplementation, through activating a newly identified signaling pathway in bone cells, ameliorates bone disorder associated with mutations in an ion channel gene (CFTR), suggesting magnesium as a potential anabolic therapy for related bone disorder. The work was recently published in Bioactive Materials (2021, IF:14.59). For related work on skeletal aging, Dr Ruan has also won a number of major grants including HMRF 2018 (PI), HMRF 2021 (PI), RGC-Theme-based 2017 (Co-PI) and RGC-AoE 2021(Co-PI).

She succeeds in publishing in the high-impact international journal Bioactive Materials! To learn more, (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452199X21003200)