Fudan University and UC San Diego hold joint nanotechnology workshop

On July 12, Fudan University and the University of California San Diego held their first joint Workshop on Nanomaterials and Nanoengineering. The event featured a full day of presentations on cutting edge nano research from UC San Diego, Fudan University and other leading research institutions in China.

“We would like to enhance the collaboration between UC San Diego and Fudan in the areas of science and engineering. This workshop will help bring on more exchanges of ideas and activities between both universities,” said Yongfeng Mei, professor of materials chemistry and physics at Fudan University and co-organizer of the event. Mei is already working with UC San Diego researchers on projects focusing on metamaterials and micro and nanomotors.

“In an effort towards future collaborations, we’re building a bridge between the leading materials program in China and the only nanoengineering department in the United States,” said Joseph Wang, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of NanoEngineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego, who co-organized the event with Mei.

The joint workshop was held to honor Wang in his appointment as Honorary Professor of Fudan University. He received the honorary professorship in recognition of his pioneering contributions in nanoscience, nanomachines and nanobiotechnology.

On behalf of Fudan University, Professor Yongfeng Mei (left) and Ms. Ann Wenqing Tang, Associate Dean of International Relations (center)  present Professor Joseph Wang (right) with an Honorary Professor Award.

Joseph Wang (right) presents a UC San Diego banner to Fudan University.

At the workshop, Wang presented his lab’s work on nanomachines for medical, military, security and environmental applications. Examples include the first demonstration of nanomachines in living animals, nanomachines for cleaning up carbon dioxide pollution in water and microcannons that could fire drug-filled nanobullets at disease targets.

Other UC San Diego nanoengineering professors who gave talks at the event were:

Yi Chen

Talk title: Cell Membrane-Mediated DNA Nanostructure Formation

Description: The assembly of membrane proteins and membrane-associated proteins triggers various fundamental biological processes including cell uptake, signal transduction and inter-cellular communication. DNA nanotechnology, which enables precise control on the nanometer scale, is an alternative way to unravel such mechanisms. Chen’s lab used membrane-assisted assembly of DNA 2-D array nanostructures to mimic the pattern produced by assembly of triskelion. The successful construction of such membrane structures was confirmed by atomic force microscopy imaging.

Zhaowei Liu

Talk title: High Speed Super Resolution Microscopy

Description: Liu’s group developed high speed super resolution microscopy for various biological applications. His team demonstrated a new super resolution technique that achieves 50 nanometer wide field imaging at real movie speed.

Liangfang Zhang

Talk title: Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery, Detoxification and Vaccination

Description: Zhang reported on the biological functionalization of polymeric nanoparticles with a layer of membrane coating derived from natural red blood cells (RBCs). This approach aims to camouflage the nanoparticle surface with the erythrocyte exterior for long circulation while retaining the applicability of the cores that support the RBC membrane shell. In vivo results revealed superior pharmacokinetics and biodistribution by the RBC-mimicking nanoparticles compared to control particles coated with the state-of-the-art synthetic stealth materials. Three types of exciting applications of this biomimetic nanoparticle system were discussed: drug delivery, systemic detoxification and toxin vaccination.