"Do not confine your research to the ‘known’—venture boldly into the ‘unknown’ and never stop asking ‘why’."
"Every failure is a step closer to success; every subtle discovery holds the potential to spark transformative change."
……
Recently, Dr. Chunying Chen, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered an EIT Engineering Lecture Series talk at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (EIT). Her talk, Nano-Bio Interface-Based Strategy for Drug Delivery, offered a deep dive into the frontiers of nanoscience research.
Lecture in Session
"Minute Data Deviations Often Conceal Pivotal Scientific Discoveries"
From the initial in vivo reactions of nanomaterials and the formation mechanisms of the protein corona to the nuanced processes of material metabolism and transformation, Dr. Chunying Chen deconstructed the core principles of the nano-bio interface with a problem-driven, layered approach.
Focusing on these interactions, she elucidated the protein corona effect and metal-ion adjuvant mechanisms in accessible terms: "The interfacial interplay between particles and biological systems is the linchpin for precise drug targeting and high-efficacy function, directly governing in vivo metabolism and immune regulation."
With decades of deep commitment to nanobiomedicine, Dr. Chunying Chen has achieved remarkable success in the realms of medical nanomaterials, nanomedicine, and biological interface regulation.
Leading her team, she has established highly sensitive characterization methods to map the adsorption patterns of biomolecules. Her prolific output includes over 400 publications in top-tier international journals, amassing more than 53,000 citations—work that has become foundational to the discipline.
Notably, her team has developed a novel mRNA delivery system leveraging manganese-ion complexation stabilization technology. This platform offers both robust stability and intrinsic immune adjuvant properties, demonstrating exceptional tumor suppression in preclinical models and laying a solid foundation for the clinical translation of nanomedicines.
Dr. Chunying Chen shares her research
Reflecting on her enduring motivation, Dr. Chunying Chen said: "In research, there is no substitute for patience. One must immerse oneself in the details, commit to a long-term vision, and resist the lure of short-term gains. That is how meaningful, lasting work gets done."
Students listen attentively
"An Excellent Question—Scale Is the Very ‘Lifeblood’of Nanoresearch"
"Do the fundamental work, and do it with depth and care. That is how cutting-edge research may serve the clinic and benefit society." Drawing on her own experience, Dr. Chunying Chen urged the young scholars to persevere, commit to deep work, and search for new ideas at the intersections of disciplines.
The interactive Q&A session buzzed with energy and engagement. Professor Ming Zhou, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and Dean of the College of Engineering at EIT and Professor Pu Chen, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and Chair Professor at EIT, engaged in substantive exchanges with Dr. Chunying Chen. Students eagerly raised their hands, brimming with questions.
Dr. Chunying Chen engages with faculty and students
"Academician Chen, why is the size effect of nanoparticles so pivotal to research? In our experiments, we often struggle with precise size control—how can we improve?" inquired a student.
Dr. Chunying Chen responded with a smile, "An excellent question. Scale is indeed the very ‘lifeblood’ of nanoresearch. To give a simple example, a 10-nanometer particle and a 100-nanometer particle can exhibit profoundly different behaviors—their metabolic pathways and targeting efficacy in vivo diverge completely."
Faculty and students pose questions
Another student asked, "What are the unique advantages of manganese as an adjuvant, and how can we better harness its potential in subsequent studies?"
"The advantage of manganese lies in its dual functionality," Dr. Chunying Chen replied. "It acts as a single agent capable of both stabilizing the mRNA delivery system and serving as an immune adjuvant. This is a rare and valuable attribute in nanomedicine development."
Patiently addressing each query, she shared a piece of wisdom: "Maintain your curiosity. Do not be limited by what is already ‘known’; venture to explore the ‘unknown’, and constantly ask ‘why’. The magic of science resides precisely in this perpetual cycle of breakthrough and innovation. Every failure is a step closer to success; every subtle discovery holds the potential to spark transformative change."
EIT Engineering Lecture Series
The "EIT Engineering Lecture Series" is a high-level, research-intensive academic lecture series hosted by College of Engineering. It regularly invites distinguished experts and scholars from around the globe to engage in deep dialogue and intellectual exchange on cutting-edge scientific frontiers and cross-disciplinary research, with the overarching goal of fostering academic innovation and catalyzing research collaboration.
