1. Review of Discipline History
Biophysics is a secondary discipline within the first-level discipline of Biology at Xuzhou Medical University. As an interdisciplinary field, biophysics applies the concepts and methods of physics to study the relationship between structure and function at various levels of biological organization, the physical and physicochemical processes of life activities, and the physical characteristics of substances during life processes.
The Biophysics Master's degree program at Xuzhou Medical University was established to meet the growing demand for interdisciplinary talents in biomedical research. The discipline has developed a distinctive research system that integrates biophysics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, and cell biology, forming a multi-level and multi-method cross-disciplinary research framework. Over the years, the discipline has established collaborations with renowned institutions, continuously enhancing its research capacity and academic influence.
2. Main Research Direction of the Discipline
The discipline emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation across Biology, Basic Medicine, Clinical Medicine, and Pharmacy. It has developed two distinctive research directions:
Direction 1:Molecular Fluorescent Probe Construction and Application in Central Nervous System Disease Target Discovery and Drug Development
This direction focuses on developing highly sensitive, specific, visualizable, and biosafe molecular probes to investigate the mechanisms of occurrence and progression of CNS diseases related to neuroinflammation. By identifying disease-specific molecular markers, this research provides scientific evidence for target discovery and the development of effective preventive and therapeutic drugs for CNS diseases. This direction has formed a distinctive research system characterized by the application of molecular fluorescent probes in the study of neuroinflammatory processes, integrating biophysics, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology in a multi-level, multi-method cross-disciplinary approach. In recent years, this direction has secured NSFC-funded projects and published multiple SCI papers in high-impact journals.
Direction 2:Molecular Mechanisms of Protein Chemical Modifications in Major Diseases
This direction focuses on protein modification and degradation mechanisms using clinical surgical specimens. It investigates the role of ubiquitination-modified substrate protein degradation in the pathogenesis of nervous system tumors and digestive system tumors, screens for novel molecular therapeutic targets, and addresses key issues in the treatment of these malignancies. This direction has formed a distinctive research system characterized by the application of ubiquitination modification research in CNS and digestive system tumors, integrating biophysics, cell biology, and biochemistry. In recent years, this direction has secured NSFC-funded projects, provincial/ministerial projects, and published multiple SCI papers.
3. Discipline Leader and Team Introduction
Discipline Leader: Prof. Yi Liu
Dr. Yi Liu is a Professor, doctoral supervisor, and Vice Dean of the School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Medical University. He has been recognized as a "Blue Project" Young and Middle-aged Academic Leader of Jiangsu Province, a "Six Talent Summit" High-level Talent of Jiangsu Province, a recipient of the Xuzhou Top Ten Young Science and Technology Award, and an "Xuzhou Medical University Excellent Talent." He serves as a Council Member of the Jiangsu Chemical Engineering Society, an NSFC Project Review Expert, and a Discipline Evaluation Expert. He has led or completed 3 NSFC General Projects and published over 60 SCI-indexed papers. He holds 9 authorized invention patents as the first inventor and has received the Second Prize of Jiangsu Teaching Achievement Award as the first completer.
Core Team Members:
• Dr. Wenlong Du, Associate Professor, Master's Supervisor. Research focuses on antimicrobial mechanisms of nanomaterials and multi-omics bioinformatics analysis of tumors and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Dr. Youzhen Ma, Lecturer, Jiangsu Provincial Innovation and Entrepreneurship PhD. Research focuses on β-lactamase inhibitor design and diabetic encephalopathy.
• Prof. Feng Wang, Industry Professor, contributing expertise in biomedical industrial translation.
• Prof. Wenqi Meng, Associate Professor, specializing in biophysics research.
• Prof. Jiaquan Wu, Industry Professor, contributing to industry-academia-research integration.
• Prof. Xiaodong Yan, Industry Professor, Jiangsu Provincial Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent.
The discipline consists of faculty members with diverse academic backgrounds, forming a team with both dry-lab (computational) and wet-lab (experimental) capabilities. The team structure includes professors, associate professors, lecturers, and industry professors, providing comprehensive guidance for graduate students.
4. Scientific Research Status
In recent years, the discipline has undertaken significant research projects at various levels. These include multiple National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) projects, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation projects, Jiangsu Natural Science Foundation projects, and other provincial and municipal research initiatives.
The discipline has published over 50 SCI-indexed research papers in internationally renowned journals, including Chemical Society Reviews (IF 60.6), Diabetes, Chemical Engineering Journal (IF 13.3), Journal of Hazardous Materials (IF 12.2), Redox Biology, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Chinese Chemical Letters, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, and Materials Today Bio.
Key representative achievements include:
(a) A landmark study systematically elucidating the interplay among the mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathway, HDAC2, and Tau protein in cognitive dysfunction in diabetic encephalopathy, published in Diabetes. This study integrated animal experiments, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and molecular docking to comprehensively reveal the mechanism of luteolin's protective effects, filling a critical gap in the field.
(b) Discovery of a novel SltA-mediated azole resistance model in Aspergillus fumigatus, demonstrating that SltA coordinates the regulation of ergosterol synthesis genes and drug efflux pump genes in azole resistance. This work has been authorized as an invention patent.
(c) Design and optimization of innovative lysine-targeting irreversible covalent inhibitors to overcome NDM-1-mediated antibiotic resistance, validated both in vitro and in vivo, providing important references for novel anti-drug-resistant bacterial drug development.
The discipline has obtained 8 authorized patents, with 1 patent achieving technology transfer and commercialization. Team members have contributed a review article in Chemical Society Reviews (IF 60.6) on the detection of chemical agents in vitro and in vivo.
5. Strength of the Disciplinary Research Platform
The discipline is supported by a comprehensive research platform equipped with state-of-the-art instruments. Key equipment includes: Flow Cytometer (BD), Inverted Fluorescence Microscope (Olympus), Full-Wavelength Microplate Reader, Rodent Touch Screen Behavioral Analysis System (Campden, UK), Microinjection System (Olympus), Stereotaxic Brain Injection Instrument (RWD), Real-Time PCR Detection System, Chemiluminescence Image Analysis System, Bioinformatics Servers, CO₂ Cell Culture Incubator (Thermo Fisher), Cryogenic High-Speed Centrifuge (Thermo Fisher), Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer (Thermo Fisher), Vortex Mixer, Thermo Scientific Pipettes, Vacuum Freeze Dryer, Gradient PCR Instrument, and Ultrasonic Cell Disruptor.
The platform integrates both computational (dry-lab) and experimental (wet-lab) capabilities, providing students with comprehensive training in bioinformatics analysis, molecular biology, cell biology, and animal behavior studies. This robust infrastructure ensures that graduate students can conduct their thesis research efficiently and meet the requirements for high-quality scientific output.
6. Situation of Discipline Talent Cultivation
The discipline has established a comprehensive graduate curriculum covering core and elective courses: Advanced Medical Genetics, Biomacromolecules and Drugs, Neurobiology, Protein Engineering Research Progress, Neurobiology Laboratory, Professional English, and Biophysics Research and Progress. Elective courses include Computer-Aided Drug Design, Structural Biology, Pharmacology Progress, Medical Electron Microscopy Technology, Cell Biology, and Medical Paper Writing.
The discipline emphasizes the development of graduate research and innovation capabilities. Comprehensive protocols include laboratory entry and exit procedures, a "three assistants" management system (teaching, research, and management assistants), and a regular graduate assessment system. These frameworks provide an optimal environment for students to engage in scientific research training.
Students are actively encouraged to apply for research projects at various levels. Many master's graduates have been accepted into doctoral programs at prestigious universities, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Nanjing University. The discipline also attaches importance to training graduate supervisors, especially young faculty, and promotes international collaboration through joint training mechanisms.
7. Disciplinary Social Services
The discipline has established close collaborations with the biomedical industry, including the Suzhou BioBay, a nationally renowned biomedical industrial park. Through its industry-academia-research integration model, the discipline actively promotes the translation of research findings into practical applications. One authorized patent has achieved technology transfer and commercialization, demonstrating the discipline's commitment to bridging fundamental research with industrial applications.
Faculty members serve as reviewers for international journals and actively participate in academic exchange activities both domestically and internationally. The discipline contributes to science education promotion and talent training programs, enhancing public understanding of life sciences and biomedical research.
8. Enrollment and Employment
The discipline maintains a stable enrollment of master's students in the Biophysics program. The School of Life Sciences has established a comprehensive "collaborative education" mechanism to enhance the effectiveness of talent cultivation.
The discipline implements a "classified guidance" approach to provide precise employment services for students. Graduates have achieved outstanding employment outcomes, with an overall employment rate of 97.06% (2019 cohort) and an overseas/graduate school enrollment rate of 36.76%.
Graduates of the Biophysics program are well-prepared for careers in biomedical research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and academic institutions. Many alumni have been admitted to doctoral programs at prestigious universities, continuing their research in biophysics, bioinformatics, neuroscience, and related fields. The discipline's comprehensive training equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, making them competitive candidates in the job market and in further academic pursuits.
