TOPIC INSIGHT • 專題探討 33 2025 UMAGAZINE 31 • 澳大新語 wound-healing process. On the other hand, M2 macrophages function as the body’s ‘repair engineers’, promoting tissue regeneration. Yet, an excessive presence of M2 macrophages may promote tumour recurrence or suppress hair follicle regeneration. To address these challenges, Prof Qu Songnan, professor in the Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, and his team conducted in-depth analysis and identified three key limitations in current therapies. First, although natural biomaterials like hydrogels can modulate immune responses between M1 and M2 macrophages, the rigid crosslinked structure of hydrogels cannot adapt to the dynamic microenvironment needed for tissue repair. Second, in tumour immunotherapy, tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) form an immunosuppressive barrier that significantly reduces the effectiveness of treatments. Finally, and most critically, existing treatments for chronic wounds lack precise methods to regulate the immune microenvironment. These findings prompted the team to raise an ambitious question: Could an intelligent material be developed to actively ‘communicate’ with the immune system and tackle these challenges at their root? After years of research, the team achieved a major breakthrough. By combining natural egg white protein with carbon nanodots, they created an innovative biomaterial called the ‘carbon-dot-linked egg white hydrogel’. This material features three transformative capabilities. First, it has an adaptive dynamic crosslinking structure that responds to the changing needs of tissue regeneration at different stages. Second, it incorporates a chronologically programmed drug delivery system that aligns precisely with therapeutic windows. Finally, and most critically, it can directly reprogramme the immune microenvironment by precisely modulating macrophage phenotypes (M1/M2 polarisation). This breakthrough marks a paradigm shift in biomaterials, evolving them from passive structural carriers into active systems that can modulate immune responses. medicinal plants. They discovered that Glycine tabacina (煙豆), a plant commonly found in Fujian and Taiwan, possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory potential. In traditional Chinese medicine, Glycine tabacina is used to relieve dampness, support the spleen and kidneys, and strengthen muscles and bones. However, its anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanisms have not been fully explored. Through modern pharmacological research, Prof He’s team revealed for the first time that coumestrol and isoflavonoids in Glycine tabacina can precisely regulate multiple inflammatory signalling pathways, including SYK, TAK1, PI3K, and NF-κB. Functioning like a ‘precision firefighting system’, these compounds not only reduce chronic inflammation but also promote bone repair and improve osteoporosis. Building on this discovery, the team combined traditional wisdom with modern technology to develop ‘Macao One Root’—a topical adhesive that can relax muscles, improve circulation, and effectively alleviate chronic inflammatory pain. This innovative product has already secured four invention patents, and the team is collaborating with medical product companies to scale up production. Prof He explains that the Chinese nickname for Glycine tabacina, ‘One Root’ (一條根), comes from a folk tale about a legendary herbal remedy in the Ming-Qing Dynasty. According to the tale, residents of the Kinmen Islands brewed tea or wine from Glycine tabacina roots to ease the rheumatic pain of soldiers struggling to adapt to the islands’ climate. ‘With modern technology, we are able to validate this ancestral knowledge. The “Macao One Root” patches honour history while demonstrating the dedication of Macao researchers,’ says Prof He. Groundbreaking Smart Anti-Inflammatory Biomaterial In medicine, the balance of macrophages functions like a precise regulator of health. M1 macrophages act as the body’s ‘defence forces’, responsible for attacking pathogens. However, if overactivated, they can cause chronic inflammation and disrupt the
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