34 專題探討 • TOPIC INSIGHT 澳大新語 • 2025 UMAGAZINE 31 曲松楠教授 Prof Qu Songnan 碳點蛋清凝膠的合成示意圖 Synthesis of the ‘carbon-dot linked egg white hydrogel’ has been published in leading international journals, including Advanced Science and Advanced Materials, and has been granted invention patents in mainland China. The project is now incubated at the UM Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with clinical trials expected to begin in two years. Emphasising the broader impact of their work, Prof Qu says, ‘This is not just a new material. It also serves as a versatile therapeutic platform with the potential to transform treatments for immune-related diseases.’ UM’s Anti-Inflammatory Philosophy From persistent skin rashes and chronic joint pain to cancer recurrence, many seemingly unrelated health issues stem from a common root cause: immune system dysregulation. Instead of relying on conventional immunosuppressive approaches, UM’s ‘fire brigade’ is pioneering innovative methods to reboot the immune system and restore the body’s natural balance. We look forward to seeing these groundbreaking studies move from the laboratory to clinical applications and, ultimately, to the market. This will offer hope to countless individuals in overcoming the challenges of inflammation and reclaiming their health and well-being. When applied to tumour resection sites, the carbon nanodots within the hydrogel function as a sophisticated precision guidance system. They effectively repolarise tumour-associated macrophages, shifting them from pro-tumour M2 phenotypes to tumour-suppressing M1 phenotypes. At the same time, they activate T cell-mediated immunity by disrupting PD-L1 expression on cancer cells. This innovative therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in animal trials, significantly reducing tumour recurrence rates and presenting a groundbreaking postoperative treatment strategy. The smart hydrogel also offers a revolutionary solution for chronic wounds. By releasing stage-specific regenerative signalling molecules, it transforms overactive M1 macrophages into pro-healing M2 phenotypes, significantly reducing the risk of amputations in diabetic patients. Equally impressive is its efficacy in hair follicle regeneration. The hydrogel’s degradation rate naturally synchronises with the hair growth cycle, while its precise immunomodulation activates dormant follicular stem cells, providing new hope for patients suffering from alopecia. Prof Qu and his team’s groundbreaking research
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