Office of International Research Promotion

Top > Vol.10 -Xue Qu

Name: Xue Qu		Nationality: China

Affiliated research center/ school in Waseda	55S-702, Research Institute for Science & Engineering, Okubo campus, Waseda University
Affiliated research institution at home country	State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Period of stay at Waseda	From 05/2007 to 08/2009

Subject of research
Super molecular chemistry: protein-based nanotube preparation and functionalization

My background in China

With my advisor Professor Shenguo Wang at ICCAS graduation ceremony

I was born in Nanyang, a small and quiet town in the south of China. There I spent my childhood in happiness. As the hope of my parents, I tried my best to get good grades in the school days. Life was almost calm except the cheers aroused from my school report. In 2001, after getting Bachelor's degree in Zhengzhou University, I was recommended to the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICCAS) to pursue my Ph.D. degree due to the outstanding performance in my major “Chemistry”. ICCAS is one of the best chemical research centers in China, and has a good reputation through the quality, breadth and depth of its research. There I met my advisor Professor Shenguo Wang, who is an important character in my academic life. Under his guidance, I had been engaged in Tissue engineering,

A new-emerged interdisciplinary field aimed to regenerate damaged or defective tissues, for more than five years. I accumulated a lot of advanced knowledge and expertise in materials science, cytology and molecular biology, which helped me make a big jump in the ability to conduct independent research. And thereby opened the door of science indeed. An interesting story during my Ph.D. course was that my initial image about Waseda University actually came from my advisor, since he pursued his Ph.D. degree at Waseda in the 1980’s. Long history, prominent scholars, good academic atmosphere and rich references described vividly by him attracted me so strongly that I began to have a dream that one day I can discover her real face by myself. Just after defending my Ph.D. thesis, I fortunately got a chance to continue my research career as a post-doctor at Waseda University. I accepted it without any hesitation because I know clearly that an opportunity in such a reputable university should not be missed.


Layer by layer assembled protein-based nanotube, with nano-scaled pore to be as a versatile carrier

My research life at Waseda

In May of 2007, with my heart full of hope and excitement, I arrived in Tokyo and began my first journey abroad. Just as my expectation, Waseda University is absolutely the heaven for scientists. Most advanced analytic instruments can be available even in my research group. Reagents and materials needed for research can be applied with no problem. Every person you met here is willing to help you no matter where you come from. I carry on my research work under the guidance of Professor Tsuchida and Professor Komatsu, who are famous in the field of developing artificial blood substitutes. Based on their pioneering work, I expand this chemistry to construct a new type of protein-based super molecular system and further develop its applications as drug, virus and bacteria carriers, which seems so different from my former versed project. However, I think the variety of the research fields I have touched will be benefit for my future growth as a scholar. My research work goes smoothly, and in August of 2007, with the cooperation of Professor Tsuchida, my application for a postdoctoral fellowship for foreign researchers from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) was approved successfully. It means I can prolong my research at Waseda University for another two years as well as get the strong financial support not only for the research project but also for my personal life.

Additionally, living and working at Waseda make it possible for me to learn about the Japanese culture closely. Although Japan was deeply influenced by ancient Chinese culture, she has kept her own distinctiveness with the evolvement of long history. I always find something fresh in my daily life which arouses my strong curiosity. For example, in Japan you cannot send 20000, 40000, or 60000 yen to a new couple as wedding gift, instead it should be 10000, 30000 or 50000 yen，which seems just the opposite of China. Nowadays I study Japanese at a language school during my spare time with the hope to learn Japanese culture and enjoy Japan-type life better.

It is a great fortune for me to come to Waseda and cooperate with Professor Tsuchida and Professor Komatsu. I believe that my research life at Waseda will be one of the most enriching experiences in my life. Meanwhile, I would like to express my gratitude to Waseda’s International Division, the International Community Center (ICC) and JSPS, which kindly offer support for me during my stay in Japan..

Wearing kimono at the 'new year gathering'　　 With Professor Komatsu (center) and other colleagues in the lab of Waseda

Conference papers

1.Xue Qu, Teruyuki Komatsu, Eishun Tsuchida. “Characterization of human serum albumin complex with fullerene derivatives” XIth International Symposium on Blood Substitutes Beijing, China (2007).
2. Xue Qu, Wenjin Cui, Fei Yang, Changchun Min, Hong Shen, Jianzhong Bei, Shenguo Wang, “The effect of oxygen plasma pretreatment and incubation in modified simulated body fluids on the formation of bone-like apatite on poly (lactide-coglycolide)(70/30)” Biomaterials 28, 9-18 (2007).
3. Xue Qu, Jianzhong Bei, Shenguo Wang, “Cell affinity of bone-like apatite coating modified poly(L-lactide-co- glycolide)” J. Tissue Eng. Reconst. Surgery 3, 15-18 (2007).
4. Xue Qu, Jianzhong Bei, Shenguo Wang, “Research on cell affinity of poly-L-lactide/porcine-derived xenogeneic bone composite in vitro” Chin. J. Repar. Reconst. Surgery 21,110-114 (2007).
5. Xue Qu, Yuqing Wan, Hanwei Zhang, Wenjin Cui, Jianzhong Bei, Shenguo Wang, “Porcine-derived xenogeneic bone/poly(glycolide-co-lactide-co-caprolactone) composite and its affinity with rat OCT-1 osteoblast-like cells ” Biomaterials 27, 216-225 (2006).
6. Xue Qu, Wenjin Cui, Jianzong Bei, Shenguo Wang, “A kind of natural derivative/synthetic composite scaffold material--Porcine-derived xenogeneic bone/poly(glycolide-co-lactide-co-caprolactone) composite” Tissue Eng. 12, 995 (2006).
　