Dr. Sergio Moya's visit to the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), from June 7th to July 8th, marked a significant milestone in the realm of cutting-edge nanoparticle research. During his stay, Dr. Moya engaged in a dynamic exchange with Prof. WANG Guocheng's research group, igniting collaborative efforts that promise to reshape the future of biomedical applications. 

Throughout his visit, Dr. Moya conducted fruitful discussions with each member of Prof. WANG's group, providing invaluable insights and individualized guidance for their ongoing research endeavors. His active participation in group meetings culminated in a captivating presentation titled "Biological Fate of Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications: Tracing Aggregation/Degradation In Vitro and In Vivo," a session open to the entire SIAT community. 

This visit served as a continuation of research initiatives initiated the previous year, with a strong likelihood of yielding another publication based on the profound outcomes generated during these interactions. Dr. Moya's exploration extended to Zhejiang University, where he shared his expertise through a seminar and explored various laboratory facilities. 

Furthermore, Dr. Moya seized the opportunity to engage with SIAT's international relations team, fostering discussions about potential collaborative research activities and extended research stays, setting the stage for future groundbreaking research endeavors. 

In the realm of scientific pursuits, the focus of Dr. Moya's overseas research primarily centered on the design and synthesis of PEGylated nanoparticles. Specifically, the modification of PEGylated poly allylamine hydrochloride (PEG PAH) polymers with glycans attached to the PEG ends opened up new avenues for targeted cell interactions with lectins. The resulting nanoparticles, synthesized with short and medium-sized PEG chains (approximately 12 to 15 PEG chains per polymer chain) in the presence of phosphate buffer, exhibited remarkable monodispersity, with radii spanning from 11 to 15 nm, contingent on the length of the PEG chains. 

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) studies uncovered that only one or two PAH chains played a pivotal role in nanoparticle formation, elucidating their exceptional monodispersity. These glyco-PEGylated PANs demonstrated a distinctive affinity for lectins due to surface sugar groups, outperforming BSA in terms of interaction strength. These groundbreaking findings have been published in the Journal of Colloids and Interface Science (Patricia Perez Schmidt et al., 2023). 

Concurrently, experiments regarding the formation of polyplexes with PEGylated PAH and siRNA are underway, with the results eagerly anticipated for publication. Polyplex formation investigations employ an array of techniques, including FCS, electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The spotlight remains on silencing CD147 for cancer immunotherapy through ongoing transfection experiments. 

This collaborative effort between China and Spain also includes the radiolabeling of PEG PAH for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies, a pivotal step towards comprehending the in vivo destiny of nanoparticles post intravenous administration. The synergy between researchers from different corners of the globe continues to unlock the potential of nanoparticles, offering a brighter and more promising future for biomedical applications. 

Take a group photo with the team during Dr. Moya 's visit. (Image by SIAT)