Dr. Vincent Chan studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Minnesota (USA) and was awarded with his B.Sc. degree with distinction back in 1993. He embarked upon his doctoral study in the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Pennsylvania (USA) under the tutelage of Professor David J. Graves and was awarded with his Ph.D. degree in 1997.
After leaving Philadelphia, Dr. Chan joined the Genome Therapeutics Corporation in Boston, a biotechnology company that focused on the integrative applications of genetics and informatics for drug target identifications. From 2000 to 2016, he traveled to Southeast Asia to teach in three engineering disciplines, including mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. During this time, he also served as the Deputy Head in the Division of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from 2007 to 2010. In addition, he served as Associate Chair in the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, and managed two academic programs with over 1,000 students from 2010 to 2013. Since September 2016, he has assumed his new role as Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology at Khalifa University of Science and Technology in the United Arab Emirates.
Numerous biological processes involve the interaction of biomacromolecules with various surfaces such as the case of cellular mechanochemical transduction following ligand-receptor binding on a cell membrane. Another example is the use of immobilized enzymes on biocatalytic microparticles. Many molecules either bind specifically with their complement on the cell membrane or adsorb non-specifically on various materials (see Figure). Interestingly, the interfacial association of such molecules is sometimes followed by two-dimensional diffusion on the substrate. This process is well recognized on biological systems such as cell membranes as well as on artificial biomaterials or biosensors. The conformation, orientation, and function of surface-bound biomacromolecules like proteins can be important to molecular recognitions in biosensors. One of our main research trusts is to apply the bio-interfacial phenomena for the development of novel 2D biomaterials for antiviral and biosensor applications. In parallel, we will develop a replica virtual system (Biosensor DT) which is connected to the physical biosensor system through the establishment of data management system of collected biosensing data by in-line monitoring and machine learning analytics.
In general, most cellular functions are executed by a series of highly synergistic signaling pathways involving molecular recognition, catalytic reaction and phase partition of a vast number of biomacromolecules and small molecules under various constraints of molecular transport within specialized compartments, e.g., the nucleus (see Figure). In addition, the intricate interplay between transport processes and reaction kinetics plays a pivotal role in the embryogenesis, organ morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis, lymphatics, haemodynamics, paracellular permeability, tumor angiogenesis and tumor metastasis. As a result, a thorough understanding of key quantifiable physical parameters in biomolecular transport and kinetics of emerging molecular targets is critical to the translation of key research findings into new applications in biotechnology and bioengineering. For instance, the design of drug delivery systems composed of biopolymers and/or 2D biomaterials could benefit from the research in cell and molecular biophysics.
My group aims to perform highly interdisciplinary research in several areas of biomedical engineering including; i) Interfacial Biophysics, ii) 2D Biomaterials, iii) Biosensors.
Recent Publications
Constantly recruiting qualified candidates for pursuing Ph.D. in Engineering (Biomedical Engineering).
