Ph.D. Polymer Materials, Sichuan University, 1999
     B.S.E  Organic Technology, Wuhan Inst. of Chem. Tech., 1989

Research Activities:

Topic Area: Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (MION) as a Drug Carrier

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MION) have been widely and intensively used as a MRI enhancer or studied as a drug delivery carrier candidate. Our study is dedicated to the double applications as a MRI enhancer and a drug delivery system of MION simultaneously.

As a drug delivery carrier of MION for the brain tumor treatment, usually, we have to conjugate some drug and targeting protein etc. on the surface. An external magnetic field is also needed to guide the magnetic particle to the targeting site such as tumor. In this case, the strong magnetic response force and thus higher saturation magnetization and larger size are wished. Here, we have to consider the particle half-life time in the circulation due to the macrophage clearance for the larger size and the difficulty of particle transfer through brain blood barrier. Once the particle reaches the targeting site, we wish it will not be washed out quickly due to the blood flow. On the other hand, as a MRI enhancer, the particle is small in size generally. Clearly, some factors and requirements are in conflict.

What kind of magnetic properties is suitable for both the applications?

What kinds of structures match both the applications?

The purpose of my project is to design and synthesize some kinds of structures of MION for the applications.

Publications:

Shengdong Zhu, Faquan Yu, etc. Production of ethanol from microwave-assisted alkali pretreated wheat straw, Process Biochemistry, 2006, 41:869–873.

Shengdong Zhu, Faquan Yu, etc. Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation of Microwave/Alkali Pre-treated Rice Straw to Ethanol, Biosystems Engineering, 2005, 92 (2): 229-235.

Chi Chang, FaquanYu*, Liangjun Zhang, Synthesis of Tetrabromobisphenol-A Polycarbanate by Orthogonal Experiments, Chemistry & Bioengineering (in Chinese), 2005,5:24-26.

Faquan Yu*, Renxi Zhuo. A Novel Method for the Preparation of Core-shell Nanoparticles and Hollow Polymer Nanospheres. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2004, 91(4):2594-2600.

Yanping Liu, Lin Wu, Faquan Yu*. Synthesis and Degradation Behaviors of Chain-extended or Cross-linked Polyanhydrides, Chemistry & Bioengineering (in Chinese), 2005,8:31-33.

Faquan Yu*, Renxi Zhuo. Synthesis and Characterization of OH-Terminated Poly(trimethylene carbonate)s by Alcohol-Initiated Ring-Opening Polymerization in Melt Bulk without Using Any Catalyst. Polymer Journal, 2004, 36(1):28-33.

Ruan Chi, Faquan Yu et al. Recovery of Rare Earth from Bastnasite by Ammonium Chloride Roasting with Fluorine Deactivation, Minerals Engineering, 2004,17:1037-1043.

 Faquan Yu*, Renxi Zhuo. Synthesis, Characterization, and Degradation Behaviors of End-Group-Functionalized Poly(trimethylene carbonate)s, Polymer Journal, 2003, 35(8): 671-676.

Faquan Yu*, Yanping Liu, Shuren Yao. A New Method to Synthesize Microcapsule and its Application in Controllable Photodegradation of Polymers, Polymer Journal, 2002,34(4):302-305.

Presentations:

Faquan Yu. Novel Method for the Preparation of Core Shell Nanoparticles, IUPAC Macro, 2002, Beijing.

Faquan Yu. A Route to Controllable Photodegradation of Polymer, The 16th Annual Meeting of Polymer Processing Society (PPS-16), 2000, Shanghai.

Brief Biography:

Dr.Yu, born in China, especially likes to go on a hike in mountain or forest areas, enjoying the natural landscape, listening to the birds' songs, and breathing the fresh air. He also likes to travel by train, chatting with natives to learn some local custom and culture. Besides doing experiments on polymer and magnetic particles, he likes to do some crafts, cook, and play sports. Spicy foods, with a little beer, are his favorite. His biggest wish is to view our planet from space.