In 2026, the literature reward activity launched by Jinyuankang Biotechnology attracted numerous participants, including high scoring achievements. Recently, we received a research paper with an impact factor of up to 20.3. This research developed an intelligent hydrogel driven by near-infrared light（ Co-BOS@C /F Gel）， By synergistically removing drug-resistant bacterial biofilms through photothermal and photocatalytic methods, and utilizing photothermal triggered self contraction behavior to accelerate wound closure, while promoting collagen deposition and angiogenesis, an integrated treatment of "sterilization contraction regeneration" has been achieved.
In order to gain a deeper understanding of the story behind the research, we conducted a special interview with the first author of the paper, Professor Mo Dong. He not only interpreted the core breakthrough of this "one stone, four birds" strategy in plain language, but also shared for the first time the key support of cell experiments in research - the experience of using Jinyuankang fetal bovine serum, and his unique insights on how high-quality serum can assist high-level research.
1、 Dialogue · Craftsmanship: Teacher Mo Dong Talks about Serum, Cells, and the "Invisible Heroes" Behind High Scores
Q1: Could you first introduce your research direction and main topic?
Focusing on the design, construction and application of intelligent biological nano materials in tissue repair, focusing on the development of light responsive metal sulfide heterojunction, polyphenol nano materials, bionic nano enzyme, temperature sensitive degradable hydrogel and other material systems, through the bidirectional regulation of the generation and removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) driven by near-infrared light, it realizes the efficient removal of drug resistant bacterial biofilm infection and the improvement of inflammatory microenvironment, and is applied to the research of tissue repair and regeneration of diabetes wounds, infectious wounds, acute liver/kidney injuries, bone defects, periodontitis and other diseases.
Q2: Your recently published paper has an IF value of 20.3. Can you share with us the main content and breakthrough achievements of this research in plain language?
Of course. We have developed an intelligent hydrogel dressing driven by near-infrared light, called Co-BOS@C /F Gel。 In short, it is to put a kind of nano material that can efficiently convert light energy into a temperature sensitive hydrogel. When irradiated with near-infrared light, the material simultaneously generates heat and reactive oxygen species for sterilization, like a "hot knife+stinger" that destroys drug-resistant bacteria and their biofilms - with a clearance rate of over 95% against MRSA biofilms. More interestingly, the light will make the hydrogel shrink by itself, reducing the wound area by about 43% within 10 minutes, like an invisible hand pulling the edge of the wound together. After stopping illumination, chondroitin sulfate degraded from hydrogel can also promote angiogenesis and collagen deposition. In mouse experiments, the wound healing rate reached 96% after 9 days. So the breakthrough of this research lies in a material that can kill bacteria and pull wounds together under light, and promote regeneration in the absence of light, completely solving the problem of difficult healing of infected wounds.
Q3: What do you think is the biggest innovation of this study?
The biggest innovation is to build an intelligent hydrogel system with near-infrared light driven "self shrinking" function for the first time, integrating photothermal/photocatalysis synergistic antibacterial and mechanical force to promote wound closure. In the past, few materials were able to actively "pull" wounds. We have utilized the temperature sensitive properties and dynamic covalent bonds of F127 to achieve controllable physical contraction under light, which is a new approach in the repair of infectious wounds.
Q4: In the study, you mentioned the use of cell culture reagents such as fetal bovine serum. May I ask what prompted you to choose Jinyuankang's fetal bovine serum product at that time? What were its performances in your experiment?
Previously, our laboratory used CellBox and Yikesai brand fetal bovine serum. However, due to the tight funding for our project last year, we attempted to switch to another brand and accidentally came across relevant product information and trial products from Jinyuankang. After use, it was found that the cell state was stable, and subsequent related experiments proceeded smoothly.
Q5: How do you judge the "superior performance" of a serum product? Should we focus more on the proliferation rate of cells, the stability of specific phenotypes, or other indicators?
For basic research, especially primary cells and stem cells, I will prioritize specific phenotypes and functional stability, followed by proliferation rate.
Q6: In your opinion, what are the important aspects of high-quality serum products for cell experiments? Do you have any experience recommending other researchers or laboratories to use Jinyuankang products?
The importance of high-quality serum for cell experiments is mainly reflected in the following five aspects:
1. Maintain cellular physiological homeostasis: Serum provides growth factors, hormones, attachment factors, and nutrients, which are the core of the extracellular microenvironment of cells. Poor quality serum can lead to cellular metabolic disorders, abnormal morphology, or premature aging, directly affecting the biological authenticity of experimental data.
2. Ensure experimental reproducibility: Serum is a natural extract, and inter batch differences are the largest variable. High quality serum has strict inter batch consistency control (stable indicators such as endotoxin, hemoglobin, protein content, etc.), which is a prerequisite for experimental reproducibility and inter group comparability.
3. Reduce background interference: Low endotoxin levels (<5 EU/mL, preferably<1 EU/mL) and low hemoglobin levels can avoid non-specific inflammatory activation or oxidative stress, which is particularly crucial for immunology, stem cell, and primary cell research.
4. Support special cell functions: Primary cells, stem cells, and sensitive cell lines have extremely high requirements for serum quality. High quality serum can not only maintain proliferation, but also preserve the multi-directional differentiation potential, specific marker expression, and functional activity of cells (such as the angiogenesis ability of endothelial cells).
5. Impact on downstream applications and animal experiments: Serum components may interfere with virus packaging efficiency, antibody production, or drug screening results. If the serum contains mycoplasma or virus contamination, it can directly lead to the failure of animal experiments.
Normally, students in the laboratory will communicate with each other and share their recent experience using new brand products (including Jinyuankang products) in the laboratory.
2、 Decoding · breakthrough: light and heat+shrinkage+regeneration, how can a dose of hydrogel defeat the biofilm of drug resistant bacteria
In the conversation, Teacher Mo vividly described the essence of this research using "hot knife+poisonous thorn" and "invisible hand". Behind these metaphorical images lies a rigorous material design and detailed data support. Next, we will decode how this hydrogel plays the quartet of "sterilization contraction regeneration" in the most concise way.
Pain Point Direct: Why is it difficult for wounds infected with drug-resistant bacteria to heal?
After being attacked by drug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA, the skin can form a "biofilm fortress" composed of extracellular polymers in just 24 hours. This natural barrier can not only block the penetration of antibiotics, but also help bacteria escape immune attacks, leading to repeated infections and prolonged healing of wounds. Traditional debridement and antibiotic treatment often neglect one aspect and lack the ability to actively close wounds and promote tissue regeneration.
Design idea: defect engineering+intelligent hydrogel
The research team prepared cobalt doped bismuth oxysulfide (Co BOS) nanosheets rich in oxygen vacancies through cobalt doping and oxygen vacancy defect engineering. This strategy extends the absorption spectrum of the material to the near-infrared region, enabling efficient photothermal conversion (η=34.09%) and sustained production of reactive oxygen species (superoxide anions · hydroxyl radicals) under 808 nm laser irradiation. Then, Co BOS nanosheets were embedded into temperature sensitive self shrinking hydrogel (C/F Gel) to form host guest structure Co-BOS@C /F Gel。
One stone, four birds: four sets of core data
Animal experiment verification: a leap from sterilization to rebirth
In the mouse MRSA biofilm infection model, Co-BOS@C /The combination of F Gel and NIR illumination group showed:
U Accelerated closure: hydrogel can significantly shorten the healing cycle through self contracting mechanical force while adapting to irregular wounds in situ;
U tissue regeneration: Immunofluorescence staining showed high expression of CD31 (a marker of angiogenesis), Ki67 (a marker of cell proliferation), and COL-I (type I collagen);
Biosafety: No significant toxicity was found in the histological examination of major organs, and the material has good in vivo compatibility.
Conclusions and Prospects
This study successfully developed an intelligent Co-BOS@C /F hybrid hydrogel ingeniously solves the triple barrier of "bacteria difficult to remove, wound difficult to close, and tissue difficult to regenerate" in the wound infected by drug-resistant bacteria. Through the combination of defect engineering and intelligent hydrogel design, the strategy of "one stone, four birds" under a single material has been realized, which has laid a solid foundation for the future clinical development of antibiotic free and efficient wound repair consumables.
Original link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.12.049
Behind the 'weapon' to conquer drug-resistant bacteria lies the 'temperature' of a bottle of serum
From defect engineering to intelligent hydrogel design, from photocatalysis sterilization to mechanical force to promote healing, the research of Professor Qian Zhiyong's team has provided a new "antibiotic free and efficient" solution for wound repair caused by drug-resistant bacteria infection. And every step of scientific research implementation, from the synthesis of high-performance materials to the stability of every bottle of serum in cell experiments, is the cornerstone that determines the success or failure of research.
Thank you for Professor Mo Dong's sincere sharing, and we look forward to more domestic reagent brands collaborating deeply with high-level research teams to jointly promote China's scientific research forward.
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