Nano-Bio Physics Home >> Dr. Wei Chen

Wei Chen, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics
Associate Editor
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 
(www.aspbs.com/jnn)
Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology
(www.aspbs.com/jbn)

Phone 817-272-1064
Fax 817-272-3637
Email:weichen@uta.edu

Office: CPB 214: 817-272-1064
Mailing Address:
Department of Physics
University of Texas at Arlington
502 Yates, Science Hall, Room108
Box 19059
Arlington, TX 76019

Education:

Ph. D. in Chemistry, 1992, Peking University, Beijing, China
 
MS in Crystallography, 1988, Central South University, Changsha, China
 
BS in Mineral Chemistry, 1985, College of Earth Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China

PROFESSIONAL Experience

Research Interests

• Nanoparticle based therapeutics for cancer treatment
• We are interested in developing luminescence nanoparticle based therapeutics for cancer treatment, such as photodynamic therapy, radiotherapy and photo-therapy. We have proposed  a new concept of modality for cancer treatment that combines radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy . Under this concept, luminescent nanoparticles with attached photosensitizers are used as a new type of agent for photodynamic therapy.  Upon exposure to ionizing radiation such as X-ray, light will emit from the nanoparticles to activate the photosensitizers; as a consequence, singlet oxygen (1O2) is produced to augment the killing of cancer cells by ionizing radiation.  With this novel therapeutic approach, no external light is necessary to activate the photosensitizing agent within tumors.  Thus, we call this new modality nanoparticle self-lighting photodynamic therapy. This new concept of cancer modality will be more efficient for deep tumor but requires less radiation dose than conventional radiotherapy. 
• Nanoparticle based Dosimetry
  The development of scintillation nanoparticles and the demonstration of their applicability for dosimetry and radiation dose imaging.  Once the concept is successfully demonstrated, it will be a great improvement for dose control in radiotherapy and will greatly benefit cancer patients by offering protection to adjacent healthy tissues.

• Water soluble nanoparticles for In vivo oxygen (hypoxia) measurement in tumor
  Hypoxia is a common effect in tumor and is one of the major determinants of cancer resistance to radiation therapy, chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy.  It is of great importance to interrogate tumor oxygen concentration and distribution. In this project, we will demonstrate the potential for using near infrared nanoparticles and oxygen intensity quenching and time-resolved decay lifetime techniques for hypoxia imaging in tumor. 

• X-ray computed radiography improvement by quantum size confinement
  Computed radiography (CR) is a promising digital imaging technique that offers many advantages over conventional X-ray film techniques and other digital methods. However, current X-ray storage systems suffer from significant shortcomings, such as relatively low spatial resolution and slower image processing. In this project, we will use size effect as well s quantum size confinement to improve the X-ray storage imaging quality.

• Multifunctional nanoparticles for medical imaging
  In this project, we will design and fabricate multifunctional nanoparticles that can be used for targeting, fluorescence imaging as well as magnetic resonance imaging.  

AWARDS

Distinguished young scientist award by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1997

Honor award for the distinguished achievement in Science & Technology by State Education Commission of China, 1995

Honor award for the achievement in Science & Technology  by Peking University,1994