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Dr Qi Zhi Chen

Dr Qi Zhi Chen

Dr Qi Zhi Chen is a Senior Lecturer in Materials Engineering under the Engineering Department at Monash University.

The particular emphasis of her research as related to nanosciences and nanotechnology is in the field of bone and heart tissue engineering and regeneration. She is investigating the design and fabrication of nanostructured artificial tissue, together with the interactions between living cells and nanomaterials.

There is world-wide clinical demand for the type of research Dr Chen is undertaking. The success of her studies in tissue engineering will have a profound impact on public health. Dr Chen aims to position Australia as a world leader in this field. Along the way, Australian patients suffering from bone and heart disease will be the first to benefit.

At Monash, Dr Chen has a successful collaboration with members of her Department. Internationally, she has maintained strong links with Imperial College, London, and is working alongside clinicians, cellular and molecular biologists, and biomechanics experts.

In addition to her primary areas of interest, Dr Chen is exploring other avenues of nanobiotechnology. She is focused on specifically targeted anti-cancer drug delivery and on a non-viral gene delivery system. By using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with nanosized magnetic particles, Dr Chen is investigating the dynamic imaging of a beating heart.

Nanoparticles are leaching into the nucleus of an osteoblast.

Above: Nanoparticles are leaching into the nucleus of an osteoblast – evidence showing that bioactive nanoceramics might regulate the gene express of bone regeneration (TEM image).

Selected Publications

Chen Q.Z., Harding S.E., Lyon A.R., et al. (2008) Biomaterials in cardiac tissue engineering: Ten years of research survey.Mater Sci Eng R 59, 1-37.

Boccaccini A.R., Chicatun F., Cho J., Bretcanu O. & Chen Q.Z. (2007). Carbon nanotube coatings on Bioglass®-based tissue engineering scaffolds.Advanced Functional Materials  17,2815-2822.

Chen Q.Z., Boccaccini A.R. (co-first author) & Jean-Mar C.J. (2007) Sintering, crystallisation and biodegradation behaviour of Bioglass®-derived glass-ceramics.Faraday Discussions136,27-44.

Chen Q.Z., Wong C.T., Lu W.W., et al. (2004)  Strengthening mechanisms of bone bonding to crystalline hydroxyapatite in vivo.Biomaterials 25(18) 4243-4254.