XMU‐100 Anniversary Special Issue

This year, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of Xiamen University. Since its foundation in 1921, Xiamen University has made significant contributions to the fields of chemistry, life science and materials science. This special issue is therefore dedicated to celebrating the 100th anniversary of Xiamen University. Since its development over 100 years, Xiamen University has become one of the prestigious institutions of higher education in China. The development of its advantageous disciplines—chemistry, life science and materials science—keep pace with the growth of Xiamen University, and several research platforms were built to support scientific research in the past years. In 1990, the State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface was founded to promote the study of chemical catalysis, micro/nano-fabrication technologies, functional materials, structures and working mechanisms of solid surface or interface in various systems, as well as the integration of multi-discipline. In 2011, the State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology was established, with a focus on the biology and behavior of cell stress response to external stimuli and cell carcinogenesis. In 2014, the Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials was inaugurated, aiming to motivate innovation in interdisciplinary research on chemistry, energy materials, healthcare materials and new energy. In 2017, the disciplines of chemistry and biology at Xiamen University were listed in the Double First-Class University Plan of China. With the substantial support of research platforms, high-level education and an ensemble of distinguished scholars, Xiamen University has made significant scientific achievements in the field of chemistry, life sciences and materials science, such as gene-editing technology, small molecule signaling, meso-functionalization, and microfluidics-based techniques, which give rise to breakthroughs in biosensing, healthcare etc. Evidently, these fit in well with the scope of Small Methods. This special issue provides several reviews and research articles contributed by authorities in these fields from Xiamen University, with major attention paid to chemical synthesis, cancer prognosis and therapy, healthcare and flexible functional materials, and flexible electronics. Concerning the chemical synthesis and characterization, Zhong-Qun Tian et al. (article number 2001034) highlight the construction of molecular junctions applying micro/nanofabrication techniques, giving rise to significant progress in electronic devices research. Similarly, Wenjing Hong et al. (article number 2001064) summarize various types of electronic noise characterized in single-molecule electrical detection. This review also presents a solution to the problems concerning the charge transport through single-molecule junctions. Su-Yuan Xie et al. (article number 2001086) highlight the important progress in the synthesis of carbon nanocones and carboncones. Obviously, this review sheds light on the research concerning single-walled carboncones in the years to come. Moreover, La-Sheng Long et al. (article number 2000777) report a new method that assembles gigantic heterometallic metal clusters in terms of high nucleation rate. Zhao-Xiong Xie et al. (article number 2000447) present a new approach of tuning the structure of nanocrystals by tailoring the chemical potential of growth units. Nanfeng Zheng et al. (article number 2000603) report a simple and selective method for the synthesis of Cu-containing mixed metal nanocluster. Jian-Feng Li et al. (article number 2000993) provide a novel approach for quantitative surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis based on the kinetics of chemisorption. Longwu Ye et al. (article number 2000673) summarize reaction selectivity, scope, mechanism, and applicability of radical reactions of ynamides. In the area of cancer prognosis and therapy, Chaoyong Yang et al. (article number 2001131) review the biogenesis and significance of exomes as a biomarker for non-invasive liquid biopsy, and summarize microfluidic-based methods for exosome isolation and detection. Jinhao Gao et al. (article number 2001025) cast an overview on the development of advanced imaging technologies in the prediction of the treatment response of cancer therapy, and outline the future technology of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the field of medical imaging. Gang Liu et al. (article number 2000416) present a novel method that develops a tumor-specific nano-riceball for personalized nanomedicine, with high drug stuffing content, ultrasound-enhanced synergistic sono-chemotherapy and controllable release. Guo-Jun Zhang et al. review NIR-II fluorescence materials for image-guided surgeries. In the field of cell biology, Zhenghong Zuo et al. report a nanosafety assessment about the regulation of RNA m6A modification by black phosphorus quantum dots induced cell ferroptosis. Xi Huang et al. (article number 2001135) highlight the exciting development in a tool to orchestrate gene expression in yeast by programmable manipulation of DNA interaction, which can be further applied to screen biomedical molecules that are effective on the organization of chromosome conformation. Concerning flexible smart sensing, Meidan Ye et al. (article number 2001041) provide a survey on the recent progress on flexible microstructural pressure sensors. The review covers various materials and wearable electronic devices fabrication, strategies, and applications. Based on cocoon silk mesoscopic functionalization and intermolecular nucleation strategy, Xiang Yang Liu et al. (article number 2000926) introduce a unique and innovative approach in fabricating a new type of meso bio-active enzymatic sensing, permitting the biosensing of glucose and lactate with unusual long, sensitive and stable performance. Hao Wang et al. (article number 2001055) develop a series of wireless, flexible, and biocompatible pressure sensors for detection of human body motion signals with long term, good cycling stability and high sensitivity. This demonstrates the potential in fabrication of wearable devices with ideal heat resistance and stretchability. In the aspects of materials functionalization, Rong-Jun Xie et al. (article number 2000889) report the development in aqueous inks for in situ printing patterned MAPbBr3/polyvinyl alcohol films. This technique promises the fabrication of high-resolution mini/micro-LED displays. Concerning the research on thin film energy devices, Cheng Li et al. (article number 2000441) apply phenylbutylammonium bromide to passivate surface defects of the perovskite film, enabling high-efficient light-harvesting and decrease of open-circuit voltage for the fabrication of high-performance perovskite solar cells. In the case of nano fabrication, Youhui Lin et al. (article number 2001060) summarize various nanofabrication methods and corresponding applications of patterning natural polymers. Jun Xu et al. (article number 2001056) develop efficient separators for rechargeable batteries by integrating a conductive polymer with the amorphous metal oxide, which holds promise for the fabrication of high-performance batteries. This special issue highlights some latest developments in various research areas of chemistry, biology and materials science achieved by fellow colleagues from Xiamen University. We hope that the contents can inspire global scientists from different disciplines to join in these attractive fields. It is also our desire that this issue can serve as an introduction that stimulates and facilitates more collaborations between Xiamen University and other institutions worldwide. Finally, we would like to thank all the authors, Dr. Xi Wen, and the editorial team of Small Methods for their great efforts in the publication of this special issue. Xiang-Yang Liu received his Ph.D. degree from the Radboud University Nijmegen (Netherlands) in 1993. He is a tenured full professor at the National University of Singapore, and the State Distinguished Professor, Chair Professor of the Changjiang Scholars Program. He serves as a councilor of the International Organization for Crystal Growth, Chairman (5th) of the Asian Association for Crystal Growth and Crystal Technologies. His research interests include biomimetics, crystallization, biomimetics, flexible materials, flexible election, etc. Chaoyong Yang received his Ph.D. degree from University of Florida in 2006 and conducted his postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley (2006–2007). He is currently a professor at Xiamen University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and associate editor of ACS Applied Bio Materials. His research is focused on molecular recognition, high throughput evolution, single cell analysis, and microfluidics. Dawang Zhou received his Ph.D degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2006. He conducted postdoctoral research and then became an instructor at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He is currently Vice President of Xiamen University and Dean of Life Sciences at Xiamen University. His laboratory is interested in elucidating genetic and biochemical mechanisms that regulate tissue regeneration, organ size and cancer.