Research Areas

Prof. Ma’s research interests various aspects including the development of novel nanodiagnostic agents and antibody drugs, stem cell biology and vaccine engineering. Recent research in her laboratory utilizes bioinformatics, phage display, multi-omics and Mueller polarimetric imaging to identify new biomarkers of breast cancer, lung cancer and glioma. Her laboratory is also investigating in vivo theranostics and targeted therapy by using non-toxic nanomaterials including 3-helix micelle, carbon dots and graphene. 

Highlights

Prof. Ma has been devoted to the research and development of rapid immunochromatographic detection for years. She has established a self-dependent innovative platform for ultrasensitive, quantitative, multi-index nano rapid detection. She is the principal investigator and co-principal investigator of more than 40 national, ministerial, provincial and municipal research projects. Prof. Ma has published over 70 papers, obtained 30 issued patents, and participated in formulating 6 national and industry standards. Prof. Ma has developed several products for major disease detection. The fluorescent reagent co-developed with industry for rapid detection of influenza A and B obtained the Class III medical device certificate issued by CFDA in October 2018.

We developed a quantum dot-based lateral flow immunoassay system (QD-LFIAS) to detect influenza A virus subtypes both H5 and H9. In this design, antibodies of influenza A virus subtypes H5 and H9 were covalently attached to fluorescent tags-quantum dots (QDs). Once influenza A virus subtype H5 or H9 was added to the QD-LFIAS, it would be captured by the coating antibodies on QDs at test line 1 or 2 to form a sandwich complex. This complex produced a bright fluorescent band under 365 nm ultraviolet excitation. The intensity of fluorescence could be detected by using an inexpensive, low-maintenance instrument, and the virus concentration directly correlating with the fluorescence intensity. The detection limits of the QD-LFIAS for influenza A virus subtypes H5 and H9 were 0.016 HAU and 0.25 HAU, respectively. Detection results of H5 and H9 were performed with excellent specificity and reproducibility. The simple analysis procedure and quick test (<15 min) indicate that the QD-LFIAS is a highly-efficient test and can be used to monitor Influenza A virus subtypes H5 and H9 simultaneously.

Honors

• 2019    The second prize of Guangdong Science and Technology Award

• 2006    China Standard Innovation Award, Standardization Administration of China

• 2004    National innovation expert, China Federation of Trade Unions

• 2003    2003 China Economic Women of the Year, China Women's Federation

• 2002    New century women's outstanding inventor, China Women's Federation and China Intellectual Property Office

• 2002    National "three eight" red banner pacesetter, China Women's Federation

Selected Publications

1. Liu Bin; Yao Yue; Liu Ruiqi; Ma Hui*; Ma Lan*. Mueller polarimetric imaging for characterizing the collagen microstructures of breast cancer tissues in different genotypes. Optics Communications, 2019, Vol. 433, 60-67.

2. Li, J., Mao, M., Wu, F., Li, Q., Wei, L., & Ma, L. Amino-functionalized CdSe/ZnS quantum dot-based lateral flow immunoassay for sensitive detection of aflatoxin B1. Analytical Methods, 2018, 10(29), 3582–3588.

3. Feng Wu, Mao Mao, Yu Cen, Hongtian Yang, Zhifeng Qin and Lan Ma*. Copolymerization of Eu(TTA)3Phen doped styrene and methyl methacrylate nanoparticles and use in quantitative detection of pepsinogen. RSC Adv., 2017,7:12217-12223.

4. Yiwei Shu, Ho Nam Chan, Dongshi Guan, Hongkai Wu*, Lan M*.A simple fabricated thickness-based stiffness gradient for cell studies. Science Bulletin., 2017, 62(3): 222-228.

5. Feng Wu, Hang Yuan, Changhua Zhou, Mao Mao, Qian Liu, Huaibin Shen, Yu Cen, Zhifeng Qin, Ling Song Li* , Lan Ma*. Multiplexed detection of influenza A virus subtype H5 and H9 via quantum DoT-based immunoassay. Biosensors and Bioelectronic,, Biosensors and Bioelectronics., 2016, 77: 464-470.