EBM Interview: Chunming (CM) Wang

Chunming (CM) Wang is a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Macau (UM). His research focuses on developing glycan- and macrophage-based therapy to promote tissue regeneration. CM joined UM in October 2012 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor and full Professor in 2018 and 2022, respectively. Before that, he received BSc and MSc in Biochemistry from Nanjing University (China) and PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and undertook his postdoctoral training at the University of Cambridge (UK) with Wilhelm Huck and Fiona Watt. He is a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC, UK) and has received multiple prestigious grants, including the Excellent Young Scientist Grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Key R&D Project from Macau Science and Technology Development Fund. He co-founded a company in Macau to translate the developed technology into clinical trials, which has recently been supported by industrial sponsorship. In addition, he serves as the director of the research support office at his university and starts this year to teach a new course on biomaterials to undergraduate students.

Here's the interview we did with him:

1. Could you briefly introduce your current research field?

We have long been interested in glycan molecules and attempting to harness their versatile yet subtle bioactivities for promoting tissue repair. Specifically, we control the physical properties of poly- and oligo-saccharides and understand their structure-function relationship. Based on the results, we process the glycans into biomaterials for specific purposes in various forms and scales to reshape the matrix of impaired tissue or organs. We put it as ‘inventing sweet recipes for our sour body’ (… sounds like a cooking show).

2. What obstacles or difficulties have you encountered in your research work? How did you overcome these difficulties?

The general obstacle is that we face obstacles every day and can eventually only overcome some of them. A specific obstacle? Let me talk about a recent case. We discovered a sulphated glycan with binding affinity for a protein from screening results in 2020 and wished to use it to activate something. And we failed, both in vitro and in vivo. Then, we realised it was because we only took into consideration the biochemical affinity of this sugar while overlooking the biophysical requirements for the desired activation. Thus, we re-engineered the system by providing some toughness (well… technically, stiffness) – and it worked, leading to successful experiments and interesting findings eventually published in the Journal of Hepatology. Remember the old English idiom ‘cannot see the wood for the trees?’ That was my main problem.

3. What attracted you to join the BAM editorial Board team?

Two reasons. The first was the fantastic people. Back in 2019/2020, I knew exactly how hard the two chief editors and the folks on the board worked to uphold the scientific quality of this journal at the very beginning, aimed at serving this thriving community. We had conversations with my hats off to them. The second reason was I had served as an editor for another journal before and knew the challenges of inviting reviewers and maintaining the quality of the published papers. As a member of this biomaterials community, I could not wait to contribute and did not think for a second when receiving the invitation.

4. What are your expectations for the future development of Bioactive Materials and its promotion of related fields?

The past few years have witnessed the incredible development of this journal, thanks to everyone involved. I think the journal needs to – which it is already doing, and quite well – engage with reviewers and authors more dynamically. When a journal is flying to the next level, the authors and the community have higher expectations that, in some sense, might possibly translate into anxiety and pressure. Dialogues and creative ideas are always crucial.

5. What is your greatest hobby outside of scientific work?

I love travelling and reading – a few hours ago I was reading David Nicholl’s new novel when transiting in Auckland’s airport. Routinely, I am an avid spectator of both rugby codes and football as well, with my kids training with local rugby and soccer clubs in Macau.

6. How do you balance scientific research work and personal life?

No secrets; I just always remind myself that I am an ordinary person with limited energy, unable to say yes to everything. Peter Drucker said, ‘there is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.’ I focus on quality and fully commit my energy to doing the things that really matter. In addition, I am resolute about spending time with family on Saturdays. 

7. What do you think is the most important quality for researchers?

As a researcher, be curious. As a person, be humble.