Basic Science

Dawn for Global Quantum Communication

A joint team of the University of Science and Technology of China and Tsinghua University successfully achieved quantum teleportation over 16 km, more than 20 times of the current world record. This experiment proved the feasibility of quantum teleportation in free space over long distance for the first time, laid reliable foundations for the construction of a satellite relay-based global quantum communication network in the future and is an important step towards the final realization of a global quantum communication network. The contribution of this team to the free-space implementation of quantum teleportation has drawn wide attention in the international academic circles. It was thus reported by Nature Photonics as its cover story, and was reported subsequently by New Scientist, Physics Today, the website of the American Physical Society and many other media as well.

Focus on Molecular Assembly of Biomimetic Systems

Researchers of the Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry have been engaged in a research of molecular assembly of biomimetic systems and achieved series of research results in the past few years. Recently, they published a review article entitled “Self-assembly and application of diphenylalanine-based nanostructures” in the Chemical Society Reviews (Chem. Soc. Rev., 2010, 39, 1877-1890). This article, which was selected as the cover story of that issue, systematically introduced the work of this research group in the field of peptide-based molecular assembly in the past few years. Researchers fabricated series of peptide-based nanostructures based on the concept of molecular bionics using different peptides as self-assembly elements. Such self-assembled peptide nanostructure materials exhibit unique advantages in application. For example, they can be used in tissue engineering, drug delivery, bio-imaging and biosensors in the field of biomedicine, and also can be used as templates for the preparation of a variety of functional nanostructures. Self-assembly of peptide molecules can be designed and functionalized at molecular level in order to control the shape and structure of assembled structure (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2007, 46, 2431; Chem. Eur. J. 2008, 14, 5974.), which will facilitate our understanding of the formation and regulation of some structures in organisms. Under certain conditions, such peptide molecules can be assembled into nano-fibers and further result in the formation of macro gel scaffolds (Chem. Mater. 2008, 20, 1522; Chem. Eur. J. 2010, 16, 3176.). In addition, to provide novel properties to nanobiomaterials, researchers developed some new building strategies and prepared biological organic-inorganic composite materials. For example, biocompatible 3D colloidal spheres prepared by combination of cationic oligopeptides and luminescent quantum dots can be used as mark of living cells (Small, 2008, 4, 1687). Adaptive supramolecular networks built by combination of peptide molecules and polyvalent negative ions can be used in the encapsulation of multiple sizes of guest materials and have the potential to be used in drug controlled release (Adv. Mater.2010, 22, 1283).