May 6-8, 2012, Prof. Jaebum Choo, Head of Department of Bionano Engineering at Hanyang University of Korea, paid a visit to YIC-CAS for research communication. In Korea, Prof. Choo is also the Director of Center for Integrated Human Sensing System, the Director of Institute of Nanosensor Technology and the Vice-Director of Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute.

Prof. Choo has worked on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based and microfluidic-based immunoassay. In recently years, his main research interests include 1) Early Disease Diagnosis Using Immunoanalysis in a Microfluidic Channel; 2) Development of Optofluidic Biosensor for Sensitive Biomarker Detection; 3) Highly Sensitive Biological Detection Using Nano-scale Optical Detection Technology; 4) Development of Highly Sensitive Laser-Induced Optical Microscopic System; 5) High Resolution Fluorescence Imaging of Cancer Cells Using quantum dot (QD) Nanocrystals; 6) Surface-enhanced Raman Imaging of Cancer Cells Using Functional Nano Probes; and 7) Application of Optical Phase Contrast Imaging for Early Cancer Diagnosis. Prof. Choo and his group have made great contributions in the above related aspects. He has published over 140 SCI papers in such international reputable journals as Nano Lett, Anal Chem and Lab Chip, and 2 books in English, as well as given over 90 invited oral presentations in international conferences. He possesses several professional memberships such as Editorial Board of Journal of Molecular Structure, Steering Committee Member of Society for Biomedical Photonics and Secretary General of Korea Biochip Society.

During his visit, Prof. Choo gave an excellent lecture entitled “Application of Bio-functionalized Metal Nanoparticles for Highly Sensitive Biological Detection”. In his presentation, he reported a quick and reproducible novel SERS-based microfluidic sensing technique, by elaborately using hollow gold nano spheres and magnetic beads, for a fast and highly sensitive immune analysis for various concentrations of biomarkers. Prof. Choo’s group have also fabricated corresponding potable detecting devices and successfully applied them to early cancerdiagnosis. Interested research staffs and postgraduates attended the lecture conference, and carried out in-depth discussion on concerned academic issues/problems and further cooperation.