Vincent Chan, Ph.D

Associate Professor

Centre of Biotechnology

School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Division of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798

Tel: +65-67906739

Fax: +65-67911859

E-mail: mvchan@ntu.edu.sg

My Family: Click

Education

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 1997.

B.ChE., Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1993.

Positions & Experiences

2005 – Associate Professor, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

1999 – 2005 Assistant Professor, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

1997 – 1999 Senior Scientist, Genome Therapeutics Corporation, Waltham, MA, USA

1997 – 1997 Scientist, BioSeq Inc., Woburn, MA, USA

1993 – 1997 Research Assistant, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

1991 – 1993 Research Assistant, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Honors & Awards

2003 Selected in Virtual Journal of Biological Physics Research, vol. 6, no. 9 (with JJ Foo and KK Liu)

2004 Selected in Virtual Journal of Biological Physics Research, vol. 5, no. 6 (with JJ Foo and KK Liu)

2002 Outstanding Paper Award in the 11th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Singapore (with JJ Foo and KK Liu)

1993 Graduate Research Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania, USA

1992 Selected Member of Tau Beta Pi, University of Minnesota, USA

Research Interests

Understanding the biophysical properties of cells on biomaterials is essential for designing new tissue regeneration processes and for developing new biomedical devices. Our main objective is to reveal the synergistic interplay between biochemical, physical and mechanical signals in the regulation of cell adhesion, regenerations and recovery on biomaterials or extracellular matrix (ECM).

Integrative bio-analytics are critical to our research. Using functional microscopy, optical tweezers and atomic force microscopy, we examine the biophysical dynamics of cell regeneration, biomechanics of membrane and dynamic adhesion of bacteria. We will devise important design principles for engineered tissue equivalents, bio-inspirational materials and anti-microbial devices.

Our group is currently focusing on the following three research areas:

i) Biophysical Dynamics of Cell Regenerations

ii) Biophysical Engineering of Antimicrobial Surfacese

iii) Development of Integrative Biophysical Instrumentation

Current Collaborators

Prof. Chan, Mary (NTU)

Prof. Chen, William (NTU)

Prof. Li Chuan (NTU)

Prof. YC Chiew (Rutgers)

Prof. Chian, Sandy (NTU)

Prof. Kam Leong (Duke University)

Prof. KG Neoh (NUS)

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ph.D Students

Chen, Beiyi

Li, Xi

He, Tao

Ng Soon Seng

Alumni

1) Fang Ning (Ph.D., 2003, currently a Research Engineer at NTU)

2) Foo Ji Jinn (Ph.D., 2004, currently a post-doc fellow at Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics)

3) Feng Zhiqin (Ph.D., 2006, currently a post-doc fellow at Stanford University)

E-mail: zhiqin2003@yahoo.com.sg

Publications

1. J. Nti-Gyabaaha, V. Chan and Y. C. Chiew, Solubility and Limiting Activity Coefficient of Simvastatin in Different Organic Solvents, Fluid Phase Equilibria (2009), In Press.

2. H. Tao, Z. L. Shi, N. Fang, K. G. Neoh, E. T. Kang and V. Chan, The Effect of Adhesive Ligands on Bacterial and Fibroblast Adhesions to Surfaces, Biomaterials 30 (2009) (3), pp. 317-326.

3. J. Nti-Gyabaaha, R. Chmielowski, V. Chan and Y. C. Chiew, Solubility of lovastatin in a family of six alcohols: ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, and 1-octanol. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 359 (2008) (1-2), pp. 111-117.

4. B. Chen, F. J. Xu, K. G. Neoh, E. T. Kang, W. N. Chen and V. Chan, Engineering cell de-adhesion dynamics on thermo-responsive Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). Acta Biomaterialia 4 (2008) (2), pp. 218-229.

5. T. L. Tan, N. Fang, T. L. Neo, P. Singh, J. Zhuang, R. Zhou, C. G. Koh, V. Chan, S. C. Lim and W. N. Chen, Rac1 GTPase is activated by hepatitis B virus replication-involvement of HBX. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1783 (2008) (3), pp. 360-364.

6. N. Cai, Y. Gong, K. S. Chian, V. Chan and K. Liao, Adhesion dynamics of porcine esophageal fibroblasts on extracellular matrix protein-functionalized poly(lactic acid). Biomed Mater 3 (2008) (1), pp. 015014.

7. C. Tedjo, K. G. Neoh, E. T. Kang, N. Fang and V. Chan, Bacteria-surface interaction in the presence of proteins and surface attached poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) chains, J Biomed Mater Res A 82A (2007) (2), pp. 479-491.

8. B. Chen, J. Dang, T. L. Tan, N. Fang, W. N. Chen, K. W. Leong and V. Chan, Dynamics of smooth muscle cell de-adhesion from thermosensitive hydroxybutyl chitosan, Biomaterials 28 (2007) (8), pp. 1503-1514.

9. Z. Q. Feng, K. S. Chian, P. S. Mhaisalka, V. Chan and B. D. Ratner, The dual requirements of ECM protein and chitosan for inducing adhesion contact evolution of esophageal epithelia, J Biomed Mater Res A 82A (2007) (4), pp. 788-801.

10. J. Feng, M. B. Chan-Park, J. Shen and V. Chan, Quick layer-by-layer assembly of aligned multilayers of vascular smooth muscle cells in deep microchannels, Tissue Eng 13 (2007) (5), pp. 1003-12.

11. Y. W. Lu, V. Chan and W. N. Chen, The HBSP gene is expressed during HBV replication, and its coded BH3-containing spliced viral protein induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells, Biochem Biophys Res Comm 351 (2006) (1), pp. 64-70.

12. T. L. Tan, Z. Q. Feng, Y. W. Lu, V. Chan and W. N. Chen, Adhesion contact kinetics of HepG2 cells during Hepatitis B virus replication: Involvement of SH3-binding motif in HBX, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1762 (2006), pp. 755-766.

13. J. Y. Shen, B. He, M. B. Chan-Park, A. P. Zhu, X. Zhu, R. W. Beuerman, V. Chan and W. N. Chen, Three-Dimensional Microchannel in Biodegradable Polymeric Film and Application to the Geometric Control of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Tissue Engineering 12 (2006) (8), pp. 2229-2240.

14. J. Y. Shen, M. B. Chan-Park, Z. Q. Feng, V. Chan and Z. W. Feng, UV-embossed microchannel in biocompatible polymeric film: Application to control of cell shape and orientation of muscle cells, J Biomed Mater Res B 77 (2006) (2), pp. 423-30.

15. J. J. Foo, V. Chan and K. K. Liu, Coupling bending and shear effects on liposome deformation, J Biomechanics 39 (2006) (12), pp. 2338-2343.

16. J. J. Foo, V. Chan, Z. Q. Feng and K. K. Liu, Human red blood cell deformed under thermal fluid flow, Biomed Mater 1 (2006) (1), pp. 1-7.

17. Z. Q. Feng, N. Cai, V. Chan, B. D. Ratner and K. S. Chian, Novel biophysical techniques for investigating long-term cell adhesion dynamics on biomaterial surfaces, Adv Exp Med Biol 585 (2006), pp. 151-165.

18. A. P. Zhu, N. Fang, M. B. Chan-Park and V. Chan, Adhesion contact dynamics of 3T3 fibroblasts on poly (lactide-co- glycolide) surface: regulation by chitosan and gelatin surface immobilization, Biomaterials 27 (2006) (12), pp. 2566-2576.

19. N. Fang, A. P. Zhu, M. B. Chan-Park and V. Chan, Adhesion contact dynamics of fibroblast on biomacromolecule surfaces, Macromolecular Biosciences 5 (2005) (10), pp. 1022-1031.

20. A. P. Zhu, N. Fang, M. B. Chan-Park and V. Chan, Effect of carboxylation on the interaction of chitosan with phospholipid bilayer, Biomaterials 26 (2005) (34), pp. 6873-6879.

21. Z. Q. Feng, W. N. Chen, P. V. Lee, K. Liao and V. Chan, The Influence of GFP-actin expression on the adhesion dynamics of HepG2 cells on model extracellular matrix, Biomaterials 26 (2005) (26), pp. 5348-5358.

22. N. Fang, W. J. Tan, K. W. Leong, H Q. Mao and V. Chan, pH responsive adhesion of biomembrane on poly(acrylic acid) cushion grafted to poly(Ethylene terephthalate) surface, Colloid Surface B 42 (2005) (3-4), pp. 245-252.

23. W. J. Tan, G. P. Teo, K. Liao, K. W. Leong, H. Q. Mao and V. Chan, Adhesion contact dynamics of primary hepatocytes on poly(ethylene terephthalate) surface, Biomaterials 26 (2005) (8), pp. 891-898.

24. J. J. Foo, V. Chan and K. K. Liu, Shape recovery of an optically trapped vesicle: effect of flow velocity and temperature, IEEE Tran NanoBiosci 3 (2004) (2), pp. 96-100.

25. V. Chan, K. K. Liu, C. Le Visage, B. F. Ju and K. W. Leong, Bioadhesive characterization of poly(methylidene malonate 2.12) microparticle on model extracellular matrix, Biomaterials 25 (2004) (18), pp. 4327-4332.

26. T. Xiao, N. Fang, V. Chan and K. Liao, A quantitative contour analysis of axisymmetric vesicle spontaneously adhering onto a substrate, Colloid Surface B 34 (2004) (1), pp. 25-31.

27. J. J. Foo, K. K. Liu and V. Chan, Viscous drag of deformed vesicles in an optical trap: experiments and simulations, AIChE J 50 (2004) (1), pp. 249-254.

28. N. Fang and V. Chan, Chitosan induced restructuration of mica-supported phospholipid bilayer: An atomic force microscopy study, Biomacromolecules 4 (2003) (6), pp. 1596-1604.

29. J. J. Foo, V. Chan and K. K. Liu, Contact induced deformation of liposome in the presence of osmosis, Ann Biomed Eng 31 (2003) (10), pp. 1279-1286.

30. Z. Q. Feng, L. Chen, A. C. K. Lai and V. Chan, Effects of carbon chain difference and molecular composition on the contact mechanics of two-component vesicle. Colloid Surface B 32 (2003) (1), pp. 19-28.

31. N. Fang, A. C. K. Lai, K. T. Wan and V. Chan, Effect of acyl chain mismatch on the contact mechanics of liposome composed of binary lipid mixtures during main phase transition, Biophys Chem 104 (2003) (1), pp. 141-153.

32. N. Fang, J. Wang, H.-Q. Mao, K. W. Leong and V. Chan, “BHEM-Chol/DOPE liposome induced perturbation of phospholipid bilayer, Colloid Surface B 29 (2003) (4), pp. 233-245.

33. N. Fang and V. Chan, Interaction of liposome with immobilized chitosan during main phase transition, Biomacromolecules 4 (2003) (3), pp. 581-588.

34. J. J. Foo, K. K. Liu and V. Chan, Thermal effect on a viscously-deformed liposome in a laser trap, Ann Biomed Eng 31 (2003) (3), pp. 354-362.

35. K. T. Wan, V. Chan and D. A. Dillard, Constitutive equation for elastic indentation of a thin-walled bio-capsule by an atomic force microscope tip, Colloid Surface B 27 (2003) (2-3), pp. 241-248.

36. C. Yin, K. Liao, H. Q. Mao, K. W. Leong, R. X. Zhuo and V. Chan, Adhesion contact dynamics of HepG2 cells on galactose immobilized substrates, Biomaterials 24 (2003) (5), pp. 837-850.

37. N. Fang, V. Chan and K. T. Wan, The effect of electrostatics on the contact mechanics of adhering giant phospholipid vesicles, Colloid Surface B 27 (2003) (4), pp. 83-94.

38. V. Chan and K. T. Wan, Thermal induced modification on the contact mechanics of adhering liposomes on cationic substrate, Chem Phys Lipids 120 (2002) (1-2), pp. 131-143.

39. A. C. K. Lai, K. T. Wan and V. Chan, Substrate-induced deformation and adhesion of phospholipid vesicles at the chain melting transition. Biophys Chem 99 (2002) (3), pp. 245-258.

40. K. K. Liu, V. Chan and Z. Zhang, Capsule-substrate contact deformation: determination of adhesion energy, Med Biol Eng Comput 40 (2002) (4), pp. 491-495.

41. N. Fang, V. Chan, K. T. Wan, H. Q. Mao and K. W. Leong, Colloidal adhesion of phospholipid vesicles: high resolution reflection interference contrast microscopy and theory. Colloid Surface B 25 (2002) (4), pp. 347-362.

42. V. Chan and K. T. Wan, Thermal induced modification of the contact mechanics of adhering liposomes, Langmuir 18 (2002) (8), pp. 3134-3141.

43. C. Yang, C. B. Ng and V. Chan, Transient analysis electroosmotic flow in a slit microchannel, J Colloid Interf Sci 248 (2002) (2), pp. 524-527.

44. J. C. Chai, T. M. Tsai, J. J. Foo and V. Chan, Numerical computations of factor X_a and thrombin productions using a finite-volume method, Intl J Heat and Mass Transfer 45 (2002) (4), pp. 785-792.

45. N. Fang, V. Chan, H. Q. Mao and K. W. Leong, Interactions of phospholipid bilayer with chitosan: effect of pH and molecular weight. Biomacromolecules 2 (2001) (4), pp. 1161-1168.

46. V. Chan, H. Q. Mao and K. W. Leong, Chitosan-induced perturbation of dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine membrane bilayer. Langmuir 17 (2001) (12), pp. 3749-3756.

47. L. A. Sanguedolce, V. Chan, S. E. McKenzie, S. Surrey, P. Fortina and D. J. Graves, Fundamental studies of DNA adsorption and hybridization on solid surfaces. ACS Symposium 728 (1999), pp. 190-204.

48. V. Chan, P. Fortina, S. E. McKenzie and D. J. Graves, The effects of electrostatics and hydrophobicity on the adsorption and surface diffusion of DNA oligonucleotides. J Colloid Interf Sci 203 (1998) (1), pp. 197-207.

49. V. Chan, D. J. Graves, P. Fortina and S. E. McKenzie, Adsorption and surface diffusion of DNA oligonucleotides at liquid/solid interfaces. Langmuir 13 (1997) (2), pp. 320-329.

50. V. Chan, D. J. Graves and S. E. McKenzie, The biophysics of DNA hybridization with immobilized oligonucleotide probes. Biophys J 69 (1995) (6), pp. 2243-2255.

51. X. Chu, V. Chan, L. D. Schmidt and W. H. Smyrl, Crystalline fibers in chemically polymerized ultrathin polypyrrole films. J Appl Phys 77 (1995) (12), pp. 6658-6663.

52. X. Chu, V. Chan and L. D. Schmidt, Steps of surface eching and carbon deposition on the graphite basal plane. Mat Res Soc Symp Proc 312 (1993), pp. 225-230.

53. X. Chu, V. Chan, L. D. Schmidt and W. H. Smyrl, Microstructures of chemically polymerized ultrathin polypyrrole films. Mat Res Soc Symp Proc 305 (1993), pp. 177-182.

54. H. San, B. Chen, K. Wang and V. Chan, Adhesion of fibroblast on chitosan/whey protein hydrogel membrane. (2009) Submitted.

55. B. Chen, Z. Shi, N. Fang, K. G. Neoh, E. T. Kang and V. Chan, Effect of extracelluar matrix molecules on cell deadhesion kinetics from thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). (2009) Submitted.

Review Article

1. B. Chen and V. Chan, The ultimate goal of engineering cells on chitosan. In: Recent Research in Biomedical Aspects of Chitin and Chitosan, Editor: Hiroshi Tamura (2008), pp. 1-41.

Professor David J. Graves and Mrs. Graves