At the 19th “Challenge Cup” Shanghai Municipal College Student Extracurricular Academic and Technological Works Competition, a team from SUES School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, led by Chen Aihong and supervised by Liu Xijian, Luo Yu, and Wang Kaiyang, won the Grand Prize for their project titled “Smart Hydrogel for Sonodynamic and Gas Synergistic Therapy of Glioblastoma”. This innovative achievement not only provides a novel solution to the challenges of glioblastoma treatment but also showcases the scientific strength and sense of responsibility of young scholars working at the intersection of medicine and engineering.
Innovative Breakthrough: Smart Hydrogel Solves a Medical Dilemma
Glioblastoma remains a major clinical challenge. Precise identification and treatment of residual tumors after surgery continue to perplex the medical community. Conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy face limitations due to the blood-brain barrier, reducing treatment efficacy. To address this, Chen Aihong’s team developed a cutting-edge anti-cancer hydrogel nanocomposite material, CSSH-Gel. This injectable hydrogel can be precisely applied to post-surgical residual tumor areas, where it responds to the tumor microenvironment by triggering a dual-action mechanism—generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and releasing H₂S gas. This enables sonodynamic–gas synergistic therapy, which efficiently kills glioblastoma cells while preserving surrounding healthy brain tissue.
“Our goal is to provide a safer and more effective post-surgical treatment using biodegradable materials and controlled drug release technologies,” said Chen Aihong. This innovative design not only overcomes the limitations of traditional therapies but also opens a new path for precision treatment of glioblastoma.
Scientific Breakthroughs: Collaborative Problem-Solving Between Faculty and Students
The road to scientific innovation is never easy. The team faced technical bottlenecks such as unstable drug loading efficiency and poor degradation control of the hydrogel. To overcome these challenges, the members adopted a collaborative strategy: Chen Aihong led problem analysis, Luo Ruixin focused on data modeling, and Zhou Ting contributed clinical perspectives. Through regular brainstorming and rigorous testing, they identified optimal solutions.
Advanced equipment at the School and expert guidance from SUES committees further supported the project. Under the continuous supervision of Professor Liu Xijian, the team successfully resolved the key issue of sustained release system stability. The “faculty–student collaboration and interdepartmental cooperation” model played a critical role in the project's success.
Honor and Responsibility: Youthful Innovation Redefines Med-Engineering Integration
Winning the Grand Prize at the “Challenge Cup” is not only recognition of the team’s research efforts but also validation of the value of interdisciplinary innovation. From material design to clinical application, the team’s scientific insights and the University’s cross-disciplinary platform complemented each other, gradually bringing laboratory results into real-world use. “As a graduate student, I feel honored to bring recognition to our university in this competition. Meanwhile I also feel a strong sense of responsibility,” said team member Luo Ruixin. “The value of research lies in solving real problems. We’ll continue to explore the med–engineering frontier and contribute to healthcare through innovation.”
Team Spirit: Pursuing Truth and Responsibility Through Collective Effort
From countless lab experiments to late-night debates, the success of Chen Aihong’s team came from persistence and passion. Their achievements reflect not only individual effort but also the strength of teamwork. With dedicated guidance from professors like Liu Xijian, team members supported each other and grew together—fully embodying the academic spirit of “Diligence, Veritas, Innovation, and Dedication” of SUES.
This award is not only a recognition of their scientific innovation but also a tribute to their team spirit. Looking ahead, the team is committed to scaling new heights in glioblastoma treatment and contributing their youthful energy to the advancement of biomedical materials in China.