On May 25, Prof. Yan Xiyun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, gave the fourteenth lecture of the general elective course "The Status Quo and Future of Bioscience". Entitled "Stories behind Nano Enzyme Discovery – the Contingency and Necessity of Scientific Discovery", the lecture attracted over 2,500 audience online.

By raising three questions: "what is nano enzyme? How was it discovered? Can it serve human health?", Yan shared the basic knowledge of nano enzyme from the definition of enzyme and the history of its studies to the concept of nano enzyme,    

Yan identified that the discovery of nano enzyme is based upon the interdisciplinary research. Starting from the unexpected discovery of nano-magnetic beads being able to act as a catalyst for enzyme substrates to the gradual disclosure of enzymatic properties found in inorganic nano-materials, the scientific barrier between inorganic and organic chemistry has been broken down. She pointed out the discovery and development of this emerging research field hinges on collaboration of experts in a variety of disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, physics, nano materials science and medicine. Using rich examples, she also introduced to the students the current application of nanozymes in serving human production and life.

In addition, she shared her own education experiences with the students of Nankai University, and encouraged the teachers and students to keep on exploring new things and be courageous to ask questions.

(Edited and translated by Nankai News Team)