1. You recently published a paper, in the journal "ACS Nano, (2017)", titled "Facile Supramolecular Approach to Nucleic-Acid-Driven Activatable Nanotheranostics That Overcome Drawbacks of Photodynamic Therapy".

- Can you please briefly summarize this paper?
Response: In this study, we devised a new strategy that relies on an activatable supramolecular approach to improve photodynamic therapy (PDT). In our design, a unique phthalocyanine photosensitizer (PcS) and an anthracenedione based antineoplastic drug (MA) are employed as a host and guest for assembly of uniform nanostructures (PcS-MA). Studies show that PcS-MA not only display nanoscale optical properties but also they have a nucleic acid-activation capability. In vivo evaluations indicate that PcS-MA have a high level of accumulation in tumor tissues, and that they can be used for light-up imaging of cancer cells. More significantly, PcS-MA display improved photodynamic anticancer behavior owing to the synergistic effects of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy. We believe that this study will attract the interest of researchers engaged in cancer therapy and that it will provide a novel perspective for designing supramolecular theranostic agents.

- Can you please tell us the main difficulties you had in the laboratory work and how you overcame them?
Response: One of the main difficulty may be the screening of appropriate host and guest molecules for the fabrication of nano-assemblies. This part of work took me about 2 years when I was a Ph.D. student under the guidance of my supervisor (Prof. Jian-Dong Huang) at Fuzhou University. Another difficulty may be the mouse experiment, which requires enough experience and also takes lots of time. This part of work was cooperated with Prof. Ki Taek Nam's group at Yonsei University. Here, I would like to thank them for their kindness, and also thank for the assistance from Ms. Dayoung Lee (Ph. D candidate) and Ms. Gyoungmi Kim at Ewha Womans University. At last, I would like to thank Prof. Juyoung Yoon and Prof. Xiaoyuan Chen for their great support for this work.

2. Please introduce your laboratory, university or organization to bio-researchers in Korea.

Response: My current position is in Prof. Juyoung Yoon's lab in Department of Chemistry and Nano Science at Ewha Womans University. Prof. Yoon is very friendly. I'm very happy to work together with him. His biography:

Prof. Juyoung Yoon received his Ph.D. (1994) from The Ohio State University. After completing postdoctoral research at UCLA and at Scripps Research Institute, he joined the faculty at Silla University in 1998. In 2002, he moved to Ewha Womans University, where he is currently a Distinguished Professor of Department of Chemistry and Nano Science. His research interests include investigations of fluorescent chemosensors, theranostics, molecular recognition and organic functional materials. Prof. Yoon has published over 290 SCI papers.
Homepage: http://home.ewha.ac.kr/~jyoon/

3. Please tell us your experiences and your thoughts related to research activities in Korea.

Response: As a foreign researcher in Korea, I'm happy to work hear. However, I have a question that how to let more researchers to be happy to work hear and stay longer. Is there any good policy? Because I can not read and speak Korea, I have no idea how to learn or how to apply for some support for my research from goverment or university.

4. Please tell us your difficulties and good memories as foreign researcher in Korea

Response: Difficulties: The salary of post-doctor in Korea is relatively low and the tax is too high. For example, my salary (2015.10.1-2016.10.1) is 2,300,000 Won per month (pre-tax), and I only got about 2,000,000 Won per month. In addition, the consumption is very high in Seoul. For example, my house rent takes about 600,000 Won per month. It's very hard for me to support my family. As I know, most of the Chinese universities greatly raise the salary of post-doctor in recent years. Some of my classmates who work as post-doctors at Chinese university obtain much higher income than me now. Not to mention how high it's in some of other countries.
Good memories: Ewha Womans University is beautiful. The social environment of Seoul is harmonious. Professors in different research fields or different universities are willing to cooperate.

4. Can you provide some advice for younger foreign scientists who have plans to study in Korea?

Response: The first year when I worked here is very hard for me because I just graduated and had to do independent research. It required focus and patience. Insist and persist!

5. Future plan?

Response: I'll keep fighting in my current research field and also try to learn something new. Hope I can publish at least two more good papers in Prof. Yoon's group and then try to find a professor position at a university.

6. Do you have anything else that you would like to tell Korean scientists and students?

Response: Best wishes to every science researchers.