Who We Are and What We Do

Brief Curricula of the Principal Investigator: Jiin-Ju Chang Other Members of the Research Group Available Research Facilities and Current Collaborations Address References

Internet Publications: Photon Sucking and the Basis of Biological Organization Cellular Biophysics Biophoton Emission Applied Science

Present Topics of  Research
Who We Are and What We Do

(1) Biological effects of physical factors on living cells
It has been shown that some integral proteins of cell membranes like Na,K-ATPase can be activated by pulsed electric field and  some physical  factors can be taken by living cells as informational signals which can cross cell membrane and affect elements of cellular signaling pathways, like second messenger cAMP, Ca+. Some  publications were made in this direction (see list of publications).

(2) Coherence of biophotons and biophotonic communication
After F.A.Popp (1992) using the double chamber measuring system synchronous photon emission from sample A and  sample B of Dinoflagellates when they can "see" each other by opening the shutter between the two sample chambers has been observed. The synchronism can not be explained simply in terms of physical light scattering but of an electromagnetic interaction that takes part in communication between the two samples. (1994 Chinese Science Bulletin).
By using the coincidence counting system (CCS), the following preliminary results were shown:

(A). Distribution of measured coincidences of sample A and sample B  follows theoretical Poisson distribution rather than geometrical one for both cases of the shutter opened and closed  suggesting that they are random and mere coherent than chaotic. However there are some differences between the case of the shutter opened and closed.  All perturbations were shown to influence sensitively the Poissonian distribution, resulting in some deviation. Under some disturbances the photon sources still can keep the Poissonian distribution although with some deviation, but some perturbations can destroy the Poissonian distribution. (1996 Conference of  Neuss).
  
(B). Some samples  show  that the measured coincidence deviates to a higher value than the random coincidence when the shutter opened whereas deviates  to lower when the shutter closed.  By changing measuring parameters, this phenomenon can become more identical. (1997 Conference of  Neuss).
 

(3) Photon emission from nerve cells
It has been shown that photon emission from embryonic chicken brains and brain cells was related to the developmental stages and  the environmental conditions. Suspended brain cells prepared from a intact brain without any chemical treatment were shown to have a higher intensity than the intact brain. After white light illumination, a short-life delayed emission from intact brains and brain cells was observed, and the relaxation behavior follows a hyperbolic rather than an exponential law. The detected photon emission should be explained as the existence of a non-localized coherent field within the measuring system and also should be comprehended in a manner of the interactions  between the intrinsic fields within the living systems and their environmental external fields (1995 Chinese Science Bulletin, 1996 Science in China).

(4) Electro-luminescence  and its applications
Since 1993 the group has been studying electro-luminescence in principles and also in applications. The group has developed a Sensitive Method for Fast Detecting Microbial Contamination. This method can be used for detecting low contamination of microorganisms in liquid samples, in particular, in drinks like milk, beer and juice, in water and in medical remedies. This method can be used in all steps of industrial production, and the equipment can be linked directly to  production lines for monitoring qualities of the products. The sensitivity of this method can get as high as detecting about 10 to 100 bacteria/ml. The advantage of this method is its simplicity in technical manipulation, its rapines and its high sensitivity than that of normal colony methods.(1995 European  patent applying  and 1996 Chinese patent applying) 

(5) Biological structure and electromagnetic fields 
The group has established the 3-D model of outer membrane structure of Chlamydia trachomatis. and has identified some important structures and properties of the prokaryotic cells by using computer image analysis combined with electron microscopy in cooperation with Dr. Leonard (European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Germany) and Dr. Y. X. Zhang (Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology and Boston University). 

Name: Jiin-Ju Chang (Jinzhu Zhang )
 

Curriculum vitae Professor of Biophysics, Chairman of Department of Cell Biophysics, Member of Scientific Committe of Institute of Biophysics of Chinese Academy of  Sciences. Member of the ultrustructure committee of the Chinese Society for Cell Biology. Graduated from Deptartment of Biophysics, University of Science and Technology of China in july of 1963.Was born in 1937 in Liaoning Province of China.  Since 1972 the head of  EM (electron microscopy) Laboratory in the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing  1978  to 1993: Associate Professor.Worked in the laboratory of  Prof. Bei Shizhang, the director of the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (1980 January to 1982 July: Post doctoral visiting scientist in EMBL, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.)  1993 to now: Chairman of  Dept. Cell Biophysics. Professor. The head of  Bioelectromagnetics research group in the Institute of  Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing. Scientific Interests Biological effects of physical factors on living cells, especially on nerve cells. Cell signalling and cell communication. Biological structures including prokaryotic cells like Chlamydia, Rhizobium and eukaryotic cells like blastoderm cells of chicken embryos. Biological methedology, especially electron microscopy. Interactions between root nodule bacteria , with their host plant cells and symbiosis. Proliferation and assembly of Chlamytial cells and biological evolution. In these areas more than 50 papers have been published since 1980.(see major publication list)

Other Members of the Research Group

• Wen-Dou Yu
• Tong Sun
• Feng-Lang Zhou
• Hung-Lue  Shen
• Ya Chen
• Yan Wang
• Yong-Houng Zhau

Available Research Facilities and Current Collaborations

Equipments and  apparaturs for Cell Biology,  Molecular Cell Biology  and Cellular Biophysics studies. Collaborations:

• Prof. Dr. F. A. Popp, International Institute of Biophysics,  Neuss, Germany
• Dr. K. Leonard, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
• Dr. Y. X. Zhang, Boston University, School of Medicine, USA.

1. Chang J.J., K. Leonard and Y.X.Zhang (1997): Structural studies of the surface projections of Chlamydia trachomatis by electron microscopy, J. Med. Microbiol. 46, 1013-1018
2. Zhang,J.Z.,Yu,W.D., Sun,T. and F.A. Popp(1997): Spontaneous and light-induced photon emission from intact brains of chick embryos, Science in China ( Series C) 40(1), 44-51
3. Shen,H.H. and J.J. Chang(1997): Effects of pulsed electric fild on cytosolic Ca2+ and cAMP levels in  embronic chick brain cells, Acta Biophys. Sinica. 1997(1),(in chinese with english abstract)
4. Zeng,C.M.,Cai.S.T.,Zhou,F.L.,Zhang,J.Z.Wang,P(1996):  Anchring of C-myc on nuclear matrix proteins in process of mouse thymic T lymphocyre proliferation by Con A. Science in China ( Series C ) 39(5), 511-516
5. Chang,J.J.,F.A.Popp, and W.D.Yu,(1995): Communication  between Dinoflagellates by Means of Photon Emission. in " Proceedings of International Conference on Non-equilibrium and Coherent Systems in Biophysics, Biology and Biotechnology. Sep. 28-Oct.2. 1994,  Moscow.eds,L.V. Beloussov and F.A. Popp, Bioinform Servaces Co. Rassia, 1995,p318-330.
6. Yu,W.D.,J.J.Chang,(1995): Studies on the Development of Embryonic Chicken Brain Cells by means of Photon Emission, Chinese Science Bulletin,40:1317-1321
7. Zhang,J.Z.,F.A.Popp, and W.D.Yu,(1995): Research on Cell Communication of P.elegans by Means of Photon Emission. Chinese Science Bulletin. 40:76-79
8. Chang,J.J.,Y.Liu.,and K.J.Kong,(1994): Dynamic Cell Membrane Events Following the Application of Single Pulse Electric Field. in " Bioelectrodynamics and Biocommunication"  (ed.Ho,M.W.,F.A.Popp and U.Warnke) Word Scientific Publishing  Co. 251-268
9. Zhang,J.Z.,K.J.Kong,Q.W.Lu.and R.J.Dong,(1994): Freeze-  Fracturing Studies on Human Erythrocyte Membranes Effected by External Pulsed Electrical Field, Acta Biol. Exp. Sinica,27:183-191 (in chinese with english abstract)
10. Yu,W.D.and Zhang,J.Z.,(1994): Microscopic Research on the Migration of Cultured Chicken Embryonic Neurons in Vitro, Acta Biophys. Sinica, 10:557-560( in chinese with english  abstract )
11. Liu,Y.and Zhang,J.Z.,(1994): Dynamic Studies on Electroporation of Cell Membrane by Fluometric Method, Acta  Biophys.Sinica 10:225-232 (in chinese with english abstract )
12. Kong,K.J., Liu,Y.and J.Z.Zhang,(1994): Studies on Dynamics of Electropermeabilization of Tb Loaded in Human Erythrocyte Ghosts, Acta Biophys. Sinica,10:42-50 (in chinese with English abstract)
13. Zhang, J. Z.,(1990) Application of Physical Method in Studies of Living Cells, in "Advances in Cell Biology" Vol.2 ( ed Zheng,G.-C., and Zhai, Z-H.,) High Education Press, 321-369 (in Chinese)
14. Zhang, J., Bei,S., Zhang,Y. and Zhang, L., (1988): Studies on the Proliferation of Chlamydia trachomitis. in " Cell Reformation Series 1, (ed Bei Shizhang) Science Press, Beijing 179-184, (with English abstract )
15. Dubochet, J., M. Adrian, J. J. Chang,J.C.Hono,J.Lepault, A. W. McDowall and P. Schultz,(1988):Cryoelectron Microscopy of Vitrified Specimens. Quarterly Rev.Biophys, 21:129-288(25)
16. Chang,J.J.,Zhang,G.J.,Han,X.C.and Sun.Y.T.,(1987): Relationship between Raman Spectroscopic Lines and Growth of Rhizobium japonicun. Cell Biophysics 10:205-215(26)
17. Zhang,J.,Han,X.,(1987): Structural Studies on Rhizobiumjaponicum 1132-2 by Electron Microscopy, Acta Microbiol.  Sinica.21:318-32 (with english abstract)(27)
18. Dubochet,J.,Adrian,M.,Chang,J.J.,Lepault,J.and A.W.Mcdowall:(1987) Cryoelectron Microscopy of Vitrified Specimens in      Cryotechniques in Biological EM (ed.R.A. Steinbrech and K. Zierold) Springer-Verlag press. 114-131(28)
19. Chang,J.J.,A.W.McDowall,J.Lepault,J.,R.Freeman,C.A.Wallter and J. Dubochet, (1983): Freezing,Sectioning and Observation Artifacts of Frozen Hydrated Sections for Electron     Microscopy. J.Microsc.,132:109-123(33)
20. McDowall, A. W., J. J. Chang, R. Freeman, J. Lepault, C. A. Walter and J. Dubochet (1983): Electron Microscopy of Frozen Hydrated     Sections of Vitrous Ice and Vitrified Biological Samplea. J. Microsc.,131:1-9(34)
21. Chang,J.J.,K.Leonard,T.Arad,T.Pitt,Y.X.Zhang and L.H.Zhang (1982): Structural Studies of the Outer Envelope of Chlamydia      trachomatis by Electron Microscopy, J. Mol. Biol. 161:579-590(35)
22. Dubochet,J.,J.J.Chang,R.Freeman.,J.Lepaultand A.W.McDowall, (1982): Frozen Aqueous Suspensions.Ultramicroscopy, 10:55-62(36)
23. Chang,J.J.,J.Dubochet,A.Baudras,B.Blazy and M.Takahsh,(1981): Electron Microscopic observation of a Fiber Structure Formed  by Non-specific Binding of cAMP receptor protein to DNA. J. Mol. Biol.150:435-439(37)