Cell surface chemical biology is a discipline investigating the relationship of cell surface molecules with cell function, signaling, cell-cell interactions and the occurrence of diseases. It uses chemical methods and tools such as synthetic small molecules, biomacromolecules and nanomaterials to modify and regulate the cell surface to reveal the cell surface structure and function as well as to explore new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Translational medicine is a discipline that transforms the discovery of basic science into clinical applications. It involves multiple fields, such as drug development, bioengineering, molecular imaging, stem cell therapy, aiming to improve human health and well-being.

Cell surface chemical biology is closely linked to translational medicine, as the cell surface is the site where many important physiological and pathological processes take place and is also the target of action of many drugs and diagnostic probes. Through the chemical modification and regulation of the cell surface, the behavior and fate of the cell can be changed, thus realizing the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Case of cell surface chemical biology and its translational medicine:

Cell surface modification methods based on DNAzyme (DNA enzymes) enable cell assembly and dissociation controlled by metal ions. This approach can be used to model and regulate cell-to-cell interactions and signaling, as well as to construct artificial tissues and organs.

A method based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified nanoantibody (nanobody) can effectively target the oncogene HER 2 on the surface of tumor cells and inhibit its signaling and tumor growth. This approach can be used for the development of novel antitumor agents and diagnostic probes.

The method based on polyacetimide (PEI) modified lipid nanoparticles (lipid nanoparticle, LNP) can effectively deliver mRNA to the liver and induce the synthesis of deficient or defective proteins. This approach can be used to treat inherited or metabolic liver disease

参考文献：

Reference Documentation:

[1]Ruo-Can Qian*, Ze-Rui Zhou, Weijie Guo, Yuting Wu, Zhenglin Yang, and Yi Lu*J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2021, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c00060

[2]Cell Biology and Translational Medicine | Book series home - Springe.

[3]Metal ion-controlled dynamic assembly and disassembly of cell surface-engineered DNAzymes | Journal of the American Chemical Society.

[4]Translational Cell & Tissue Engineering.