Author Interview: Dr. Jun Deng

Event Introduction 

Since its founding in 2016, Bioactive Materials (BAM) has emerged as a leading international platform in materials science and biomedicine. Over the past decade, the journal has achieved remarkable growth, with its impact factor rising from 8.724 (2019) to 20.3 (2024). It has also been listed as a top-tier journal in the Chinese Academy of Sciences Journal Classification (Q1) and the T1 category of the High-Quality Scientific Journal Grading Catalog for materials science for five years (2020–2025). None of this would have been possible without the trust and contributions of our global authors, whose innovative research has shaped BAM’s success. 

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we launch the **Author Interviews** series, featuring distinguished contributors who have grown alongside BAM—including early-stage submitters, highly cited scholars, and rising scientists. Through their stories, we will explore their journeys with BAM: from the excitement of first submissions to the impact of published research, from upholding research integrity to navigating academic influence, and their visions for the field’s future. These conversations aim to provide practical insights for emerging researchers and express our deepest gratitude to all authors who have been part of our journey. 

Author Interview: Dr. Jun Deng

Jun Deng, Deputy Director of Burn Surgery in First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (Southwest Hospital), Assistant Director of the National Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Professor and PhD Supervisor. Winner of National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholar, Chongqing Outstanding Young Scientists Fund, Chongqing academic technology leader.

His primary areas of interest include wound repair research and burn treatment. In recent years, more than 60 SCI papers have been published in Nature Communications, Science Advances, Advanced Materials, Nano-Micro Letters, Advanced Functional Materials, Nano Today, Advanced Science, Bioactive Materials, Biomaterials, Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B and other high-level SCI journals with Communication or First author. He has successively overseen four projects for the National Natural Science Foundation of China, including major plans and outstanding projects; two army projects, including 173 major projects and talents in scientific and technological innovation; one important cultivation project and platform for intelligent medical equipment in Chongqing; three projects for the Chongqing Natural Science Foundation, etc. Seven national invention patents were obtained. He received the Wang Zhengguo Trauma Medicine Innovation Award (R1), the Chongqing Science and Technology Progress Award (R3), the China Medical Science and Technology Award (R7), and the Sichuan Science and Technology Progress Award (R3).

Here is the interview we did with him:

I. Origins with BAM

1. What first introduced you to BAM? Do you remember the research topic of your first submission to BAM? What key factors influenced your decision to choose BAM at the time?

I first encountered BAM at the Mr. Zheng Yufeng's 2020 lecture.

Through the development of "functionalized surface modification" and "in vivo microenvironment smart-response," the material research is accomplishing a revolutionary shift from biological inertia to intelligent reaction, much like the journal name Bioactive Materials.

In addition, the theme "Construction of heparin-based hydrogel incorporated with Cu5.4O ultrasmall nanozymes for wound healing and inflammation inhibition" was completed by Peng Yuan, a master's student who was educated by me with Shanghai Jiaotong University in 2021. Through material function and structural design, the goal is to adsorb chronic wound inflammatory mediators, improve the wound immunological inflammatory environment, stimulate the tissue's own capacity for regeneration, and support tissue regeneration and wound repair. This work aligns well with BAM, therefore it was submitted to BAM.

The editor-in-chief and the BAM editorial department's efficiency astonished me, and the work quickly garnered positive feedback before being published. It was also quite fortunate to be chosen for ESI highly cited papers later in 2024.

2. Among your publications in BAM, which article stands out the most? How has it impacted your academic career?

I have been amazed and inspired by a lot of the works that have been published in the BAM journal. For example, one article that demonstrates the potential of biomimetic materials in the field of skin regeneration, from structural and functional bionics to new technology integration, is "Advances and applications of biomimetic biomaterials for endogenous skin regeneration" (DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.011), which was published by Academician Fu Xiaobing's team. It motivated me to consider how the material might better fit the body's natural repair system to address the clinical issue of skin regeneration. My understanding of the "intelligent interaction" of wound care materials was expanded by Yang Jian's team's "Smart bioadhesives for wound healing and closure" (DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.04.020), which focused on intelligent adhesives. It inspired me that materials can be used for anything from passive assistance to active regulation of healing. Through the mechanical puncture sterilization of nanostructures, Zheng Yufeng's team's paper "Eco-friendly bacteria-killing by nanorods through mechano-puncture with top selectivity" (DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.11.028) offers me a fresh viewpoint on the mechanism of antibacterial materials. I have come to understand the critical role material micro-design plays in function realization thanks to this exacting and eco-friendly approach. Additionally, it offers inspiration for the development of novel antimicrobial materials. They encourage me to learn more about and investigate the various degrees of biomaterial application in skin, wound, antibacterial, and other settings.

3. As a long-term supporter of BAM, how would you describe the journal’s development over the past decade (e.g., impact factor, review processes, internationalization)? What changes have impressed you the most?

In this decade, BAM has advanced really quickly. The increasing need for materials' "biological activity" function in life medicine, along with the advancement of new technologies like sophisticated manufacturing and artificial intelligence, are all factors contributing to the rise of BAM. As a participant and observer, I perceive three of the biggest shifts:

One is academic influence's "exponential growth." I vividly recall that BAM has been at the forefront of the Q1 area in the multidisciplinary field of materials science and biomedicine for a considerable amount of time, and that its impact factor has increased dramatically in a short period of time, from 8.724 at the start of the publication to the most recent 20.3. This is due to an improvement in the general caliber of its published papers, which shows how highly BAM's academic leadership is regarded in the international academic community.

Second is the evaluation process's "extreme efficiency and professionalism". The adage "the world's martial arts, only fast not broken" also holds true in the context of scientific study. In my experience, the BAM review and publication procedure is among the most effective. The cycle from submission to initial review opinions is frequently quite rapid, and the editorial crew is quite professional and responsive, according to what many writers have shared. In order to ensure that the paper is examined by at least two independent experts in the subject, a rigorous "double-blind review" process that considers both speed and quality is in place. BAM offers scholars an invaluable, quick conduit to enable them take advantage of such timely, innovative accomplishments of scientific research.

Furthermore, 'Comprehensive construction' of the internationalization pattern is also important. From its humble beginnings as a prominent publication in China, BAM has developed into a truly international scholarly platform. Its increasingly global editorial board composition demonstrates this. Leading academics from the US, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Singapore, and other nations are among the editorial board members who come from all over the world. Academic contacts were substantially facilitated by the journal's active hosting and participation in a number of international conferences, including the "China-Europe Biomaterial Regenerative Medicine Symposium." It gives biomaterials researchers in China and even the rest of the globe an equitable, effective, and authoritative platform for communication.

All in all, the success of BAM is the result of its precise positioning, excellent editorial team, efficient operation mode and adherence to academic quality.

II. Submission and Academic Exchange Experiences

    4. Could you share your secrets to success in submitting to BAM? For example, how do you prepare manuscripts that align with the journal’s scope? How do you efficiently respond to reviewer comments?

Actually, i have no success secret, just a little bit of practical experience. First and foremost, it is essential to "know both self and others" and have a thorough understanding of BAM's positioning when preparing manuscripts. Studying BAM's "Aims & Scope" (goal and scope) in depth is necessary to "know the other." BAM's primary concept is "Bioactive." Accordingly, research that not only describes a novel substance but also investigates its interactions with biological systems and the reasons behind its ability to cause particular biological effects is particularly valued by journals (Why & How). The manuscript's subjects should be tissue engineering, cell biology, biomedical engineering, and regeneration.

Second, my guiding philosophy for effectively responding to the review remarks is "respect, rigorous, clear." A professional and succinct response is crucial, and reviewing submissions is a great way to raise the caliber of papers.

5. BAM emphasizes mult-discipline-crossing and clinical translation potential. How do you balance academic innovation with practical application in your research design?

This is an excellent question that goes right to the heart of our efforts in this area. Since the Southwest Hospital of the PLA Institute of Burns serves as my research unit and is part of the Trinity's clinical, scientific, and editorial departments, we investigate using a "from the clinic, to the clinic" closed-loop research methodology, which primarily consists of four steps:

The 'clinical true problem' (Application Value) serves as the basis for the first stage. The great majority of the inspiration for our study comes from actual demands that have not been satisfied in the first line of clinical observation, not from gaps in the literature. We mandate that all of the institute's researchers dedicate two to three hours each week to clinical research, conversations with clinicians, identification of clinical issues, and a strong "application value" orientation from the start.

"Academic Innovation" is the process's main focus in success publication. We shall not rush to discover a "seemingly feasible" remedy after identifying the issue. Instead, we shall invest a great deal of effort in further exploring the pathophysiological process behind it. For instance, we shall examine the reasons behind the malfunction of the immune cells in the wound region. 'Academic innovation' is exactly the result of this ongoing 'Why' questioning. We can not create biological materials that "suit the remedy to the case" unless we have a thorough comprehension of the rationale behind sickness. In and of itself, this mechanism-based approach represents a higher degree of scholarly creativity.

The adoption of "Enabling Innovation" is also important phase. We need to become 'cross-border integrators' in order to convert our comprehension of the new mechanism into successful intervention tactics. Materials science, chemistry, nanotechnology, immunology, and biomedical engineering are just a few of the disciplines from which we actively incorporate techniques and concepts. This multidisciplinary approach is a crucial tool for achieving innovation and offers a fresh toolkit for resolving challenging clinical issues.

'Clinical transformation' (validating value) is the final but very important phase. In order to confirm the efficacy and safety, we will select an animal model that is closer to the clinical setting later on in the study. We will also carefully examine the material's biocompatibility, degradability, and viability for large-scale manufacturing. Our project's design will be guided by these "application value" considerations, making sure that our academic breakthrough has practical potential for clinical practice rather than being a theoretical fortress.

Academic innovation (new technologies, new methods) and application value (fixing actual issues, with the potential to alter) are thus no longer mutually exclusive goals. On the contrary, our deep academic innovation is motivated by the pressing clinical needs, and these inventive accomplishments ultimately return to answer clinical difficulties and realize their application worth. Together, the two provide a meaningful study of biological materials and are causally related.

6. Research integrity is a core principle of BAM. How do you ensure the authenticity and reproducibility of your data in your research? What advice would you give to early-career scholars on this topic?

Academic research depends on research integrity, which cannot be compromised. In my view, a two-pronged strategy from the "institutional" and "cultural" levels is necessary to guarantee the legitimacy and repeatability of data.

At the institutional level, we implement strict original data recording and management norms.

First, the foundation is the traceability and integrity of experimental records. Each member of our team is required to maintain the greatest amount of original electronic data and experimental records. This covers all unsuccessful attempts as well as anomalous occurrences in addition to successful tests.

Second, the method's thorough explanation is crucial. We will include all experimental details in our papers, such as the source of materials used, the precise models and parameters of the instruments and equipment, detailed operation steps, and data collection and analysis methods, so that other researchers can replicate our work. We think that the absence of important experimental data is frequently the cause of experiments that cannot be replicated.

Culturally, we place a strong emphasis on the scientific spirit of "seeking truth."

A "clean" negative result is significantly more valuable than a "selected" or "modified" good result, as I frequently explain to my students. Uncertainty abounds in scientific inquiry, which frequently yields unexpected outcomes. The first step is to consider whether there are issues with the design and administration of the experiment or whether our scientific presumptions themselves need to be revised, rather than questioning the facts. The foundation for eradicating academic misconduct is a culture that accepts and faces the truth.

For young scholars who have just embarked on the road of scientific research, I have some specific suggestions:

Keep the bottom line and obey the rules first. Integrity in scientific research is a red line that cannot be crossed. Young students should understand right away that any kind of academic dishonesty, including falsifying or manipulating data, can have a disastrous effect on their academic careers. As much as you love your eyes, you should also cherish your academic reputation.

Second, cultivate sound research practices. A consistent, thorough, and traceable experimental recording habit was formed from the moment one walked into the lab. Integrity is important, but so is effective collaboration in scientific research and problem-solving to set the groundwork.

Third, adopt an open science mindset. Share your raw data, analytical code, etc. via a public database when circumstances allow. In addition to making your study much more transparent and credible so that colleagues can validate it, this will encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange among scientists.

Fourth, proactively ask peers and mentors for assistance. Avoid going behind closed doors when there is uncertainty over data processing or outcome presentation. Make the effort to speak openly and honestly about the issues you face with peers, siblings, or mentors. The best defense against unintentional loss and the temptation to engage in academic dishonesty is an atmosphere of open and reciprocal discussion.

III. Discipline Outlook and Future Aspirations 

7. At the forefront of the materials science and biomedicine intersection, what do you see as the key breakthrough directions for the next decade? How might BAM contribute to these developments?

In my opinion, the three aspects of "intelligence," "precision," and "automation" will be the focus of advances in this breakthrough during the next ten years. These dimensions will be interwoven and work together to bring about a significant transformation.

"Materials' intelligence" is the first. It ranges from passive reaction to active regulation. Instead of being static, future materials will be "micro-robots" or "intelligent systems" that may interact in real time with the body's complex dynamic environs and respond according to preprogrammed actions.

The second is the 'precision' of the treatment, which ranges from generic fixes to personalized modifications. Personalized medicine will become the norm, radically upending the "one medicine for a thousand people" paradigm.

Lastly, the study and creation of "automated" AI-driven material discovery and design. This is the most powerful engine to accomplish the first two objectives. 'Hand-made workshops' will give way to 'industrialization' as artificial intelligence and machine learning transform the way we develop materials.

In it, BAM will be an essential "leader" and "accelerator."

BAM will establish and mold the frontier's course in its capacity as a "leader." The above future developments are well aligned with the journal positioning of BAM, which focuses on "next-generation biomaterials" and "science and engineering designed to stimulate or guide specific cell and tissue responses." By arranging special issues (like "Biomedical and Bioactive Polymers New Frontiers") and reviews that look ahead, BAM, a prestigious journal that has held the highest positions in the field, may set the agenda for these new areas and bring together the best knowledge in the world.

As an "accelerater," BAM will facilitate the quick dissemination and transformation of innovations. The world can witness significant advancements in these domains for the first time because to BAM's effective review and publication procedure. By organizing and supporting prestigious international conferences (like the China-Europe /China-America Biomaterials Symposium), encouraging ideological clashes, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, the journal simultaneously actively fosters a global academic exchange community, which quickens the rate of innovation across the board. The best evidence and motivator for our field's development and success is BAM itself.

8. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to young scholars submitting to BAM for the first time?

Tell a comprehensive and impactful story motivated by significant clinical issues, I may provide just one piece of advise. In particular, merely creating a novel material and describing its superior physical and chemical characteristics is insufficient. You need to keep asking yourself these questions before writing:

(1) What significant medical or biological issues have been resolved by the materials?

(2) How does it work in terms of "biological activity"? Is this the result of a recent scientific finding?

(3) Is the evidence adequate, the logical flow evident, and my research tale complete?

Many other outstanding materials journals may accept a paper that only stays at the level of materials science. However, the secret to really unlocking this door for Bioactive Materials is a profound, inventive "biological story" that can strike a chord with readers in the fields of biology and medicine.

9. Please share a one-sentence wish for BAM’s next decade and your expectations for the journal.

Blessing the next ten years of BAM, one end is securely anchored in the most pressing demands of clinical medicine, while the other end is connected to the most innovative concepts in material science, like a lovely bridge. On this bridge, let the spark of invention come together, clash, and then blossom into a dazzling light that will brighten health and life.

In addition to continuing to uphold its fundamental principles of "high quality" and "high efficiency," I anticipate that BAM will give greater consideration to and promote innovative research that has the potential to be disruptive and is "high risk but high return" (from 0 to 1). In addition to continuing to support the close integration of industry, education, and research, I believe that BAM will serve as a nurturing ground for the aspirations of aspiring scientists and hasten the conversion of groundbreaking laboratory discoveries into clinical goods that genuinely improve human health.