Mr. Hengjia Wan, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Science and Technology of China, is a promising young scholar in the field of biomagnetism and cytoskeletal biology. His pioneering work on the effect of hypomagnetic fields on the actin-like MamK protein in magnetotactic bacteria reveals how magnetic field intensity can influence protein assembly and bacterial navigation. His research contributes vital insights into biological adaptation to geomagnetic environments, with broader implications in evolutionary biology. With published work in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules and contributions to nationally funded research projects, Mr. Wan stands as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Author Profile
Education
Mr. Hengjia Wan began his academic journey with an inherent curiosity for biological processes influenced by environmental cues, especially magnetic fields. As a student at the University of Science and Technology of China, one of China’s most prestigious institutions, he cultivated a strong foundation in molecular biology, biophysics, and microbiology. His early fascination with magnetotactic bacteria and their interaction with geomagnetic forces gradually shaped his research interests. During his postgraduate studies, Hengjia committed himself to unraveling how magnetic fields influence cytoskeletal structures, an area often overlooked in classical biology but rich in interdisciplinary scientific potential.
Experience
Despite being early in his research career, Mr. Wan has already demonstrated significant scientific maturity. His primary work focuses on the actin-like protein MamK in magnetotactic bacteria, particularly how hypomagnetic fields (HypoMF) affect its assembly. His research has shown that in the absence of the geomagnetic field (GMF), MamK protein filaments become destabilized, disrupting normal cellular architecture in these unique microorganisms.
His involvement in national-level scientific initiatives such as the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2023YFA1607503) and the Anhui Provincial Key Research and Development Project (Grant No. 2023z04020016) highlights his growing presence in China’s scientific community. Collaborations with Heye Health Technology Chong Ming Project have further emphasized the translational and applied nature of his research.
Contributions and Research Focus
Mr. Wan’s research primarily explores biomagnetism and cytoskeleton dynamics, focusing on how magnetic fields regulate molecular behavior in microorganisms. His most cited work — “Assembly dynamics of magnetotactic bacterial actin-like protein MamK under shielded geomagnetic fields: In vitro evidence of inhibited filament formation” — is published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
In this work, he discovered that the shielding of the GMF increases inorganic phosphate release during ATP hydrolysis, thereby destabilizing MamK filaments and promoting their disassembly. This pioneering study adds a novel dimension to our understanding of geomagnetic-biological interactions, especially relevant in the context of evolutionary biology and the behavior of microorganisms through Earth’s geomagnetic history.
His work also opens new doors in applied fields, such as synthetic biology, space biology, and biomaterials, where understanding how biological molecules behave in varying magnetic fields could lead to novel innovations.
Accolades and Recognition
Although Mr. Wan is in the early stage of his academic career, his research has already attracted commendable attention. He is a leading contributor to high-impact journals and is involved in top-tier government-funded scientific programs. His groundbreaking study has been indexed in SCI and Scopus, affirming its credibility and relevance.
His nomination for the Best Researcher Award further exemplifies the recognition of his work by the wider academic and scientific community. The rigorous methodology and originality in his research are indicative of a researcher whose contributions are set to expand in both depth and impact.
Publications
📘New Insights into the Dependence of CPEB3 Ribozyme Cleavage on Mn2+ and Mg2 – The Journal of Physical Chemistry (2024)
📘 Assembly dynamics of magnetotactic bacterial actin-like protein MamK under shielded geomagnetic fields: In vitro evidence of inhibited filament formation – Biological Macromolecules (2025)