Dr. Michael Chan Cancer Epigenomics, Bioinformatics, National Chung Cheng University
My laboratory dedicates to the understanding of how epigenetic dysregulation, namely DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNA expression, contributes to carcinogenesis and anti-tumor immune response in human cancer. Specifically, we identified tumor suppressors that are transcriptionally silenced by epigenetic modifications and investigate if such phenomenon can be served as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis in gastric, bladder and ovarian cancer. We also try to identify small molecules and drugs that can reverse these aberrant epigenetic modifications to inhibit tumor growth and restore anti-tumor immune response in cancer. We utilize several molecular biology techniques, such as real time PCR, pyrosequencing,to analyze aforementioned events in cultured cell lines, animal tissues and patient samples.
Dr. Wei-Ting Chao Dept. of Life Science, Tunghai University
Our lab focuses on cancer research; we investigate molecular mechanisms of drug resistance on colon and breast cancers. We welcome students from FOT-SURF, and participate in the project of developing new drug treatment strategies in mutated colon cancer cells which has limited clinical drug treatment options. The participating students will be trained in cell culture, cell toxicity test, immunostaining, live image, tissue sections and other experimental skills.
Dr. Bing-Mu Hsu Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, National Chung Cheng University
The Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory at CCU is mainly engaged in research on health-related issues in the earth and environmental systems. The academic expertise includes environmental geology, biogeochemistry, environmental biotechnology, and environmental risk analysis. The research in the field of earth sciences is mainly to explore the microbial community of special geological conditions and to understand its ecology and biogeochemical reaction mechanism. The research topics include: (1) the relationship between trace element metabolism and photochemical reaction of stream biofilm in igneous rock area, (2) discussion on the metabolism of geological microbes in limestone area, (3) microbial phase and their metabolic mechanism in the sedimentary layer of river estuary, (4) microbial ecology in underground aquifer especially focus on arsenic cycle. The innovative technology applications for analyzing geological microbes include microarray wafers, next generation sequencing analysis (NGS), and applied research of green fluorescent protein (GFP) analysis technology were also included. My lab has accumulated sufficient experience in sampling various types of environmental samples, established analyzing method for pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and protozoa in environment. The transmission and physiological characteristics of pathogenic microorganisms as well as molecular epidemiology research in the environment are included in his research fields. Therefore, the investigation and study of epidemiology, risk factors, transmission routes, and potential risks of outbreaks of important emerging and zoonotic infectious diseases have been established as a part of government policy.
Dr. Ming-Yu Kou ComputationalChemistry, Organic Semiconductors, Dept. of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University
Organic field effect transistors (OFETs) have attracted much attention owing to their tunable chemical structure and low temperature processing techniques, which enable to fabricate low-cost, large-area and flexible devices. In the literature, the most extensively studied organic semiconductors have been p-type. The high performance n-type organic semiconductors are also necessary for the development of complementary circuits. Therefore, the design and synthesis of high performance air-stable n-type OFETs are crucial for the development of complementary circuits.
We will synthesize a series of benzodi pyrrole-2,6-dione-3,7-diylidenedimalononitrile (BDPM) derivatives and its analogous semiconductors with different position of side chains. For the purpose of constructing a low-cost OFET, we also manufacture the active layers using solution-process method, including spin-coating, drop-casting, and dip-coating.
Dr. Colin K. C. Wen, Coral Reef Fish Ecology and Conservation Lab, Dept. of Life Science, Tunghai University
Our lab currently has three on-going projects,
1) Biodiversity of fish and benthos in mesophotic reefs in Taiwan
2) Climate change effects on fish and fishery in Green Island
3) Function of giant clams for coral reef fishes
Potential involvement of SURF intern
For projects 1 and 2
- Assist in field work as a diver (certified Advanced and seasoned divers only)
- Fish and benthos survey and identification
- Conduct questionnaires with recreational anglers (for project 2)
For projects 3
- Assist in field work as a diver or snorkeler (certified Open Water and seasoned divers OR seasoned snorkelers only)
- Assist in habitat selection tank experiments
We also have side projects that students were doing for their undergraduate thesis. One is the function of giant clam for coral reef fishes, another one is human disturbance on algal reef fishes. The potential task for SURF intern will be joining field work for recording fish and also tank manipulation.
Dr. Chang-Tze (Ricky) Yu Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Dept. of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan National University
I, representing the Lab of Cellular and Molecular Biology, sincerely welcome each one of the applicants for FoT-SURF to join our Lab. We have been focusing our efforts on decoding the mechanisms by which cancers develop through two viewpoints, i.e. the potential contribution of abnormal organelle physiology or deregulated protein modifications to cancer formation. We have identified phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation or detyrosination of numerous proteins, regulating formation or behavior of organelles such as Golgi complex, centrosome, or aggresome. As a result, cell migration, cell cycle progression or sensitivity to anticancer drugs of cancer cells is severely affected.
Those applicants meet the following conditions will be preferred:
- Enjoy studying cell biology or performing cell culture;
- Enjoy experiencing the culture of Taiwan, such as food and interaction with lab mates or local people;
- Willing to conduct 2-3 experiments and make an oral report weekly.