Speaker

AFFILIATION:

Institute of Clinical Medicine, China Medical University Integrative Stem Cell Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

POSITION TITLE:

Professor and Director

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

1997: Ph.D. The University of Tokyo
1990: M.D. National Yang-Ming University

HONORS:

2022: 第66屆教育部「學術獎」

2022  國科會尖端計畫獎助

2022: 第19屆國家新創獎－學研新創獎

2020: 李天德基金會卓越醫藥科技獎

2020  科技部特約研究計畫獎助

2016: Distinguished Research Award (傑出研究獎), MOST, Taiwan

2015：中華民國生物產業發展協會年度創新獎

2015：臺北生技獎-技轉合作獎之優勝

2014: The 2nd Award for Medical Technology Innovation, Taipei Veterans General Hospital

2012: The 1st place, best scientific paper award, Taipei Veterans General Hospital

2012: Award, 1st place, Cumulative SCI IF, Taiwan Orthopaedic Research Society

2012: Distinguished Research Award (傑出研究獎), NSC, Taiwan

2011: Award, 1st place, Cumulative SCI IF, Taiwan Orthopaedic Research Society

2010: The 2nd Award for Medical Technology Innovation, Taipei Veterans General Hospital

2007~2010: Outstanding award, National Yang-Ming University

2002: The best scientific paper award, Taipei Veterans General Hospital

2001: The best research award, Taiwan Orthopedic Association

1996: Award, Japanese Medical Association 

1992 Scholarship from Ministry of Education for studying abroad教育部公費留學獎學金

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

We have developed a platform to cultivate human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Hypoxia up-regulates the expression of Oct4 and Nanog, which enhance Dnmt1 expression to suppress the expression of p16, p21 and lineage differentiation-associated transcription factors, and thereby maintain stemness and prevent spontaneous differentiation (Molecular Cell, 2012). Hypoxia also inhibits senescence, increases the proliferation rate and enhances differentiation potential via the activation of HIF/Twist pathway to suppress E2A/p21 (Blood, 2011). Besides, hypoxia modulates the paracrine effects of MSCs, causing upregulation of various secretable factors, thereby enhancing the effects of MSCs on wound healing and fracture repair (Stem Cells, 2007). Hypoxia plays an important role in mobilization and homing of MSCs to tissue injuries (PLoS One, 2007). Finally, MSCs expanded under hypoxic conditions can be applied for allogeneic transplantation in diseases such as musculoskeletal disorders, atherosclerosis, hepatic failure and limb ischemia (J Ortho Res 2012; Am J Spots Med, 2013; Stem Cells Transl Med, 2015; J Hepatol, 2015; Cardiovascular Res, 2013). We have filed patents that have been granted and transferred to a biotech company for IND and clinical trials in using allogeneic MSC for the treatment of several diseases, such as critical limb ischemia and osteoarthritis.

Recently, we have also investigated the interaction between MSCs and tumor cells. MSCs render tumor cells with stem cell properties (Gastroenterology, 2011) and enhance tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth (Oncogene, 2013). We also investigate the signaling pathways that cancer stem cells mediate to survive in suspension, tumorigenesis, resist apoptosis induced by therapies, such as anti-angiogenesis and chemotherapy (Nature Comm 2016; Oncotarget 2018; Int J of Cancer, 2019). These pathways can be applied to develop new strategies in treating cancer.

PUBLICATIONS:

List of Work Publised in Google Scholar:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=r-pQn0sAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao