Internship Overview: We try to develop new strategies to modulate hyper-active immune responses in allergic diseases, with nature compounds or mesenchymal stem cells. Students may learn basic techniques for molecular biology and immunology.

Two main topics are:
1. The development of new drugs for asthma With the collaboration with doctors in Chinese medicine, we have applied many natural compounds or herbal decoction to control asthmatic responses in mice or inflammatory pathways in culture cells. In recent years, we also focus on a novel compound which was identified with chip-based pharmaceutical screening method followed by chemical modification. This molecule strongly binds to CD28 to block the interaction with CD80 resulting in the inactivation of T cells. Our preliminary data demonstrated its efficacy to attenuate asthmatic responses in OVA-sensitized mice and T-cell activity. This compound has the advantages of low toxicity to T cells and treated mice, easy to be synthesized with very low cost, and high stability. Thus, it becomes a potential candidate for the development of innovative therapeutic agents. We would like to extend its usage in controlling different diseases with over-activated T-cell responses.
2. Study the immune modulating function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) In addition the ability for self-renewal and multi-lineage cell differentiation, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to ameliorate autoimmune or allergic diseases. We demonstrated that human Wharton's jelly (WJ)-derived MSCs could significantly reduce eosinophil infiltration in the lungs, serum OVA-specific IgE levels, and Th2-type cytokine production in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. We will further study the mechanisms and impact of mitochondria transfer by MSCs on Th2 cells. Further modification of MSCs will also be established to improve the efficacy of MSCs for the treatment of asthma, allergic or lung inflammatory diseases.

Qualifications: We are seeking motivated individuals who meet the following criteria:
1. Undergraduate or graduate students in biology or medical departments.
2. Have the interests in Immunology and Molecular Biology.
3. Good communication skills in English.
4. Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Scholarships: NT$ 15,000/month

Costs: regular accommodation fee (average NT$ 8,000/month)

Duration: minimum 1 month