Our laboratory focuses on the study of the interplay between mitochondria, redox state, and metabolism, and its impact on human health and disease progression. Our previous studies have shown that oxidative stress promotes replication of enterovirus in host cells, and causes more severe cell damage. Virus infection can also induce oxidative stress. This forms a positive feedback loop of enteroviral infection and oxidative stress. We found that enterovirus induces mitochondrial dysfunction in host cells to generate a large amount of reactive oxygen species. This alters the redox state and metabolism of host cells, changing their susceptibility to viral infection. We are now studying the underlying molecular mechanisms. Additionally, the disturbances of redox and metabolic homeostasis play pathogenic processes of degenerative diseases, such as type II diabetes. In recent years, we have also developed a number of technologies related to metabolomics and mitochondrial research, which are used to study redox metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction, healthy aging, and related degenerative diseases. Moreover, we are also developing novel nucleic acid detection methods.

Scholarship: from NT$10,000

Timeframe: 1 to 6 months

Education: Bachelor's degree or above

Major: Biological sciences

Language: English or Chinese