NTU Published by National Taiwan University N e w s l e t t e r Website:http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~secretor/ / ntunewsletter October 2009 N o . 1 4
Faculty & Students Volunteer to help Typhoon Survivors
NTU Scientists Win Int'l Recognition Exhibit marks 10th Anniversary of 921 Earthquake Robot as Campus Tour Guide
Special Report Chubei Campus Under Construction Contents October 2009 / No.14 Special Report 1 Final Beam Raised on Chubei Campus Building in Anticipation of December Completion 2 Polaris Financial Group Makes Generous Donation to NTU to Establish Quantitative Finance Program for College of Management 3 NTU Researchers Develop Cleaning Compound to Break Down Dangerous Viruses and Bacteria on Skin 4 NTU Faculty and Students Work All-out to Help Survivors of Typhoon Morakot 4 OIA Helps New International Students Get to Know NTU and Taiwan Honors 5 Two NTU Chemists Named Fellows of Royal Society of Chemistry 5 American Geophysics Union Presents NTU Geosciences Student with Outstanding Paper Award 6 NTU Ranks 102nd Among World Universities for Scientific Papers 6 NTU Teams Grab Three Top Prizes at 2009 National Robotics Contest in August International Corner 7 Regional Students Share Experiences at NTU’s Pacific Asia Student Seminar in August 8 College of Engineering Completes Successful Summer Program with University of South Carolina 9 Center for Biotechnology Invites Leading Scientists to Promote Cutting-Edge Membrane Protein Research 10 OIA Provides First Group Airport Pick-up Service for International Students in September 10 OIA and International Youth Club Hold Taiwan Culture Activity for New International Students Research Achievements 11 Fully-Automatic AI Tour Guide Robot Premiered by NTU Students After Three-Years Development 12 NTU Designs Leading Software Predictor for Identifying DNA-binding Residues in Transcription Factors 13 Microarray Core Laboratory Develops Novel Gene Detection and Analytic Methods for Microarrays 14 Microbial Genomics Core Laboratory Uses Genomic Approaches to Study Infectious Diseases 14 Effective Gene Targeting Service Earns International Acclaim for Gene Knockout Mouse Core Laboratory Teaching & Learning 15 NTU Biodiversity Research Center Co-sponsors First Cross-Strait Biodiversity and Forest Conservation Conference 15 Students in Professional Knowledge Enhancement Program Enjoy Time Together at Completion Ceremony 16 Wildlife Biologist’s Origami Exhibition and Workshops Hosted by NTU College of Life Science NTU at a Glance NTU Museums Group Holds Exciting Activities and Exhibitions This Fall Special Report
Final Beam Raised on Chubei Campus Building in Anticipation of December Completion
>> Bearing the signatures of the ceremony’s guests, the precast beam is hoisted securely into position on the building’s roof to the celebratory sounds of music and fireworks. The placement of the beam marks an important milestone in the building’s construction. Guests of the beam raising ceremony sign their names to the building’s final structural beam as they pose for a group photo. >>
expectations for the scheduled NT$10 million to establish a rescue n a ceremony held on August I completion of the construction fund for students from areas dev- 31, the final overhead beam was work in December. astated by Typhoon Morakot in hoisted over NTU’s new academia- August of this year. Bau said it was industry cooperative R&D complex With six floors and a basement, really NTU’s good fortune to have at its Chubei Campus. NTU Vice the capacious reinforced concrete Dr. Hsu, calling him an alumnus of President for Administrative Affairs structure will accommodate coop- rare compassion and generosity Bau Tzong-ho, Hsinchu County erative research work between who delighted in feeding back to Commissioner Cheng Yung-chin NTU and industry. Research teams his old alma mater. and Ruentex Group CEO Samuel dispatched from the College Yen-liang Yin presided jointly of Electrical Engineering and Bau also acknowledged the over the beam raising ceremony. Computer Science, College of Life governmental support provided Other official participants in the Science, College of Engineering by Commissioner Cheng, as well as ceremony were NTU Dean for and College of Medicine will be Ruentex CEO Yin’s prefabrication Research and Development Ji- the first to utilize the facility. construction technique (he holds wang Chern, Dean of General the patent) and his professional Affairs Fu-shu Jeng, Hsinchu During the ceremony, Vice construction crew, as crucial to County Councilor Shin-ying Hsu, President Bau declared that the smooth development of the Chairman Wang and Secretary during the tenures of past NTU complex, which allowed NTU Wang of the Kuang-chao Wang President Wei-jao Chen and to keep its promise to the local Academic Foundation, as well as current President Si-chen Lee, community. Chairman Lai and President Mo of NTU made developing the Chubei Ruentex Group. Unfortunately, Dr. Campus a top priority, but it was As a symbolic declaration of Hsu, who contributed the building, only with the generous donation their best wishes for the new was in the United States for the of Dr. Hsu, an alumnus of the NTU building, the ceremony guests annual meeting of the NTU School Department of Pharmacology, that signed the precast beam before it of Pharmacy Alumni Association in NTU could at last surmount the was hoisted into place. North America. But, he viewed the challenges and proclaim that, “NTU entire ceremony in real time via is here.” Bau added that Dr. Hsu the Internet. The ceremony was deserved even greater gratitude simple yet significant, and raised for making a separate donation of
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Polaris Financial Group Makes Generous Donation to NTU to Establish Quantitative Finance Program for College of Management
>> Guests of honor pose for a group photo at the signing ceremony. Polaris Financial Group recently program to nurture coming donated NT$3.5 million to the generations of financial elite for NTU College of Management to Taiwan. establish a Quantitative Finance Program. Polaris is already a well- Polaris Financial Group Vice known benefactor of NTU. Four Chairman Fred Pai noted that years ago, the group teamed what distinguishes the financial up with the university to set up industry from other industries the NTU and Polaris Financial is that the financial industry doesn’t have raw materials, Education Research Center. >> factories or inventories. He said NTU Financial Vice President Ming-je Tang and Polaris Financial Group President Shiao- The signing ceremony for that the nurturing of a dedicated da Lin complete the signing of the donation the new program took place at and effective financial elite to agreement. the College of Management. run this unique industry is crucial experts. This will benefit both the The guests of honor included for the future vitality of the financial industry as well as the edu- NTU Financial Vice President nation. Pai added that he expects cational program here at NTU. Ming-je Tang, Polaris Financial the new program to cultivate Group President Shiao-da Lin, internationalized financial pro- The Quantitative Finance Polaris Financial Group Vice fessionals in Taiwan. Program will accept 50 students President of Financial Market De- each year, and is open to all NTU partment Ling-he Chen, Polaris College of Management Dean students. The program’s eight core Financial Group Vice Executive Mao-wei Hung expressed his courses will be Macroeconomics Director of Financial Market appreciation to Vice President and International Finance, Department Jung-cheng Chiu, Tang for serving as the go- Quantitative Methods in Finance, Polaris Financial Group Vice between in the creation of this Financial Products and Markets, President of Risk Management program. Derivatives, Modern Investment Department Chao-shien Shieh, Management, Quantitative Chairman Pai commented that College of Management Associate Training Strategies and Simulation, unlike the IT industry, which may Dean Su-ming Lin, as well as Financial Engineering and donate just computer equipment, five department heads from the Computation, and Special Topics Polaris Financial Group believes in College of Management. Polaris on Financial Engineering. supporting academic programs and and NTU both look forward to this scholarships to produce financial academia- industry cooperative 2 / / 3 NewsletterNTU NewsletterNTU Special Report
NTU Researchers Develop Cleaning Compound to Break Down Dangerous Viruses and Bacteria on Skin
The 2009 H1N1 virus, aka swine bacterial and viral lung infections flu, has appeared in over 100 in particular, can be severe. When countries. While cases in North an outbreak occurs, the elderly America and Europe register and people with preexisting mortality rates of 2-4%, Asia cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal has managed to avoid a serious or metabolic diseases, anemia outbreak due to its hot climate. or who have weakened immune
>> systems account for the majority NTU Academic Vice President George Tai-jen Chen presides over the NTU-VirusBom press of those who come down with conference. severe complications and possibly undergone ample tests and has death. H1N1 mortality rates been proven safe for human use. around the world have reached 2-4%, but scientists are forecasting The successful promotion and that the virus will enter its peak application of NTU-VirusBom
>> period as temperatures drop this NTU Professors Shi-ming Lin and Chih-kung stands as a fine example of making Lee and Tamkang University Professor Adam fall. Shih-yuan Lee of the NTU Nano-BioMEMS use of NTU R&D achievements Group when most needed. NTU has Avian flu spreads primarily Nonetheless, the region has wit- transferred the technology for among birds, for which the virus nessed Tamiflu-resistant local NTU-VirusBom to a firm that is is highly contagious and deadly. H1N1 strains and the virus is now rushing to commercialize Death rates for humans infected expected to spread and become the compound and deliver its with the virus have reached 50% virulent as temperatures drop in benefits to the public. Thus far, or more because humans lack the fall and winter. the compound has been found antibodies. Consequently, this effective for three categories virus could develop into a major At a press conference on July of products: cleaning products, epidemic. 21, NTU Academic Vice President including sprays, dry hand George Tai-jen Chen announced cleaners, liquid hand soap, laundry Enterovirus 71, a form of en- that NTU Nano-BioMEMS Group detergent, wet towels and air terovirus that is global in extent, researchers had created a chem- fresheners; air filtration devices, readily leads to complications ical compound called NTU- such as filters in air conditioners of the nervous system. Young VirusBom that can be applied and air cleaners; and protective children are the group most externally to break down the gear, such as face masks and at risk of experiencing severe surface structures of nano-scale protective clothing. complications or death. Mortality viruses, including H5N2 and H5N1 rates for those suffering severe (avian flu), H1N1, Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 is transmitted both complications range from H1N1 and enterovirus 71, as well through the air and by direct 3.8-25.7%. as micro-scale bacteria, including contact. Outbreaks of the virus Staphylococcus aureus. The occur rapidly; it can spread across “dual-resistance” compound has a wide area and its complications,
2 / / 3 NewsletterNTU NewsletterNTU Special Report
NTU Faculty and Students Work All-out to Help Survivors of Typhoon Morakot Also crucial was holding Typhoon Morakot swept across NTU public forums and helping southern Taiwan on August 8, academics offer assistance to causing deadly mudslides and the government in conducting flooding. NTU faculty and students post-disaster reconstruction and responded by providing donations planning work. and disaster relief, and the uni- versity devised four channels for its In the wake of the typhoon, >> Brimming with enthusiasm to lend a disaster relief efforts. helping hand, members of NTU’s student resources were concentrated clubs head to disaster areas to take part in clean-up operations. initially on rescuing victims and One channel was to encourage hui Hsu Donation and Disaster providing them with safe havens. NTU students, faculty and staff to Relief Emergency Fund, a NT$10- As for follow-up issues such as make donations and provide relief million fund set up before classes relocation and reconstruction, to the victims of the typhoon. started this semester to ensure long-term recovery planning that students from stricken areas will require the combined Another channel was the can continue their studies at NTU. efforts of experts and scholars provision of emergency student from a wide range of fields, aid. NTU conducted an exhaustive On another front, NTU also including medicine, public health, check of all its students from promoted direct community environmental engineering and disaster areas in order to confirm service. On August 16, NTU meteorology. The university also that they were safe. The university student clubs set out for disaster encouraged NTU students to relied on its standing emergency areas to provide assistance under provide assistance and counseling student aid mechanisms as well the theme “NTU Has Love— at recovery centers in disaster as the NTU Alumnus Dr. Chao- Sending Love to Disaster Areas.” areas. OIA Helps New International Students Get to Know NTU and Taiwan
260 students from 96 institutions The lively activity acquainted the in 19 countries. students with the customs of Taiwan. After first meeting for a welcoming program indoors, Some of these new students the new international students will study at NTU for one semester were taken outdoors on campus while others will stay for a full tours led by students from the school year. No matter how NTU Foreign Student Association long they intend to stay, they all and NTU International Student experience feelings of anxiety
>> Students from the NTU International Student Information Service divide new international and unfamiliarity as they enter students into groups for campus tours. Information Service. The tours introduced some of the campus’ a new and different linguistic most scenic spots as well as and cultural environment. The The NTU Office of International the locations of important ad- series of OIA and student club Affairs held a welcoming activity ministrative offices. Afterwards, welcoming activities quickly for newly-arrived international the NTU International Youth Club familiarized the new international exchange students and inter- received the new students in the students with the NTU campus as national visiting students on Second Student Activity Center’ well as lifestyles and customs in September 9. This semester, NTU s Global Lounge for an activity Taiwan. is proud to open its arms to about highlighting Taiwanese culture. 4 / NewsletterNTU Honors
Two NTU Chemists Named Fellows of Royal Society of Chemistry T wo NTU professors in the Science of Advanced Materials,” achievements and honors. His Department of Chemistry, Prof. and now manages an outstanding honors include the National Shie-ming Peng and department pilot project. Being named a Science Council Excellent Research head Prof. Pi-tai Chou, were fellow of the Royal Society of Award, Ho Chin Tui Outstanding awarded fellowships in the Royal Chemistry adds to the many Scholar Award and Ministry of Society of Chemistry in June. The outstanding achievements of Prof. Education’s National Lecturer scholars were among just three Peng’s career. He was named an Prize. NTU appointed Chou as a Taiwanese chemists to be named academician of Academia Sinica chair professor in 2001 and as a fellows of the prestigious society in 1998 and a fellow of the Third distinguished professor in 2007. this year. World Academy of Sciences in Many faculty members of the 2004. Prof. Peng’s specialization lies Department of Chemistry have in inorganic chemistry and Prof. Chou focuses his research been honored with prestigious crystallography. His research on optoelectronic materials and awards over the last year. This interests include the synthesis organic molecular photophysics. reflects their determination and and characterization of metal His research interests are broad yet work ethic, for which they have complexes that have delocalized are all based on the fundamental drawn recognition in Taiwan and ground states and possess unusual principles of optoelectronics. from abroad. The department redox, spectroscopic, magnetic Chou has made contributions hopes its chemistry faculty will and structural properties, for as an innovator and initiator in continue conducting outstanding example the metal complex of each of his research fields, and research and playing a significant o-quinonediimine and diimino- is internationally regarded as a role in NTU’s march to become succinonitrile. Peng previously prominent scientific researcher. one of the elite universities of the headed the research project “Nano Prof. Chou has numerous academic world.
American Geophysics Union Presents NTU Geosciences Student with Outstanding Paper
Award isotopic compositions in bisections of deep sea sediment and pro- T he American Geophysics posed that vibrant microbial Union presented Chen Nai-chen, a activity in environments at certain graduate student in the Graduate depths causes an abnormal carbon Institute of Geosciences, with an cycle. The team’s findings provided Outstanding Student Paper Award an important clue for determining at the 2008 AGU Fall Meeting in whether the seas off Taiwan’s December 2008. Chen’s paper won a grant from the Ministry of southwest coast harbor abundant detailed her research team’s Economic Affairs to participate in a sources of the natural gas hydrate discovery of a special carbon cycle natural gas hydrate survey project methane. in deep sea sedimentation. Chen’s conducted by the MOEA’s Central international recognition brought Geological Survey. Her research Chen completed her the- honor to NTU by underscoring team included researchers from sis under the guidance of the excellence of the university’s the NTU Institute of Oceanography, Department of Geosciences Prof. education. Tokyo University and Nanjing Frank Yang. She passed her oral University. The team discovered defense to earn her master’s As an undergraduate, Chen abnormal changes in carbon degree this past June.
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NTU Ranks 102nd Among World Universities for Scientific Papers NTU ascended to the overall ranking of 102nd to ascertain the global academic competitiveness of among the world’s 500 leading universities in the Taiwan’s research-oriented universities. The ranking 2009 Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for system uses the categories of research productivity, World Universities released by the Higher Education research impact and research excellence to carry Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan out quantitative and qualitative assessments of the (HEEACT) on July 30. scientific research papers of the world’s 500 leading universities. In 2008, the council began publishing Besides the overall ranking, the evaluation includes rankings by fields. These rankings rate the world’s 300 nd rankings by field. NTU placed 32 in the field of leading universities across the six fields above. engineering, computing and technology and ranked 66th in the natural sciences. The university’s positions This year’s ranking includes another innovation. in the four fields of agriculture and environmental HEEACT designed evaluation weightings to lessen sciences, clinical medicine, life science and the social the unfair advantages larger universities would have sciences all reached the top 300. Notably, NTU’s in the rankings due to the greater volumes of papers performance in the social sciences ranking entered the produced by their larger faculties. Interestingly, top 300 for the first time, with a ranking of 217th. without this feature, NTU would have ascended to an overall ranking of 67th. HEEACT developed the Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities in 2007 in order
NTU Teams Grab Three Top Prizes at 2009 National Robotics Contest in August announcements, object delivery, audio-video capabilities, news Two teams from NTU grabbed reports and Internet-accessed three top prizes during the remote security monitoring. 2009 National Robotics Contest One Julia team member said on August 8. A “home” robot that in the future Julia could be designed by a team composed integrated with such already suc- of graduate students from cessful digital service platforms the Department of Electrical as 7-ELEVEN’s ibon kiosks and Engineering and the Department Apple’s iTunes Store in order of Computer Science and In- >> Prof. Li-chen Fu guided students from the to permit users to enjoy such formation Engineering won top Department of Electrical Engineering and Department of Computer Science and conveniences as purchasing tickets prize in the Dreams Come True Information Engineering in the creation of their “home” robot. or downloading music from home. category while also earning a champion’s prize of NT$200,000. home service robotics products. Department of Electrical En- ADAM, an intelligent robot arm A total of 147 student teams gineering Prof. Li-chen Fu, who created by a team from the competed for a combined NT$3.18 provided guidance to the Julia team, Department of Mechanical million in awards. said the purpose of the competition Engineering, claimed the com- was to promote the development The “home” robot team’s robot, petition’s highest award of of Taiwan’s robotics industry. This Julia, combines simultaneous NT$400,000. year’s theme of innovative home mapping with localization and service robots, he said, served to The annual contest is held navigation technology to allow stimulate students’ imaginations under the joint sponsorship of the the robot to move autonomously about products and provide ideas for Ministry of Economic Affairs and around an interior household companies to consider in developing the Ministry of Education. This environment. Julia also pro- new products. year’s goal was to build intelligent vides such services as voice 6 / NewsletterNTU International Corner
Regional Students Share Experiences at NTU’s Pacific Asia Student Seminar in August T he Pacific Asia Student Seminar 2009 got off to a lively start at NTU in the auditorium of the College of Liberal Arts on August 10. A total of 37 students from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Canada and Spain, accompanied by 17 facilitators, took part in the eight- day seminar which adopted as its main theme “cross-strait relations in the context of the development and integration of the Asia-
Pacific region.” PASS 2009, the >> NTU hopes the establishment of PASS will help students reconstruct their understandings and concepts of the Asia-Pacific region. first of what is hoped to be an annual event, was organized by These included Prof. Wan-yao Taipei’s Hsimending, the the NTU Social Science Student Chou of the NTU Department offices of the Executive Yuan’s Association and the NTU Taiwan of History, Prof. Rwei-ren Wu of Mainland Affairs Council and Japan Student Conference. the NTU Department of Political 228 Memorial Park, which was Science, Prof. Chi-chen Chiang of established in memory of the PASS is designed to give Soochow University’s Department victims of Taiwan’s White Terror. young people in the Asia- of Political Science, former Moreover, the seminar took the Pacific region the opportunity minister of economic affairs students to Kaohsiung City for to exchange experiences and and representative to the World two days to focus on the history of gain deeper understandings of Trade Organization Yen Ching- the development of human rights each other. This year, each day chang, and President and CEO in Taiwan. of the seminar was organized of the Public Television Service around a designated theme with Foundation Sylvia Feng. The Having succeeded in creating the aim of engaging students seminar also adopted a special an academic opportunity for in discussions concerning the open panel discussion approach. students from around the Asia- Asia-Pacific region and cross- This called for each student to Pacific region to share and learn strait relations in terms of the research a sub-topic chosen from about each others’ countries, NTU six categories: history, politics, the six categories above and hopes PASS will be established as economics, culture, human rights introduce it to their classmates for a regular annual seminar hosted and civil society. Students taking discussion. by countries in the region on a part in the seminar shared their revolving basis. The university ideas and had the chance to see In addition to attending class- looks forward to the seminar the world from the points of view es, the PASS students also got bringing more students together of students from other countries. acquainted with the path of over the coming years and Taiwan’s development by taking creating a brighter future for the Courses in PASS 2009 were field trips to cultural and political Asia-Pacific region as a whole. led by a number of renowned sites. These included the Red scholars and experts in Taiwan. House performance hall in
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College of Engineering Completes Successful Summer Program with University of South Carolina
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>> 1: NTU students work with USC graduate students in the lab. 2: NTU students enjoy outdoor activities with students from the University of South Carolina. 3: Students receive certificates from USC’s Prof. Amiridis and Prof. Chaudhry.
NTU’s College of Engineering college to collaborate on such an the South Carolina State House, started a new summer program overseas summer program, the museums, a zoo visit and baseball called “American Culture, college’s associate dean, Prof. games. Language and Research Pro- Chia-pei Chou, was assigned to gram” in collaboration with the escort the students to USC and Students who participated University of South Carolina this make a courtesy visit on behalf of in this program were from both summer. The four-week program NTU. the College of Engineering and offered three hours of English College of Electrical Engineering language instruction daily in the Morning English classes were and Computer Science, and mornings and assigned students divided into grammar, writing, ranged from freshmen to seniors. to internships in labs of their reading and vocabulary sections. Each student was assigned to respective specializations in On the first day, the students took a lab based on his or her major the afternoons. Students who a two-hour English Program for and year. USC recruited their completed the course earned Internationals placement test and best professors for the program three elective credits at NTU. were assigned to different classes and assigned each student one according to their levels. Ten to 15 graduate student as their lab The College of Engineering students from various countries trainer. In addition to learning has been active in expanding its were enrolled in each class. The technical knowledge, the students international cooperation with small classes allowed the students also made good friends and were NTU’s partner universities around to get more attention from their able to practice English in the the world in recent years. Though instructors and provided ample labs. Each student received an the college has collaborated on opportunities to communicate internship certificate at the end of research, held joint conferences with their classmates from the program. and promoted student exchanges around the world. The students with partner universities, the not only developed their English Though the academic aspects summer program posed a new skills, but also learned about of the program were challenging, type of challenge. Nonetheless, cultural differences. Furthermore, the students had time to enjoy the college not only achieved its USC arranged a number of the pace of life at USC and, most goal for the program, but also extracurricular activities for the importantly, they broadened their did so in a very successful way. students, including the July 4th horizons and made new friends. Since it was the first time for the Independence Day celebration,
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Center for Biotechnology Invites Leading Scientists to Promote Cutting-Edge Membrane Protein Research
W hile the primary res- 2 ponsibility of the Center for Biotechnology is the organization of core training courses and integration of teaching programs, 1: Participants pose for a group photo following Prof. Huber’s lecture. 2:Prof. Robert the center has recently begun to Huber goes for a dive. 3: Prof. Chikashi turn its attention to cutting-edge Toyoshima at the NTU Center for Medical Excellence research as well. 1 protein research is to be located 3 on the second floor of the CBT, and will have a medium-sized lecture hall with a VIP lounge for the distinguished lecturers. In conjunction with the CBT’s Cell Biology and Proteomics Core Facilities, the new X-ray diffraction In the wake of the success instrument of the Institute Together with the international of the “Maestro Lectures on of Biological Chemistry, the collaboration projects organized Structure and Function of Mem- outstanding Bio-EM research core by the Office of Research and brane Proteins,” which were of the Department of Physics and Development, visiting scholar held in coordination with NTU’ the Genomics/Proteomics Core programs will reinforce in-depth s 80th Anniversary in 2008, five Facilities of the Center for Medical research between NTU and world-renowned scientists (all Excellence, this lectureship will the laboratories of the visiting academician level, including provide NTU with an integrated lecturers. two Nobel Prize laureates) platform for structural biology and who took part in the lectures biomembrane/membrane protein This December, Profs. Robert have accepted invitations from research. Moreover, a small- Huber, So Iwata and Chikashi NTU to serve as distinguished angle X-ray scattering core facility Toyoshima will visit NTU again research chair professors. Their for determining the envelope to attend the First Formosan appointments took effect on structures of proteins in solution is Mini-Symposium on Membrane August 1. This special honor was being prepared in order to attract Proteins and Biomembrane achieved through the efforts of more principal investigators, Research organized by the CBT. NTU President Si-chen Lee, Vice especially those who are hesitant Profs. Johann Deisenhofer and President for Academic Affairs due to concerns over membrane Tom Rapoport are scheduled to George Tai-jen Chen, Director protein crystallization, to join this return to NTU in April. The CBT of the CBT Shih-torng Ding, as cutting-edge field of research. awaits the return of these world- well as the former and present class scientists with excitement Vice President Chen said of directors of the Center for Medical and looks forward to collaborating the Maestro Lectures in 2008, Excellence, Profs. Chen and Yang. on cutting-edge research in the “Our goal is not only set for the field of structural biology. This special lectureship on celebration activities, but for long- biomembrane and membrane term academic cooperation.”
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OIA Provides First Group Airport Pick-up Service for International Students in September House-NTU Changhsing Dorms. The well-planned service ran smoothly, and impressed the new students with the university’s administrative efficiency .
Having tested the system for two months, the OIA in July notified international students by email that it would be providing nine pick-up periods in September. Newly-arriving international students wishing to take advantage of the airport reception service were simply required to fill out an on-line form leaving their flight arrival information, terminal number and the time they wished to be pick-up. International students and NTU volunteer students pose for >> a group photo at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. When the new students arrived, they were greeted by OIA reception personnel dressed in red polo shirts The NTU Office of International Affairs provided a and holding a welcoming banner. The personnel group airport pick-up service for arriving international helped the students exchange currency and apply for students for the first time in September. OIA student mobile phone numbers, and tagged their luggage assistants and volunteer students welcomed 133 for delivery to their dorms. The students were also international degree students and international provided with face masks due to current global exchange students preparing to begin the 2009 concerns over the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. academic year on their arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. After being provided reception Finally, on arrival at their dorms, the international services, the students were delivered by a 43-seat students were greeted by dorm resident directors and chartered tour bus to Prince House-NTU Shuiyuan student volunteers who helped them move into their Dorms, the International Youth Center and Prince dorm rooms and purchase daily-use items.
OIA and International Youth Club Hold Taiwan Culture
Activity for New International Students >> The NTU Office of International New international students take part in Affairs was joined by the NTU a chop sticks holding contest during the Taiwanese culture activity. International Youth Club in holding a special Taiwan culture popular scenic spots in a program activity for NTU’s new inter- called “A Day in Taipei.” The stu- national students in the Second dents also shared local foods and Student Activity Center’s Global beverages and played games, Lounge on September 9. The including a chop stick holding event, designed to impress the to spur interaction between NTU’s contest and a balloon stomping new students with Taiwan’s local local and international students game. culture and the passion of her and help the international The Global Lounge is equipped people, introduced interesting students adapt to campus life with a large LCD display that food, entertainment and scenic at NTU and get local students to shows news programs from spots in and around Taipei City broaden their international vision. and the city’s MRT system, and around the world. It also displays provided fun activities. During the activity, the Inter- national flags and cultural items national Youth Club introduced from other countries and provides In the open space of the Global the students to interesting a bar and kitchen for international Lounge, the activity was intended eateries, night markets and activities.
1 0 / NewsletterNTU Research Achievements
Fully-Automatic AI Tour Guide Robot Premiered by NTU Students After Three- Years Development
A team of students led by Prof. Han-pang Huang of the Department of Mechanical Engineering introduced their fully-automatic artificial- intelligence (AI) tour guide robot to the public at a research presentation meeting held in the Gallery of NTU History on August 20. The team of students included Lin Kun-han, Huang Ruo-feng, Chen Tsi- huei, Chen Chih-fan and Chong Shu-yun.
Working in the Robotics Laboratory, the team used a budget of NT$3 million to develop the robot in three years. The robot’s main features include facial recognition, facial expression, vocal commentary, obstacle avoidance, site-specific vocal commentary, and two-dimensional and three- dimensional environmental mapping capabilities.
The guide robot uses video technology to
determine when a guest is present and invites the >> The fully-automatic artificial-intelligence tour guide robot attracts guest to select a site he or she would like to visit. the attention of its guests with its cute facial expressions and appearance. It then leads the guest to the desired location and provides site-specific commentary. Moreover, the maps and may be inaccurate by three to ten meters robot also introduces points of interest as it escorts or more, the robot his team developed is capable of its guest to the requested location. The robot’s lively simultaneously reconstructing both two- and three- neck movements and facial expressions imbue it dimensional maps and that these maps achieve a with a friendly appearance and help it attract and precision of up to ten centimeters. Huang said the maintain the attention of its guests. applications of this technology include making robots that serve as store guides and installing Prof. Huang says, “Another important feature of the technology on driverless cars. He said these the robot is its ability to construct two-dimensional applications could be highly profitable. and three-dimensional maps. For example, it can be placed at the Gallery of NTU History, or it can The research team chose the Gallery of NTU be placed at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, or the History as the location of the presentation con- National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, or anywhere, ference in order to demonstrate the guide robot’s and it will establish a complete map. After it capabilities in a real human environment and to establishes its map, it can navigate and provide allow guests to learn about the university’s illustrious commentary based on that map.” history. The team says the robot can automatically conduct mapping and guide guests through any Huang also highlighted one of the robot’s type of exhibition space. strongest features. He noted that while global positioning systems provide only two-dimensional
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NTU Designs Leading Software Predictor for Identifying DNA-binding Residues in Transcription Factors Fig. 1 (b) The tertiary structure of the complex with PDB ID 1YSA. The residues colored by red are those sequence-specific binding residues correctly identified by ProteDNA, while the residues colored by blue are the false negatives. >>
A “transcription factor” is a group of proteins that bind to specific DNA segments and either activate or repress the expressions of the corresponding genes. In molecular biology, transcription factors play critical roles in regulating cellular
>> Fig. 1 (a) The partial prediction output of ProteDNA with the polypeptide sequence processes. Therefore, understanding of Yeast transcription factor GCN4 in PDB complex 1YSA. how transcription factors function software predictor named is not merely of scientific interest; structure of PDB complex 1YSA. ProteDNA for identifying the it is crucial for making advances In Fig. 1(b), the residues colored residues in a transcription factor in molecular diagnoses and red are the sequence-specific that are involved in sequence- therapies as well as in emerging binding residues that were correctly specific binding with the DNA. biotechnologies. One basic issue identified by ProteDNA, while As reported in recent scientific in analyzing how a transcription the residue colored blue is a false articles, the tertiary structures of factor functions is to identify its negative. a large number of transcription DNA binding site. There are two factors are mostly unstructured, types of binding mechanisms in In order to accommodate dif- ProteDNA works completely based protein-DNA interactions, namely, ferent application needs, ProteDNA on analysis of the polypeptide sequence-specific binding and non- has been designed to operate sequences. In other words, it does specific binding. Sequence-specific under a high-precision mode and not depend on the presence of the bindings occur between protein a balanced mode. Users can select tertiary structure of the concerned sidechains and nucleotide bases, either mode when submitting a transcription factor and therefore is while non-specific bindings occur question to the web server. Under more generally applicable. between protein sidechains and the the high-precision mode, ProteDNA DNA sugar/phosphate backbone. delivers precision of 82.3%, The figures abore illustrate the In molecular biology, sequence- specificity of 99.3%, sensitivity of function carried out by ProteDNA. specific bindings correspond to 49.8%, and accuracy of 96.5%,while Fig. 1(a) shows the prediction sequence-specific recognition of under the balanced mode, ProteDNA output of ProteDNA for the genes and therefore are essential delivers precision of 60.8%, polypeptide sequence of Yeast for correct gene regulation. specificity of 97.6%, sensitivity of transcription factor GCN4, which 60.7%, and accuracy of 95.4%. An was assigned with Protein Data A team at NTU’s Center for article on the design of ProteDNA Bank ID 1YSA. Fig. 1(b) depicts Systems Biology and Bioinformatics was published in the 2009 web issue ProteDNA’s output in the tertiary recently designed an advanced of Nucleic Acids Research. 1 2 / NewsletterNTU Research Achievements
Microarray Core Laboratory Develops Novel Gene Detection and Analytic Methods for
Microarrays >> Patients with high expression of HLJ1 had longer overall survival and disease-free survival than M icroarray technology is patients with low expression. one of the central platforms transcriptional factor and mi- for functional genomics and croRNA regulatory pathway translational research in the analysis. The software is available genomic era. The Microarray Core on our website (http://biochip. Laboratory provides state-of-the- nchu.edu.tw:8080/SpecificDB/ art microarray platforms, one-stop mou). services and integrated databases, and collaborates with experts in The 16-gene signature and survival of biostatistics and bioinformatics patients with NSCLC (A. training set; B.
>> testing set; C. Risk Index of patients and to assist investigators with data 16-gene expressions). analysis. By accessing this facility, The Microarray Core Laboratory researchers are able to perform began two new research projects cutting-edge genomic research in 2009. One is the establishment and achieve research excellence. of quantitative gene mutation The Microarray Core Laboratory detection in cancer by MALDI-TOF has successfully established DNA mass spectrometry platform. several novel detection and This platform will be used for analytic methods for microarrays specific pathogen identification to identify and characterize in clinical specimens. The other metastasis-related genes. One is the establishment of a next- The lab has also developed is the identification of cancer- generation sequencing system for methods for the identification of related genes by oligonucleotide genome-wide association studies. gene-based lung cancer prognostic array. By using the array platforms signatures. Current methods These advanced strategies will the lab has established (Affymetrix are inadequate for predicting not only promote personalized and oligoarray), it has identified outcomes of treatment for non- medical care and provide effective a novel invasion suppressor and small cell lung carcinoma. The lab treatment in this post-genome tumor suppressor gene, HLJ-1. developed a 5-gene signature that era; they will provide outstanding HLJ-1 can suppress cancer cell predicts survival of patients with research results in academic areas. invasion, migration, colony NSCLC. Gene expression in 125 MicroRNA Risk-Score Analysis of 112 formation and tumorigenecity. NSCLC Patients. (Upper Panel) MicroRNA specimens of surgically resected HLJ-1 expression is often low in riskscore distribution. (Middle Panel) NSCLC was studied by microarray Patients' survival status. (Bottom Panel) lung cancer tissue (80%) and its Color-gram of microRNA expression and real-time reverse transcriptase profiles of NSCLC patients; rows represent high- risk and protective microRNAs, and expression is negatively correlated >> polymerase chain reaction, and columns represent patients. with survival and relapse rates in the results were compared with lung adenocarcinoma patients. survival rates. Risk score and Another novel method is the decision tree methods were used establishment of microarray to develop a gene expression analysis tools. The facility has model capable of predicting established a comprehensive outcomes of treatment for NSCLC. web server for microarray data The results were validated in an analysis and composite regulatory independent cohort of 60 patients signature discovery. This system and a published dataset of 86 integrates a microarray with samples.
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Microbial Genomics Core Laboratory Uses Genomic
(A) Identification of the Approaches to Study Infectious Diseases genetic locus associated with
the invasiveness of Klebsiella >> pneumoniae in Taiwan; and T he The Microbial Genomics (B) a critical 76-kilobase pair Core Laboratory was established to help exploit and expand clinical phenotypes and bio-samples databanks for the exploration of the unresolved problems of pathogens, which is one of the infectious diseases by genomic key issues for the understanding approaches. the establishment of animal of newly emerging infectious To achieve this goal, the core models for human infectious diseases. Moreover, the iden- lab has long focused on several diseases and studies the genomic tification of serum markers infectious disease related issues. evolution of pathogenic microbes for the sensitive prediction of It works on the development for specific infectious diseases. The the occurrence of infection of sensitive/accurate platforms development of new platforms related cancers is another topic for efficient detection and for the detection of unknown under intensive investigation. quantification of treatment pathogens that cause emerging In addition to research and responses and clinical outcomes infectious diseases is another development activities, the lab related to genetic variants for the major issue to the lab. has provided a variety of services microbes prevalent in Taiwan. for the researchers at NTU and The lab applies newly developed The current direction of the other institutions. The further technologies for epidemiological Microbial Genomics Core development of the Microbial and clinical studies in the search Laboratory is to apply its new Genomics Core Laboratory will for disease progression and platforms for the sensitive help in clarifying and making treatment responses associated detection and identification breakthroughs on important with genetic variations for further of causative pathogens from unsolved problems of infectious clinical application. It also pursues clinical specimens with unknown diseases. Effective Gene Targeting Service Earns International Acclaim for Gene Knockout Mouse Core Laboratory >> The reduced sizes of the KO embryo be used for cardiovascular research, and placenta show the growth defect a mouse that cannot destroy cancer is associated with gene C function. (left) The embryos of WT and KO at E7.5; the cells and lacks immunity to the KO embryo is recognizable by its smaller metastasis of cancer cells, a mouse size. (right) That the KO placenta is smaller and pale, and its umbilical vessels exhibiting slow learning and weak disorganized, coincides with the smaller memory abilities and a mouse with embryo on the left. the planning and establishment abnormal embryonic development. of the Gene Knockout Mouse Core These research achievements were rof. Lin Shu-wha of the College P Laboratory in 2002. Since then, published in such eminent journals of Medicine’s Department of she has successfully created over as Blood, Journal of Neuroscience Clinical Laboratory Sciences and 80 varieties of knockout mice. and Journal of Biological Chemistry. Medical Biotechnology and her Underscoring the international research team started using gene acclaim Prof. Lin has earned, the While the mouse is the most knockout mice to conduct research University Of Washington at Seattle com-monly used animal for into gene functions in 1995. The contracted her team to provide mammal research, the cracking team ultimately spawned a special gene targeting services. of the mouse’s genetic code and research team dedicated to animal discovery of its similarity to that of models for human diseases. Prof. The knockout mice created by Prof. humans has made the little animal Lin also began working with the Lin’s team include a mouse with even more vital to research into Center for Medical Excellence on abnormal blood platelets that can human gene functions. 1 4 / / 1 5 NewsletterNTU NewsletterNTU Teaching & Learning
NTU Biodiversity Research Center Co-sponsors First Cross-Strait Biodiversity and Forest Conservation Conference The NTU Biodiversity Research Conference topics included: Center co-sponsored the First long-term ecological sites and Cross-Strait Biodiversity and soil biodiversity research in Forest Conservation Conference Taiwan; sources and sinks of in Dehua, Fujian Province, China, greenhouse gases, biomass from July 27 to 29, together with energy, soil functional diversity the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and sustainable development Scientists from Taiwan and China attend >> State Forestry Administration of of forestry in Taiwan; phylo- the First Cross-Strait Biodiversity and Forest China and Daiyunshan National geography of mammals in Conservation Conference, which was co- organized by the NTU Biodiversity Research Nature Reserve in Fujian. During Taiwan and Fujian based on Center. the three-day conference, more molecular data; division of scenic- Strait and shares many similarities than 250 professionals listened recreational forest species based of species and ecosystems with to 40 speakers from Taiwan on zonal vegetation; compositions the Central Mountain Range of institutions, including NTU, and geographical elements of Taiwan. Experts from Taiwan Tunghai University, Academia vascular plants in Castanopsis and China agree that extensive Sinica, Tainan Science and fabric; and spatial distribution cooperation in research and pro- Technology University and pattern of dominant trees of tection for the two mountain Lunghwa University of Science Castanopsis fabric community in ranges could lead to great con- and Technology, and such Chinese Daiyun Mountains. institutions as the Chinese tributions for biological diversity Academy of Sciences, Beijing Daiyunshan is the first moun- and sustainable development. University and Fudan University. tain range west of the Taiwan Students in Professional Knowledge Enhancement Program Enjoy Time Together at Completion Ceremony another door must open. He went on to point out that continuing The NTU School of Professional students and encouraged them education should not simply be and Continuing Studies held a to never lose hope or give up on about commerce, with the student course completion ceremony in the themselves while on temporary taking the role of customer and International Conference Hall for leave from their jobs. He said academia filling the role of supplier. students who recently completed this is the time for them to be Instead, a balance should be struck the Professional Knowledge even more active in cultivating between the values of commerce (a Enhancement Program. This was their professional knowledge. source of revenues for schools) and the first time the school held such a Vice President Tang also thanks social responsibility (the impact of large-scale completion ceremony. the university’s instructors for knowledge). Over 300 students and instructors participating in the program and to At the conclusion of the ceremony, packed the conference hall, making Chunghwa Telecom for providing each student shook hands one- the festive night a standing-room- the program’s service platform. by-one with the school’s faculty only event. The school’s director, Andy Ruey- and staff before enjoying a spread Speaking at the opening of the shan Guo, a professor in the of tasty food. This provided ceremony, NTU Financial Vice Graduate Institute of Business opportunities for picture taking President Ming-je Tang extended Administration, told the audience and reminiscing about the exciting his hearty congratulations to the that when one door of life closes, times shared by all. 1 4 / / 1 5 NewsletterNTU NewsletterNTU Teaching & Learning NTU at a Glance
Wildlife Biologist’s Origami Exhibition and Workshops Hosted by NTU College of Life >> Science In the corner of the gallery was a message board that became covered in post-its with comments by visitors. T he College of Life Science classmates in graduate school invited origami artist and field at the University of California, biologist Dr. Bernie Peyton to Berkeley. Dr. Peyton developed hold an exhibition of his origami an interest in origami when artwork and lead a series of eight he was nine years old and workshops on origami folding ultimately began folding his during NTU’s annual Azalea own designs in 1998. Due to Festival. The inspiration for these the wildlife biologist’s many events came from Prof. Alex Hon- years conducting field research tsen Yu’s suggestion to Dean of and conservation work on the College of Life Science Grace endangered species, he makes Chu-fong Lo that the college put origami models of animals, which on an art exhibit by a scientist. The his amazing talent brings to life. two had long wrestled with the and provided information about Dr. Peyton has recently begun question of how to make science the process of creating origami to pair his origami animals with and its exploration at NTU more designs. After its run at NTU, the models of habitat in order to accessible to the general public, exhibit moved to a gallery at “reflect the importance habitat and this novel idea was deemed Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, has for supporting all life forms an ideal solution. giving even more people the including humans.” Dr. Peyton chance to appreciate the creativity points out that the art of origami Dr. Peyton and Prof. Yu were and science of Dr. Peyton’s art. and the scientific process are similar because both require a Each of the two-hour origami tremendous amount of math- workshops was attended by 25 to ematics, and because we are 45 participants, including adults surrounded by a folded universe and children accompanied by that we study through both their parents. Dr. Peyton, who disciplines. said, “origami requires spatial skills, hand-eye coordination and For the exhibit, Dr. Peyton the ability to envision how parts displayed 40 origami animals make up a whole,” was impressed which were grouped according with the natural ability of the to natural habitat and special folders at the workshop. themes such as mythology. Ceiling to floor-length banners described the artworks in Chinese >>
>> Each of the two-hour origami workshops was attended by 25 to 45 participants, including adults and children accompanied by their parents.
1 6 / NewsletterNTU NTU at a Glance
NTU Museums Group Holds Exciting Activities and Exhibitions This Fall
The NTU Museums is an assemblage of the ten museums of the NTU system headed by the NTU Library. While the library plays the lead in this group and is responsible for the planning, coordination and management of the general affairs and publicity of all the NTU Museums through its NTU Museums Office, each museum is self managed . The NTU Museums includes the Gallery of NTU History, Museum of Anthropology, Geo-specimen Cottage, NTU Heritage Hall of Physics, Insectarium, NTU Agricultural Exhibition Hall, Herbarium of National Taiwan University, Museum of Zoology, Museum of Archives and Museum of Medical Humanities.
The NTU Museums actively organizes special activities and exhibitions designed to encourage the members of the NTU family as well as the general public to explore the richness of the university’s rich variety of archived resources. One of these activities is the current “Discover NTU Museums,” which runs from September 7 to December 21. Guided by a map of the university’s museums, participants stroll around the campus on the museums’various scheduled guided tours. At the end of each tour, each visitor receives an ink stamp of the seal of the museum they visited. Participants with nine stamps then submit a composition of at least 200 words describing their impressions of the museums they visited. Each participant receives a souvenir charm pouch and earns the chance to win exciting prizes.
The NTU Museums and NTU Library also held a special joint exhibition to mark the tenth anniversary of Taiwan’s devastating 921 Chichi Earthquake. Located in the Civil Engineering Building, the exhibition ran from September 18 to October 21. Titled“Remembering 921, ten years later: Exhibition of National Taiwan University Research Works Spared from the Quake,”the exhibition displayed key documents, artifacts, research projects and digitally-archived resources intended to stir the public to reflect upon themselves and the future by contemplating their experiences of the deadly earthquake and the subsequent reconstruction efforts.
Those interested in exploring NTU’s museums will be pleased to know the NTU Museum offers regularly scheduled guided tours of the museums every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Webometrics Ranking of World Universities Places NTU 26th Globally, Second in Asia
NTU’s ranking in the latest Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, published by the Spanish National Research Council’s Cybermetrics Lab, rose from 55th place in the previous release to 26th. NTU, which is the only university from Taiwan to appear among the top 100, stood out as well in Asia as second only to the University of Tokyo. The top 21 spots were all secured by universities in the United States, with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology taking the lead, followed by Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley and Cornell. The University of Cambridge ranked 22nd and the University of Tokyo ranked 24th. The ranking evaluates the web presence of over 6,000 universities around the world in terms of content volume, visibility, richness of files and scholarship in order to promote the presence of universities on the Internet as well as open access to scientific information.
Publisher: Si-chen Lee Editorial Consultant: Lin-lin Ku Editor: Hsien-hao Liao Executive Committee: NTU Secretariat Publish Place: National Taiwan University Tel: 886-2-3366-3737 Address: No.1, Sec.4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617 Taiwan Website:http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~secretor/ntunewsletter 臺灣郵政臺北雜字第1146號執照登記為雜誌交