sign in sign up
<<
Home , Biophysics, Chemical biology

We look forward to seeing you on campus. Taiwan International Graduate Program

Chemical and Molecular Program (CBMB) in Drug Discovery and

Introduction

Under the leadership of previous directors, the and Program in Drug Discovery and Biotechnology – founded by TIGP, Academia Sinica in 2002 – has advanced to one of the best interdisciplinary programs in Taiwan. In the collaboration with leading universities in Taiwan: National Taiwan University and National Tsing Hua University, the program aims to enhance scholarly exchanges in order to benefit all parties on their overall research achievements and to increase the number of research professionals in the field in hopes of promoting the economic and social development of Taiwan. Over these years, the alumni and alumnae from CBMB have served in either academic institutions or biotech industry to contribute their expertise.

The program is divided into two tracks: Chemical Biology (CB) track and Molecular Biophysics (MB) track. CB track collaborates with Department of at NTU and NTHU while MB track collaborates with Institute of Biochemical Sciences and Department and Graduate Institute of at NTU and College of Science at NTHU. NTU and NTHU are the two top-ranked universities in Taiwan.

The program lays a special emphasis on five research fields, including (1) chemistry, (2) , (3) medicinal and biological chemistry, (4) molecular and biology and (5) key technology. In addition to categorizing our faculty members and courses, this way reflects the necessary integration of multiple disciplines involved in today’s biotech development. The core courses offered by the program are Experimental Molecular Biophysics, Advanced Chemical Biology I and Advance Chemical Biology II. Through the training in courses, bench skills and thesis research, this program intends to offer students with two unique strengths: one is to become an independent researcher capable of solving problems and the other is to have the vision and ability to coordinate teamwork. CB MB Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program (CBMB) ACADEMIA SINICA Taiwan International Graduate Program in Drug Discovery and Biotechnology

Faculty Members

Academia Sinica Joseph Jen-Tse Huang automated synthesis; Ph.D., National Taiwan University, synthesis of glycoconjugates and study of Medicinal & Taiwan their interactions with envelop of viruses Chemical Biology Protein misfolding and therapeutic strategy development in Wen-Shan Li degenerative diseases; protein Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University, and molecular probe design Chi-Huey Wong OH, USA Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Yun-Ru (Ruby) Chen Medicinal and Technology, MA, USA Ph.D., North Carolina State Univ., NC, Bio-organic and synthetic organic Chung-Yi Wu USA chemistry Ph.D., National Chiao-Tung University, Protein folding and misfolding; Taiwan Ching-Shih Chen and in t er ac ting partners; diagnosis and therapeutic development We focus on the development of new Ph.D., Pharmaceutical , of neurodegenerative diseases especially and efficient methods to prepare the University of Wisconsin, USA Alzheimer’s disease important oligosaccharides and use sugar Drug design and discovery, cancer array to address their bio-. biology, , signal An-Suei Yang transduction Jiun-Jie Shie Ph.D., the Johns Hopkins University, USA Ph.D., National Taiwan University, Chun-Hung Hans Lin Taiwan Antibody therapeutics and diagnostics Ph.D., the Scripps Research Institute, engineering and discovery; antibody Organic synthesis, chemical biology and CA, USA and phage-displayed drug discovery: We are interested in using Development of inhibitors for synthetic antibody library design as chemical tools to drug discovery; dissections of disease- study and address in biology related protein glycosylation and redox- Wei-Chieh Cheng modification Shang-Cheng Hung Ph.D., UC-Davis, USA Ph.D., Chemistry, National Tsing Hua Development of new chemical methods, Shih-Hsiung Wu University, Taiwan enzyme inhibitors, and small Ph.D., School of , University of as chemical chaperones; investigation of Carbohydrate Synthesis, Glycotechnology, Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA bacterial cell wall assembly and . Studies of structure-functional relationship of including protein, Rong-Jie Chien , polysaccharide, oligosaccharide, Ph.D., National Chiao-Tung University, polyketide and any small Structural Biology Taiwan Hsiao-Ching Lin Development of new synthetic strategies and methods; and the Ph.D., National Taiwan University, Shang-Te Danny Hsu study of the chemistry and biology of Taiwan (also specialized in Protein Chemistry) natural products and designed molecules Secondary metabolite , Ph.D., Utrecht University, the biocatalysts, drug discovery, natural Netherlands product chemistry Cheng-Chung Wang Molecular biophysics of functional dynamics and kinetics of proteins and Ph.D., TIGP-CBMB Program, Academia Yane-Shih Wang nucleic acids; folding mechanism of Sinica in cooperation with National Ph.D., Texas A&M University, USA topologically knotted proteins; solution Tsing Hua University Expanding genetic codes, protein state NMR Taiwan Development of new tools chemistry, protein polyhetero-Ub/SUMO and methodologies for carbohydrate modifications, biocatalysis and protein chemistry; development of new drug discovery technologies and methodologies for

2 3 Meng-Chiao Joseph Ho Chi-Yu Fu Lie-Fen Shyur (also specialised in Protein Chemistry) Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Ph.D., National Taiwan University, Ph.D., Boston University, USA , University of Alabama at Taiwan Structural studies of protein complexes Birmingham, USA Creation and structure-function study involved in signal transduction and cancer Cryo-electron , electron of novel for bio industrial biology; protein engineer of industrial tomography and image analysis application; plant-derived drug enzymes; structure-based drug discovery development for inflammatory diseases Tsyr-Yan Dharma Yu Chung-I Chang (also specialised in Protein Chemistry) Carmay Lim Ph.D., University of Texas Southwestern Ph.D., Washington University in St. (also specialized in Structural Biology and Medical Center at Dallas, USA Louis, USA Medicinal & Chemical Biology) Structural biology, , Membrane protein research and NMR Ph.D., University of Minnesota, structure-based drug discovery spectroscopy Minneapolis, USA Drug target identification and drug design Ming-Jing Hwang Jung-Hsin Lin using physical principles; development Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA Ph.D., University of Duisburg, Germany of methods for studying macromolecular Interested in all areas of computational Pharmacoinformatics; computational , especially those related to biophysics; bioinformatics; structural structural biology and post- biology; molecular simulations Steve S.-F. Yu analysis. Ph.D., National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan Metallo-enzymes and Su-Chang Lin Protein Chemistry bio-mimetics for catalytic conversions Ph.D., Life Sciences, National Defense of hydrocarbons; physiological roles of Medical Center, Taiwan To unravel iron-sulfur complexes in transcriptional factors from Prokaryotic systems the signaling mechanisms in immune Po-Huang Liang responses and cancer by structural and Chinpan Chen functional studies, and reconstitution of (also specialized in Medicinal & Chemical Biology) the signaling complexes (also specialized in Structural Biology) Ph.D., University of Maryland, MD, USA Ph.D., University of Washington, Hanna S. Yuan Kinetics, mechanisms, and inhibitors of Seattle, WA, USA Structural biology; Ph.D., University of Southern California, enzymes; anti-cancer drug discovery NMR; biophysics USA targeting protein-protein interactions; Structural and functional studies of RNA cellulose/hemicellulose degrading Che Alex Ma and DNA enzymes for biofuel production (also specialized in Structural Biology and Medicinal & Chemical Biology) Rita P.-Y. Chen Der-Lii M. Tzou Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, USA Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology, Ph.D., University of Cambridge, UK Structure and function of membrane GA, USA Protein folding and misfolding; mechanism proteins in drug discovery Structural and functional analyses of and prevention of prion formation; vaccinia viral proteins and protein- therapy of Alzheimer’s disease Chwan-Deng Hsiao protein complexes; solid-state NMR (also specialized in Structural Biology) Tsung-Lin Li characterization of steroidal conformation Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA Ph.D., University of Cambridge, Structural and functional studies of Cambridge, UK protein-protein and protein- nucleic acids Natural products chemistry; drug interaction discovery; structural and mechanistic enzymology;

2 3 Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program (CBMB) ACADEMIA SINICA Taiwan International Graduate Program in Drug Discovery and Biotechnology

Yu-Ju Chen Key Technology Ph.D., Iowa State University, IW, USA Analytical and ; biochemical and biotechnological Ruey-Hwa Chen James C. Liao applications of ; Ph.D., Michigan State University, USA Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University structure elucidation and unimolecular Protein ubiquitination in tumor promotion of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, dissociation mechanisms of bio and autophagy regulation U.S.A. Professor Liao is a world leader in Guang-Chao Chen metabolic and synthetic biology, Wei-Hau Chang Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, TX, particularly in the area of microbial Ph.D., Stanford University, USA USA synthesis of fuels and chemicals, and in the Structural biophysics; Low Post-translational modification of redesign of primary metabolic network. microscope. autophagy pathway; molecular signaling He also developed Network Component of protein (PTPs) in Analysis (NCA) and Ensemble Modeling Ying Chih Chang development and human diseases for analyzing transcription regulatory Ph.D., Stanford University, CA, USA networks, and designed synthetic (artificial) Biomimetic Smart Materials and Tzu-Ching Meng gene-metabolic regulatory circuits, which Interfaces; Rare Cell Isolation, Purification Ph.D., University of Nebraska Medical set the foundation for metabolic synthetic and Maintenance by Smart Surfaces and Centre, NE, USA biology. ; protein phosphorylation; Kay-Hooi Khoo nitric oxide biology in cardiovascular Chao-Ping Hsu system (also specialized in Protein Chemistry) Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, Ph.D., Imperial College, London UK CA, USA Yu-Ling Shih Development and applications of mass Charge transpor t and transfer in Ph.D., University of Cambridge, UK spectrometry- based protein modification advanced materials Bacterial cell division and cytoskeleton, analysis, glycomics and glycoproteomics; membrane response, and - glycobiology of cell-cell interactions in Charles Pin-Kuang Lai resistance mechanism inflammation and immunity (also specialized in Medicinal and Chemical Chemistry) Takashi Angata Wei-Yuan Yang Ph.D., 2010, University of British Ph.D., University of Tokyo, Japan Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana- Columbia, Canada Glycobiology Champaign, USA Bionanotechnology, molecular imaging, Autophagy, Biomolecular and Cellular extracellular vesicles (e.g. exosomes, Chi-Kuang Yao Imaging microvesicles), , cell-to-cell Ph.D., National Yang-Ming University, communication, pharmacokinetics. Taiwan Hsien-Ming Lee Fly and genetics, (also specialized in Medicinal & Chemical mechanisms of function and growth of Biology) NTU synapses, Ph.D., Purdue University, IN, USA Controlled-release of liposome for Steven Lin advanced drug delivery; biochemical Peter (Hung Yuan) Chi Ph.D., , University of applications of novel luminescence Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA materials including upconversion Ph.D., Yale University, CT, USA CRISPR/Cas9 mechanism and technology nanoparticle and photosensitizers; Protein Deciphering the mechanisms of development; Genome engineering; DNA / enzyme engineering recombination-mediated DNA repair; repair devising the strategies for prevention Keng-Hui Lin and treatment of various cancers that Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, USA arise because of recombination-repair deficiency or inappropriate regulation Microfluidics, Nano- and micro- material assembly; biophysics; engineering scaffold; 3D cell culture; of solid foam

4 5 Hwan-Ching Tai Jya-Wei Cheng Ph.D., 2010, California Institute of NTHU Ph.D., University of Washington, Technology, USA Seattle, WA, USA Understanding proteome changes that Structural biology, drug design; nuclear underlie aging and Alzheimer's disease, Lee-Wei Yang magnetic resonance and protein control mechanisms Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA Ping-Chiang Lyu against aging; development of protein ; Bioinformatics; mass spectrometry methodologies useful theoretical biophysics and chemistry; Ph.D., New York University, NY, USA for clinical investigations molecular model development; protein- Structural biology; biophysics; protein interaction; (non)-equilibrium bioinformatics Geen-Dong Chang dynamics, conformational changes and Ph.D., University of Illinois at interactions of essential enzymes, RNA Rong-Long Pan Urbana-Champaign, USA molecules, , channels and Ph.D., the Ohio State University, OH, Cell responses to oxidative stress, growth factors; peptide and protein USA machiner y and mechanism of cell design (wet and dry) A new look at the structure and function membrane repair, target identification of of vacuolar h+- pyro and h+- small-molecule drugs; development of Shih-Che Sue atpase; exploration on the plant end- analytical techniques for small molecules Ph.D., National Tsing-Hua University, binding proteins; bio . by ls-mass spectrometer Hsinchu, Taiwan NMR Developments and applications in Thy-Hou Lin Chung-Yuan Mou structural biology and pharmacology Ph.D., University of Michigan, MI, USA Ph.D., University of Washington, USA & 3D-QSAR; Applications of Nano porous silica Hsien-Sheng Yin simulation & Binding free energy analysis; nanopar ticle in biomedicine D.V.M. & Ph.D., National Chung Hsing to study drug reaction University, R.O.C. mechanism; metabolism- Jim-Min Fang X-ray , molecular related genes of Lactobacillus; construct Ph.D., Yale University, Conn, USA , molecular a stable food grade integration vector for Organic synthesis and chemical biology Lactobacillus. including synthesis methods, asymmetric Biing-Jiun Uang , bimolecular recognition, natural Ph.D., Yale University, CT, USA Wen-Guey Wu products and drug discovery Organic synthesis; Ph.D., University of Virginia, VA, USA synthesis; asymmetric synthesis The group is interested in the structure Chii-Shen Yang and dynamics of model and biological Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago, membranes, especially upon treatment IL, USA Chun-Cheng Lin with toxins or exogenously added . G-protein structure and signal transduction Ph.D., the Scripps Research Institute, We are also interested in applying NMR in plant, regulation and specificity CA, USA to study the structure and dynamics of study of G-protein signal transduction Syntheses of complex carbohydrates, site model and biological membranes. using fluorescent probe modified RGS specific immobilization of protein, and Yuh-Ju Sun proteins, structural and kinetics study nano biotechnology of photo sensory signal transduction in Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA halobacteria. Reuben Jih-Ru Hwu X-ray diffraction; macromolecular cr ystallography ; structural biology Tsung-Shing Andrew Wang Ph.D., Stanford University, CA, USA Bionano sciences & technology, gene Ph.D., Harvard University, USA therapy, organic synthesis and reactions, Understanding bacterial virulence silicon chemistry, science factors and host-pathogen interactions; Development of new and Dah-Tsyr Chang antibacterial agents; Design of new Ph.D., the Johns Hopkins University, functional reagents to solve biological MD, USA problems. Genetic engineering; bioorganic chemistry

4 5 Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program (CBMB) ACADEMIA SINICA Taiwan International Graduate Program in Drug Discovery and Biotechnology

Graduation Requirements International Experience

The CBMB program also offers students a chance to exchange Doctoral Programme cultural experiences with American scholars and students from

Duration 3-7 years UC Davis, California during their stay in Taipei in spring every year. It is also a great opportunity for students to gain the 23-26 credits depending on most up-to-date knowledge on pharmaceutical chemistry while Minimum university and department/ institute interacting with professors and students from UCD.

• Discussion in Advanced Chemical Biology (I) Courses offered by UCD professors are Fundamentals of • Discussion in Advanced Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Computer Modeling for Drug Design Chemical Biology (II) or Required Experimental Molecular and Lectures from Professional Pharmaceutical/ Medicinal Courses Biophysics . Students who successfully complete those courses • Lab Rotation may receive a certificate of completion from UCD, Dean of • Faculty Presentation • Seminar Mathematical and Physical Sciences and UCD, Department of • Colloquium Chemistry and will be able to use those courses to complete At least 12 credits must be taken program’s credit requirements for specialized courses. in the field of Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics to fulfil For more information, please refer to: minimum credits for graduation. http://www.ibc.sinica.edu.tw/ucd-as/ Specialised Specialised courses offered Courses by the CBMB: Experimental Molecular Biophysics, Advanced Chemical Biology I, and Advance Admission Requirements Chemical Biology II. Qualifications • Qualifying Exam Candidature is open to both local and International students with a BSc or MSc degree in the appropriate field from an • Pre-Oral Exam, Progress Report or Thesis Proposal accredited institute. Evaluation English Language Requirements Other • Minimum Publication Requirements Requirements For those applicants for whom English is not their first language an English test result of one of the following combinations is • Safety Training required. • English Requirements

• Ethics Course TOEFL IELTS GEPT

79 Internet-Based TOEFL

High Intermediate Computer-Based TOEFL 213 5.5 Please refer to CBMB’s website for detailed Level information. Paper-Based TOEFL 550

6 7 Application Process and Deadline VI. Supporting Documents If you wish to apply, please complete your application We highly recommend applicants provide supporting though online application system (highly recommended) documents relating to their professional experiences, (https://db1x.sinica.edu.tw/tigp/) or post your application publications, and other original works. with required documents listed below to the following VII. Proof of English competency is required for applicants address: from non-English speaking countries. With regard to the English proficiency requirement, CBMB applicants TIGP Admission Office Taiwan International Graduate Programme 128, Academia will be assessed in accordance with the following Road Sec. 2 policies. Nankang, Taipei 11529 Taiwan • Applicants whose first language is not English are The application deadline is 31st March required to submit a proof of English proficiency that meets the minimum requirement in one of the Required Documents following standardized tests as part of the application The required materials listed below must be in English. procedure. Original documents will be returned only upon request and must be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) I. Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree with signature of IELTS (International English Language Testing System) the registrar and seal of the issuing institution GEPT (General English Proficiency Test) (locals only) II. Official Academic Transcripts • The test must be taken in the last 24 months. Official transcripts with grading scales must be sent • Applicants with degrees from countries where English directly by the registrar of the institutions or submitted is spoken, but not all courses are provided in English, with the application form in sealed envelopes. An are not exempt from submitting an English proficiency explanation for any non-standard grading system is test result. highly recommended. • Citizenship from native English speaking countries does III. Statement of Purpose not automatically qualify an applicant for exemption The statement of purpose should comprise of a from the English proficiency test requirement if the brief statement of the candidates' scientific interests applicant's first language is not English. and career goals together with a description of past • Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s or accomplishments that are not evident from other master’s degree from an accredited college or submitted documents. If applicable, the result of any university in native English speaking countries research in progress may be specified. (United States, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), IV. 3 Letters of Recommendation New Zealand, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, V. GRE Score (optional) Ireland, Wales) are exempt from the standardized General and Subject scores of the General Test of the test requirement. If your country is not listed above, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are optional but please provide supporting documents or certificates to applicants are strongly encouraged to provide such prove that all courses were taught entirely in English. documents. Applicants who do not provide a GRE It is still highly recommended that the score of one result will instead be evaluated using the supporting of the above English proficiency tests is submitted documents submitted along with the application. for evaluation. If your country is not listed, we cannot guarantee that your petition for the English language waiver will be granted, which might place you at a disadvantage compared to applicants who have provided proof of English proficiency.

6 7 Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program (CBMB) ACADEMIA SINICA Taiwan International Graduate Program in Drug Discovery and Biotechnology

Selection Process Tuition Fee and Medical I. Applications are assessed based on a student’s academic record (degree certificates etc.) and Insurance Cost interview. Tuition fee is approximately NT$58,000 (basic fee + credit II. The method of admission Interview fees about US$1,812) per academic year. Six months after • International Students– Skype interview the international students receive the Alien Residence • Local Students – face to face interview Certificate (ARC), the student will be qualified for Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Program (NHI). The students Student Status and Degree are expected to pay the same premium as all the Taiwan Conferral Policy citizens and will be entitled to the same medical coverage. In application form, students should indicate which track (Chemical Biology or Molecular Biophysics) they want to Fellowship and Stipend pursuit for Ph.D. degree and their preferred institute to be assigned to (students applying to CB track will have The TIGP scholarship, payable to students as a monthly an option between Department of Chemistry at National stipend, is granted to all students admitted to TIGP for Taiwan University or at National Tsing Hua University; up to 3 years; the scholarship amount for first year is and students applying to MB track will can choose from guaranteed (NT$ 34,000/ US$ 1,060) whereas the stipend Institute of Biochemical Sciences at National Taiwan amount for the second and third year will depend on University, or College of Life Science at National Tsing students' performance. Starting from 4th year, advisors will Hua University). Upon completion of the programme, take charge of paying the students and the amount will be each student will be conferred a Ph.D. degree by the settled by both parties. designated partner university and a certificate jointly signed by the President of Academia Sinica and Director of TIGP.

8 9 Living and Housing Costs Correspondence and Information For more information about the program, please visit http:// Meals are available at modest costs at the Cafeteria/ proj1.sinica.edu.tw/~tigpcbmb/index.htm or contact: Dining Hall, the Chinese restaurant, and the Western restaurant of the Activity Centre, Academia Sinica. Dr. Chun-Hung Hans Lin CBMB program Coordinator The Sport Centre on campus is equipped with jogging Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica track, gym, swimming pool, aerobic court, tennis court, E-mail: [email protected] badminton court, and basketball court. The entrance CBMB Office fee for students to access the jogging track, gym, and swimming pool is NTD 50 (about US$ 1.5) per person. Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica 128 Academia Road Sec. 2, And there is an additional charge for accessing courts. Nangang, Taipei 115, Taiwan E-mail: [email protected] On campus Tel: +886-2-2785-5696 ext. 1164 Fax: +886-2-2788-9759 Self-catering single room is guaranteed for TIGP students for 1 year. The rent is NT$ 5,500 (about US$ 171) per For general information concerning TIGP, please visit http:// month. Please be noted that there is an additional charge tigp.sinica.edu.tw/ or contact: for parking space: NT$ 1,000 (about US$ 31) per month Ms. Huan-Yi Shen for car. TIGP Administrative Assistant Please visit http://tigp.sinica.edu.tw/Accommodation.html Taiwan International Graduate Program 128, Academia for more information. Road sec. 2 Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan Off-campus E-mail: [email protected] Rents for off-campus apartments range from NT$ 5,000 - Tel.: +886-2-2789-8050 15,000 per month. Fax: +886-2-2785-8944

8 9