Natural Product Pharmacology Lab: Calcium Signals, Neuroprotection, and Skin Barrier
Research Field
Mentor Introduction
Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN has been working as a Faculty Member at the Graduate Institute of Natural Products at Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) since 2015 Feb. Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN has expertise in various state-of-the-art bioimaging technologies and a strong background in Pharmacology, Cell Biology, and Tumor Biology. Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN is interested in developing effective and novel agents beneficial to human health, especially focusing on anticancer therapeutics, neuroprotection, and skin barrier facilitations.
Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN received my doctorate in Basic Medical Sciences from National Cheng Kung University in 2010. During the Ph.D. program, Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN spent one year as a visiting researcher at the University of Oxford, UK. Before the Ph.D. training, Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN graduated with a major in Pharmacy from KMU and passed the Taiwan Pharmacist Board Licensure Exam in 2003. Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN developed an interest in ion homeostasis and tumor biology in Ph.D. training and further deepened my research to uncover the remodeling of intracellular calcium homeostasis and cytoskeletal dynamics during cancer progression during my postdoctoral training and fellowship development. During the faculty membership at KMU, Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN established interdisciplinary collaboration and expanded my research fields to the development of novel therapeutics targeting calcium transport systems and cytoskeletal regulation, the identification of effective and novel neuroprotective agents to alleviate the chemotherapy-induced neurotoxic effects, and the discovery of novel pharmacological approaches to facilitate the antioxidant defense mechanism and aquaporin-based cellular water transport to enhance skin barrier function.
Additionally, Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN has a genuine enthusiasm for teaching, mentoring, and inspiring students. During the faculty membership in KMU, Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN has been awarded Outstanding Teaching Awards and Outstanding Student Mentoring Awards several times. Moreover, Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN is experienced in international academic affairs, with a working history as the Director of Academic Collaborations in the Office of Global Affairs and the current position as the Section Director of International Affairs in the College of Pharmacy at KMU.
Lab/Institute Introduction: Graduate Institute of Natural Products at the Kaohsiung Medical University (GINP-KMU)
Humans have used natural medicine for centuries. Much clinical data has been gathered on its effects on humans, and as such, it is extremely valuable in health research. With its geographical location, vast differences in elevation, and great variations in the surrounding sea depth, Taiwan has a great wealth of terrestrial and marine natural resources. It would be of tremendous benefit to the health sciences if these treasures from nature could be studied and examined scientifically.
The Graduate Institute of Natural Products at the Kaohsiung Medical University (GINP-KMU) aims to cultivate the best personnel in natural products research and biotechnology, increase the quality and ability of the pharmaceutical service profession related to natural products, and pursue eternal academic achievement and leadership in biotech and the pharmaceutical industry.
Distinguishing Feature of GINP-KMU
Faculty: GINP-KMU has excellent professors with more than 30 years of experience in teaching and researching in natural medicine.
Education: GINP-KMU offers doctorate degrees and is proud to be the oldest natural medicine research institution with the most comprehensive program in Taiwan.
Research: GINP-KMU integrates professional educators in Chemistry, Pharmacology, Medicine, and Molecular Biology to actively seek and develop new research topics. The quality and quantity of research papers published by our students and staff in the natural medicine field are the highest in Taiwan.
International Collaboration: GINP-KMU actively organizes international seminars in Taiwan and encourages our students and staff to study and attend seminars internationally. GINP-KMU also provides short-term study opportunities for international students, and the academic results have been excellent.
The in vitro and in vivo study models combined with the state-of-the-art bioimaging techniques were applied to investigate the therapeutic potentials of novel natural products or small molecules against human cancer, peripheral neuropathy, and skin barrier dysfunction.
(1) To develop cancer therapeutics targeting the remodeling of intracellular calcium homeostasis and cytoskeletal dynamics of cancer cells.
The remodeling of calcium homeostasis has been suggested as an important event in driving the expression of the malignant phenotypes, such as proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. The dynamic reorganization of the cytoskeleton plays an important role in regulating cellular mobility. Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN’s research focused on developing novel therapeutics targeting cancer-specific calcium signaling networks and cytoskeletal remodeling.
(2) To explore neuroprotective agents to ameliorate the chemotherapy-induced neurotoxic effects.
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is one of the major causes of disability in cancer survivors receiving chemotherapy. However, no medication is recommended to prevent such adverse effects. Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN’s research group has worked on discovering novel neuroprotective natural products to ameliorate chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity. By applying an integrated platform of an image-based high-content screening system on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and animal models of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, several potential neuroprotective natural products have been identified.
(3) To discover the skin barrier protection facilitating the antioxidant defense mechanism and aquaporin-based cellular water transport.
Dysfunctional skin barriers caused by exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) and ultraviolet (UV) rays contribute to various skin diseases, emphasizing the need for effective protective strategies. With expertise in state-of-the-art bioimaging techniques and the input of collaborative resources, combined with functional study models of the human skin microenvironment, Dr. YIH-FUNG CHEN’s research group is investigating the molecular mechanisms and validating the efficacy of the high-potential skin protective candidates against UV- and PM-induced skin damage.
| 2022 | Award of Patent Approval, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2022 | Outstanding Teaching Award, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2021 | Outstanding Research Award, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2021 | Award of Patent Approval, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2021 | Outstanding Teaching Award, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2020 | Outstanding Teaching Award, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2020 | Award of Technology Transfer, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2019 | Outstanding Research Award, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2019 | Outstanding Teaching Award, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2019 | Outstanding Student Mentoring Award, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2018 | Outstanding Teaching Award, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2017 | Outstanding Student Mentoring Award, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2015 | Outstanding Research Award, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2014 | Independent Research Fellowship awarded by Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. MOST 103-2811-B-006 -025 - |
| 2013 | Outstanding Research Paper Award, Laser Medicine Education, and Research Foundation, Taiwan |
| 2013 | Travel Grant for International Conference by National Science Council, Taiwan |
| 2012 | Travel Grant for International Conference by National Science Council, Taiwan |
| 2010 | Awarded member of Bio-Inspired Sensing & Bio-Inspired Actuation Summer Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, U.S.A., by Taiwan National Science Council and U.S. National Science Foundation Joint Program |
| 2010 | Award of Outstanding Thesis by Tien-Te Lee Biomedical Foundation, Taiwan |
| 2007 | Graduate Students Study Abroad Scholarship by National Science Council, Taiwan |
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
| 2004/09-2010/07 | Ph.D. in Basic Medical Sciences National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan |
| 2008/11-2009/10 | Visiting Scientist Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK |
| 1999/09-2003/06 | B.S. in Pharmacy Kaohsiung MedicalUniversity, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
| 2022/08-present | Associate Professor Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2015/02-2022/07 | Assistant Professor Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2014/08-2015/01 | Independent Research Fellow (awarded by MOST, Taiwan) Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National ChengKung University, Tainan, Taiwan |
| 2013/08-2015/01 | Project Assistant Professor Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National ChengKung University, Tainan, Taiwan |
2010/09-2013/07
| Postdoctoral Research Fellow Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National ChengKung University, Tainan, Taiwan |
2 Vacancies
Job Description
To investigate the therapeutic potentials of novel natural products or small molecules against human cancer, peripheral neuropathy, or skin barrier dysfunction with in vitro and in vivo study models combined with state-of-the-art bioimaging techniques.
Preferred Intern Education Level
- Graduate student level.
- Major in biomedical sciences or related fields.
Skill sets or Qualities
- Fundamental knowledge and basic skills in cell culture, molecular cellular biology, and bioimaging techniques. English proficiency certificate equivalent to CEFR B2 level or above.
- Applicants who are interested in enrolling as graduate students at Kaohsiung Medical University are welcome.