Da-Yeh University

Laboratory of Transgenic Animal

Wei-Tung Huang
https://dmb.dyu.edu.tw/data.php?id=132&tpl=6

Research Field

Biology

Introduction

Professional Appointments
InstituteDepartment/DivisionPositionPeriod
Da-Yeh UniversityDept. of Biomedical SciencesHead of Department2017/02-present
Da-Yeh UniversityDept. of Biomedical SciencesAssociate Professor2009/02-present
Da-Yeh UniversityDept. of Biomedical SciencesAssistant professor2002/02-2009/01
Academia SinicaInstitute of ZoologyPostdoctoral fellow1998/06-2002/01
Specialty   
Reproductive BiologyEndocrinologyDevelopmental Biology 

Our laboratory current topics are:

  1. Apply cell allotransplantation technology to transplant five types of human lung cancer cells and three types of ovarian cancer cells into zebrafish embryos. These cells are transfected with Desmocollin 2 (DSC2), BRCA1, BRCA2, BARD1, and RAD51 shRNA vectors to knock down their genes. The study focuses on determining the optimal transplantation location, cell number, and the effects of cancer cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis within the zebrafish, as well as the impact on the zebrafish's development. This establishes a live zebrafish culture analysis system. The development and results of this research method not only provide a reference and collaboration space for related studies but will also be expanded for cancer drug.
  2. The changes in the body color of fish are known to be related to the interaction of nerves, various endogenous steroids and proteins, and chromatophores (pigment cells).  The endogenous electric field within an organism is highly correlated with its development, regeneration, and cell physiology, and is even associated with cancer. However, there has been little research on the effects of electric fields on fish body color. Our laboratory has found that the morphology and pigmentation of black and red pigment cells in the fins of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)  and zebrafish (Danio rerio) can be altered by electrical stimulation of varying intensities. However, no reports currently explain the underlying mechanism.  We will investigate the effects of different voltages, electric shock durations, and frequencies on the morphology (pigment aggregation or dispersion), pigmentation (area, spectrum, and melanin content), and the expression of related genes (tyrosinase, sox10, Mitf, and dct) in the pigment cells of tilapia and zebrafish. 


Research Topics

1. Pigmentation Mechanism and Electric Stimulation of Zebrafish and Tilapia Chromatophores 

2. Micromanipulation of Zebrafish Embryos (Transgene and Xenotranplantation of Human Cancer Cells)

3. Cryopreservation of sperm, oocytes and embryos

4. In vitro maturation and culture of porcine oocytes and ovarian follicles


Honor
  • Excellence in Student Best Poster Competition at Annual Taiwan Zebrafish Symposium (2022/11)
  • Excellence in Student Best Poster Competition at Annual Taiwan Zebrafish Symposium (2021/11) 
  • Excellence in Student Best Poster Competition at Annual Taiwan Zebrafish Symposium (2019/11)
  • Student Research Creativity Award from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (2018/09)
  • Student Research Creativity Award from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (2017/09) 
  • Student Research Creativity Award from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (2016/09)

Educational Background
Education
SchoolCountryDepartmentDegreePeriod
University of GoettingenGermanyInstitut fuer Tierzucht und Haustiergenetik Dr. Agar.1993/9-1998/02
National Chung Hsing UniversityTaiwanDept. of Animal ScienceMaster of Science1989/09-1991/06
National Chung Hsing UniversityTaiwanDept. of Animal ScienceBachelor1985/09-1989/06

1 Vacancy

Job Description

  1. Zebrafish caring;
  2. Manipulation of zebrafish eggs;
  3. Manipulation of zebrafish chromatophores;
  4. Human cancer cell culture;
  5. Extraction of DNAs and RNAs;
  6. PCR

Preferred Intern Education Level

  • Junior or senior students

 

Skill sets or Qualities

  • Background knowledge of developmental biology;
  • Background knowledge of reproductive biology.

Internship-related fee required by the school/institution

We would like to inform you about the fees you will need to cover during your internship period at Da-Yeh University:

  1. Dormitory Fees: The approximate cost for a four-person room is around 3,000 New Taiwanese Dollars.
  2. Insurance: Students must have valid insurance for the duration of their stay at Da-Yeh University. We ask that all students obtain insurance before arriving at Da-Yeh University.
  3. Miscellaneous Fees: This may include costs such as books and other related expenses.

Please note that living expenses are not included in the above list.