After graduating with a Ph.D., I realized that my technical limitations might prevent me from delving deeply into certain research areas in the future. Therefore, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Yi-Chuang Chen at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, to engage in molecular biology and cellular physiology research. My research focused on using adenovirus as a vector for gene transfer in the central nervous system and investigating the signaling pathways through G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that counteract apoptosis. In apoptosis studies, I used serum deprivation models with PC12 cells, assessing cell death levels and apoptosis patterns using MTT assays, DNA fragmentation, and staining methods. The findings showed that stimulating the adenosine A2a receptor could activate PKA and PKC to reduce serum-deprivation-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, offering a distinct mechanism from the known neurotrophic factor pathways that counteract cell death. This experiment not only highlights the diversity of biological responses to external stress but also provides a new perspective for the treatment of neurological damage or degeneration.

After leaving Academia Sinica, I worked in a biotechnology company in Taichung, involved in new drug development, focusing on screening new drugs using traditional Chinese herbs. This experience deeply made me realize the significant research potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in modern academia and its vast business opportunities for the industry. It also helped me understand the synergy between basic research and its clinical applications in medical development. After joining the Institute of Chinese Medicine, I applied this vision, not only developing new drugs but also conducting research on the use of single herbs, compound formulas, or innovative formulations for the treatment and mechanism exploration of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and type II cerebellar atrophy, with several research publications and patent outcomes.

In new drug development, I was the first to discover that Gastrodia elata could activate the adenosine A2a receptor and exhibit neuroprotective effects. In collaboration with Dr. Yun-Lian Lin and Dr. Yi-Chuang Chen, we extracted effective purified compounds and modified them for the treatment of Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease. The new drug is currently preparing for an IND application, and we are establishing a startup company to continue exploring the potential of Gastrodia elata-derived compounds. Additionally, I recently published findings on a small molecule (SRT1720) that can activate PGC-1α and NRF-2 to counteract the toxicity of paraquat, providing promising therapeutic targets for Parkinson's disease research. In compound formula research, I also discovered that Huanglian Jiedu Decoction and Liu Junzi Decoction could be used to treat Parkinson's disease and alleviate chemotherapy side effects, respectively. In innovative compound research, through collaboration with the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Tri-Service General Hospital, I found that certain formulas could alleviate behavioral disorders in animal models of type II cerebellar atrophy, with clinical trials currently in preparation.

The goal of my laboratory is to screen the effective component(s) from Chinese herbal medicine and to study their mechanisms in treating neurodegenerations. Chinese herbal medicines could not only regard as our cultural properties but also play important roles in traditional or alternative medicines. The explorations of new drugs from Chinese herbal medicines are potentially important to the clinical medicines, basic research, and biotechnology industries. On the other hand, the incidence of neurodegenerations, such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and abusive drug-induced neurotoxicity, are increasing recently, however the proper therapeutic ways are lack. Therefore, I have set different models to screen effective component(s) from Chinese herbal medicines to treat neurodegeneration. These models include Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, ischemia, and abusive drug-induced neurotoxicity.