Drug Discovery and Development
Research Field
This is Shih's lab. Po-Chang was trained as a drug discovery and development scientist, and obtained his Ph.D. at UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK. He was then returned to Taiwan and joined a UCLA professor-led start-up to co-develop drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2, which was under phase II clinical evaluation in the US. Following that, he secured a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (standard program) to conduct research at Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan. Now, he is working as a tenure-tracked assistant professor at National Sun Yat-sen University.
This is a Drug Discovery and Development Lab, focusing on screening compounds from natural products and sythetic producuts, using cell-based models such as viability assay, western blot, flow cytometry analysis, and so on. We are trying to discover potent anti-cancer compounds, and are trying to further develop promising compounds. The molecular mechanisms of promising compounds will be vigorously validated. The ultimate goal aims for providing precision health-related research outcomes by developing targeted therapies.
- Design and sythesis of small molecules and PROTACs against selected protein targets such as STAT3, SNAIL, and TWIST
- Biological testing of compounds from natural products and synthetic products
- Molecular mechanism investigation of promising compounds from natural products and synthetic products
2021, JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Standard), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan
2020, Fellow of LEAP Program of Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan
2019, UCL School of Pharmacy Best PhD Student Publication Award 2018
2016-2017, Three times Conference Bursary for attending Conferences provided by Royal Society of Chemistry, UK
2016, Poster Prize at 10th BMCS Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Postgraduate Symposium, UK
Post-graduate training
1. Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo.
2. PhD, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK.
2 Vacancies
Job Description
We have a library of compounds, so the Job description 2 is the same as 1.
The job will be screening compounds obtained from natural products and sythetic compounds using cell-based models, aiming to find active compounds against cancer cells. The basic screening methods include cytotoxicity assays and western blot. More advanced methods include fluorescence-based flow cytometry analysis. If progress smoothly, the candidate shall be able to learn the above methods.
Preferred Intern Education Level
- Batchelor's, Master and PhD students are welcome.
- Candidates having background of chemistry, biology, pharmacy, medicine-related subjects are preferred.
Skill sets or Qualities
- Candidates showing pationate about sciences are preferred.
- Candidates who whould like to expand their experience are welcome, e.g. chemistry students would like to try biology experiments or vice versa.
- Candidates having sufficient English or Chinese levels that can discuss sciences are preferred.
- Candidates having hands-on experience in any kind of experiments are preferred, not required.
1 Vacancy
Job Description
N/A
Preferred Intern Education Level
- Batchelor's, Master and PhD students are welcome.
- Candidates having background of chemistry, biology, pharmacy, medicine-related subjects are preferred.
Skill sets or Qualities
- Candidates showing pationate about sciences are preferred.
- Candidates who whould like to expand their experience are welcome, e.g. chemistry students would like to try biology experiments or vice versa.
- Candidates having sufficient English or Chinese levels that can discuss sciences are preferred.
- Candidates having hands-on experience in any kind of experiments are preferred, not required.