Chien-Sheng Chen, PhD, is a scientist specializing in nano/micro-biosensing technologies and proteome microarrays. He earned his PhD from Cornell University in 2005 and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at the High Throughput Biology Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In 2008, he joined the faculty of the Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Institute at National Central University, Taiwan. He has also served as a visiting scholar at Cornell University, contributing to both the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Professor Chen’s research centers on the development of innovative nano/micro-biosensing assays for rapid detection and proteomic discovery. Leveraging cutting-edge proteome chip platforms, his work spans protein function discovery, protein–protein interactions, host–microbe interactions, and biomarker identification. These technologies have been broadly applied across diverse biomedical projects, substantially advancing the scope and impact of proteomics research. His contributions are reflected in publications in leading journals, including Nature Methods, Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, and Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
Professor Chen has served as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Integrated OMICS and as an Academic Editor for PLoS One. He has received multiple honors, including the Outstanding Research Award, the title of Distinguished Professor at National Central University, and the Academia Sinica Research Award for Junior Research Investigators.
Currently, Professor Chen is President of the Taiwan Proteomics Society, a faculty member of the College of Medicine, and Director of the Department of Food Safety at National Cheng Kung University. He continues to lead pioneering research in proteome microarrays, making sustained and influential contributions to proteomics and translational biosensing technologies.
NCKU HitLab (High Throughput Biosensing Laboratory) is a research laboratory and advanced technology platform based at the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan, Taiwan. It focuses on cutting-edge proteomic technologies and high-throughput biosensing methods that support both basic research and translational biomedical applications.
🔬 Core Focus and Mission
NCKU HitLab specializes in high-throughput protein microarray and biosensing technologies aimed at rapidly analyzing and interpreting complex biological systems. The lab’s mission is to:
Develop and apply advanced proteome microarray platforms for comprehensive protein interaction analysis.
Enable biomarker discovery, antibody profiling, and host-pathogen interaction studies using sensitive and systematic detection assays.
Provide technical services and collaborative support to researchers in academia, medicine, and biotechnology industries.
🧪 Technology
The lab’s work centers on protein microarrays, which are powerful tools capable of simultaneously analyzing thousands of proteins for:
Protein–protein interaction studies
Antibody specificity and affinity profiling
Disease biomarker screening
Drug target characterization
🤝 Collaboration and Impact
NCKU HitLab is often engaged in collaborative scientific events and interdisciplinary meetings, where it showcases its technological services and research outcomes. For example, the HitLab team participates in national and international conferences to promote proteome microarray technology and explore cross-sector partnerships in precision medicine and biotechnology.
👥 Team and Affiliations
The laboratory includes researchers, graduate students, and technical personnel contributing to both methodological innovation and service delivery. It operates within NCKU’s Department of Food Safety, College of Medicine, and also supports the Protein Microarray & Biotech Service Alliance, a platform that bridges academic research with industrial needs.
📍 Location & Contact
NCKU HitLab is located on the 9th floor of the Biomedical Excellence Building at National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. It functions both as a research hub and as a service center for proteomic technologies.
The research conducted at NCKU HitLab centers on high-throughput biosensing and proteome-scale analysis, integrating engineering, proteomics, immunology, and translational medicine to systematically decode protein interactions and immune responses. The major research topics are outlined below.
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Proteome Microarray Technology Development
A core research direction is the development and optimization of large-scale proteome microarrays, including bacterial, yeast, and human proteomes. These platforms, combined with nano/micro-biosensing technologies, enable simultaneous interrogation of thousands of proteins in a single experiment. Emphasis is placed on assay sensitivity, reproducibility, and scalability to support both discovery research and applied biomedical studies.
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Antibodyome Profiling and Immune Response Mapping
Proteome-wide antibody profiling constitutes a major research theme. By analyzing IgG, IgA, and other antibody isotypes in clinical samples, this research maps antibody–antigen interactions at a systems level. The resulting antibodyome profiles are used to identify disease-associated immune signatures, characterize infection- or microbiota-driven responses, and discover diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers.
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Host–Microbe Interaction and Molecular Mimicry
Another key focus is the study of host–microbe interactions, particularly immune recognition of microbial proteins. Using bacterial proteome microarrays, this research investigates cross-reactive antibodies and molecular mimicry between microbial and human proteins, providing mechanistic insights into infection-associated inflammation, autoimmunity, and immune-mediated diseases.
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Biomarker Discovery and Translational Applications
Proteome microarray platforms are applied to biomarker discovery across a wide range of clinical contexts, including infectious, inflammatory, neurological, and immune-related diseases. By integrating high-throughput proteomic data with bioinformatics and clinical information, this research supports early disease detection, patient stratification, and precision medicine.
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Integrated Biosensing Platforms and Collaborative Services
In addition to fundamental research, efforts are directed toward building integrated, service-ready biosensing platforms. These platforms provide standardized experimental workflows and data analysis pipelines to support academic, clinical, and industrial collaborations, accelerating the translation of proteomic discoveries into practical biomedical applications.
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In summary, the research themes collectively establish a proteome-scale, immune-centric biosensing framework that advances both fundamental proteomics and translational biomedical research, positioning NCKU HitLab as a hub for high-throughput protein analysis and precision biomarker discovery.
2018, 2021, 2022 National Innovation Award, Taiwan
2014-2018 Distinguished professor, National Central University
2013 Academia Sinica Research Award for Junior Research Investigators
Postdoctoral fellow Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins Universi
Ph.D. Department of Food Science and Technology, Cornell University University
Job Description
Focus:
Protein microarray experiments
Assay development and laboratory workflows
Responsibilities:
Assist in protein handling, sample preparation, and assay execution
Learn experimental design and troubleshooting
Maintain accurate lab records and follow SOPs
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Preferred Academic Background
Biomedical Engineering, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Medicine, Pharmacy, Food Science, or related fields
Senior undergraduate students or recent graduates are welcome
Skill sets or Qualities
Technical Skills (any of the following is a plus, not mandatory):
Basic laboratory experience (wet lab or computational)
Familiarity with biology, biochemistry, or molecular biology concepts
Basic data analysis skills (Excel, R, Python, or similar tools)
Interest in proteomics, biosensors, diagnostics, or translational research
Language & Communication
Ability to communicate and work in English (spoken and written)
Willingness to present ideas and ask questions
Personal Qualities We Value:
Strong motivation to pursue graduate studies (Master’s or PhD)
Curiosity and genuine interest in scientific research
Willingness to learn, take feedback, and improve
Responsibility, good time management, and attention to detail
Ability to work independently as well as in a team
Openness to interdisciplinary research and new technologies
What Interns Will Gain:
Hands-on research experience in a cutting-edge academic laboratory
Close mentorship from faculty and senior researchers
Exposure to international academic research culture in Taiwan
A strong foundation for future Master’s application to NCKU
Potential letter of recommendation for outstanding performance
Job Description
Focus:
Data processing, visualization, and interpretation
Responsibilities:
Analyze experimental data from proteome microarrays
Generate figures, plots, and summary tables
Support data-driven decision-making in research projects
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Preferred Profile
Background in bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, CS, or statistics
Familiarity with Excel, R, Python, or similar tools
Skill sets or Qualities
Technical Skills (any of the following is a plus, not mandatory):
Basic laboratory experience (wet lab or computational)
Familiarity with biology, biochemistry, or molecular biology concepts
Interest in proteomics, biosensors, diagnostics, or translational research
Language & Communication
Ability to communicate and work in English (spoken and written)
Willingness to present ideas and ask questions
Personal Qualities We Value
Strong motivation to pursue graduate studies (Master’s or PhD)
Curiosity and genuine interest in scientific research
Willingness to learn, take feedback, and improve
Responsibility, good time management, and attention to detail
Ability to work independently as well as in a team
Openness to interdisciplinary research and new technologies
What Interns Will Gain
Hands-on research experience in a cutting-edge academic laboratory
Close mentorship from faculty and senior researchers
Exposure to international academic research culture in Taiwan
A strong foundation for future Master’s application to NCKU
Potential letter of recommendation for outstanding performance