中央研究院

UMAydis@IPMB

Lay-Sun Ma
https://ipmb.sinica.edu.tw/ch/people/ipmb_researchers/ma-lay-sun

Research Field

Biology

Introduction

Lay-Sun Ma is an Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology (IPMB), Academia Sinica, Taiwan, where she has been actively engaged in advanced research since beginning her Ph.D. studies there in 2006, which provided her with a strong academic foundation. Her professional journey spans prestigious institutions globally, including post-doctoral fellowships at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Germany (2014–2018) and Academia Sinica (2011–2014), as well as a visiting scientist role at Imperial College London in 2012. 

In 2018, she established a UMAydis@IPMB research group dedicated to exploring plant-microbe interactions, using the maize-Ustilago maydis pathosystem as a model. Her team studies the functions of extracellular effector proteins in the smut fungus Ustilago maydis and their impact on fungal pathogenicity, while also probing the apoplastic defense strategies of maize.

The UMAydis@IPMB research laboratory brings together a diverse team of scientists from Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Taiwan. It currently consists of one postdoctoral researcher, three Ph.D. students, one Master's student, and two research assistants. We warmly welcome self-motivated individuals—whether undergraduate or graduate students, interns, or postdoctoral fellows—with a deep passion for science to join us in unraveling the complexities of pathogenic biotrophs. Driven by a shared mission to safeguard and sustain the global food supply, our work seeks to understand how these organisms threaten crop production.


Research Topics

Our research interests

To uncover the invasion strategies of U. maydis and prevent the onset of initial infection, we focus on studying effectors located at the interaction interface of maize-U. maydis, aiming to reveal the following mechanisms:

  • Sensing and adaptation mechanisms
  • Effector regulatory mechanisms
  • Mechanisms by which fungal cells suppress apoplastic immunity
  • Maize defense mechanisms

Honor
  • National Science and Technology Council Talented Scholar Fellowship (2018 - 2021)                                     
  • Max Planck Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship (2014 - 2018)                                                                                            
  • Travel Award and Outstanding Poster Award, IS-MPMI Conference (2014)                      
  • Academia Sinica Postdoctoral Fellowship (2012 - 2014) 

Educational Background

EDUCATION

Ph.D., TIGP-MBAS program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University (2011)    

B.Sc and M.Sc. in Biology, Department of Biology, St. Cloud State University, USA                                                              

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

2024-now : Associate Research Fellow at Academia Sinica, IPMB, Taiwan

2018-2023:  Assistant Research Fellow at Academia Sinica, IPMB, Taiwan

2014-2018:  Postdoc at Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany; Investigated the role of a wall-associated effector in U. maydis.

2012-2014: Postdoc at the IPMB, Academia Sinica; Investigated the role of T6SS effectors in bacterial competition.

2006-2011: Ph.D. at the IPMB, Academia Sinica; Investigated the roles of two membrane components in T6SS machinery assembly.


Job Description

We are seeking a motivated research intern to assist with studies on the molecular mechanisms of virulence in biotrophic fungi and the defense responses of host plants. The intern will gain hands-on experience in interdisciplinary research focused on understanding host–pathogen interactions and plant immunity. Specific tasks will be tailored to the intern’s skills and project needs under the guidance of a senior researcher.

Benefit from Internship:

  • Hands-on training in genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology.
  • Exposure to experimental design and data analysis in host–pathogen research.
  • Experience working in a collaborative research environment.

Responsibility:

  • Assist senior researchers with sample preparation and laboratory experiments, including generating constructs/mutants, protein purification, gene expression analysis, infection, phenotypic/microscopic analysis, etc.
  • Support data collection, organization, and preliminary analysis.
  • Participate in lab meetings, research discussions, and presentations.

Preferred Intern Educational Level

Current enrollment in a senior-level undergraduate or Master’s program in Biology, Plant Science, Microbiology, or Fungal Genetics field.

Skill sets or Qualities

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior laboratory experience (coursework or research)
  • Have taken the following courses: molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, or cell biology.
  • Familiarity with basic bioinformatics or data analysis tools
  • Strong organizational and communication skills
  • Proficiency in English sufficient to read scientific literature and communicate effectively in a diverse laboratory environment.

Personal Quality:

  • Strong curiosity and motivation for research and a demonstrated willingness to learn
  • Ability to learn quickly and work independently, with clear and effective communication of ideas
  • Willingness to take on challenges and persist in problem-solving