The lab of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
Research Field
Dr. Ming-Jen Hsu is the Director and a Professor of the Department of Pharmacology at Taipei Medical University (TMU). With a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from National Taiwan University, Dr. Hsu has dedicated over two decades to advancing medical sciences and pharmacological research. Since joining the TMU faculty in 2003, they have held various leadership and academic roles, including serving as a Professor in the Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences. Dr. Hsu’s extensive experience in mentorship and departmental leadership provides an exceptional environment for international interns to engage in high-level research and professional development.
Led by Professor Ming-Jen Hsu, Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Secretary-General of The Pharmacological Society in Taiwan, our laboratory operates at the intersection of natural product chemistry and molecular medicine. We specialize in deciphering the complex signal transduction pathways that drive inflammatory diseases and cancer, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic candidates for sepsis, malignancy, and chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). Our research environment is highly internationalized, characterized by active collaborations with European partners, including the University of Cagliari in Italy. We are currently focusing on a flagship project involving a potent lead compound from the MT series (bioactive coumarins isolated from Magydaris tomentosa), which has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and protective effects against sepsis.
Interns joining our lab will engage with two primary research pillars:
1. Natural Product Pharmacology: Investigating the anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory potential of natural product derivatives and HDAC inhibitors
2. Metabolic Reprogramming: Exploring how metabolic shifts contribute to airway remodeling and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in asthma and pulmonary fibrosis.
Based within the Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences at TMU, we provide a rigorous academic setting and a comprehensive training ground for future PhD candidates. Our work offers a unique bridge from benchtop discovery to in vivo disease models, empowering students to investigate how small molecules modulate critical biological processes to improve human health.
Topic 1: Post-translational Regulation of Inflammation by Natural Coumarins
Description: This project investigates how the lead compound suppresses inflammatory mediators like COX-2. Unlike traditional transcriptional inhibitors, we focus on deubiquitinases (DUBs) and protein degradation pathways.
Topic 2: Metabolic Reprogramming and EMT in Lung Epithelial Cells
Description: Chronic respiratory diseases are driven by airway remodeling. This topic examines how aerobic glycolysis alters TGF-β-induced lung epithelial EMT
Topic 3: In Vivo Pharmacology: Sepsis and Airway Remodeling Models
Description: Validating the therapeutic efficacy of natural products or synthetic compounds in animal models. We focus on the protective effects of MT compounds or other potential candidate derived from our collaborators in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis models and murine models of asthma or lung fibrosis.
Leadership & Service:
Secretary-General, The Pharmacological Society in Taiwan (Present)
Director, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University (2020 – Present)
Research Recognition:
Principal Investigator, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Multi-year Research Grants
International Research Collaborator, Joint Pharmacology Research Initiative with the University of Cagliari, Italy.
Ph.D. in Pharmacology National Taiwan University (NTU), College of Medicine Graduate Institute of Pharmacology
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmacy Taipei Medical University (TMU) School of Pharmacy
Academic Experience:
2020 – Present: Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacology, Taipei Medical University
2015 – 2020: Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, TMU
2011 – 2015: Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, TMU
2007 – 2011: Assistant Professor, Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, TMU
2003 – 2007: Postdoctoral Researcher, Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, TMU
Job Description
Interns will do:
Conduct hands-on molecular biology experiments (e.g., Western blotting, cell culture, signaling assays).
Assist in the management and analysis of in vivo disease models.
Collaborate with a senior lab member through our "Senior-Peer" mentorship system.
Participate in weekly scientific meetings and contribute to data interpretation for international collaborations (e.g., with partners in Italy).
It's an ideal opportunity for students looking to 'test-drive' a research project before committing to postgraduate studies (M.S./Ph.D.) at TMU in Taiwan.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
We welcome applications from advanced Undergraduate (Year 3 or 4), Master’s, and Ph.D. students in the fields of Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Biology, or related Life Sciences. Candidates should have a foundational understanding of molecular biology. We specifically seek students who are motivated to transition from basic science into translational medicine and in vivo pharmacology.
Skill sets or Qualities
We aren't looking for experts; we are looking for students with a solid foundation who are ready to be trained.
Background: A basic understanding of biology, pharmacy, or life sciences.
Laboratory Familiarity: Basic experience in a science lab (even from undergraduate coursework) is helpful. If you know how to use a pipette and follow a protocol, we can teach you the rest!
Willingness to Master: A desire to learn specialized techniques such as cell culture, protein analysis (Western blot), or in vivo modeling under the guidance of our senior researchers.
In our lab, your attitude matters more than your current resume. We value:
Curiosity: A genuine interest in how natural compounds can solve complex medical problems like sepsis or cancer.
Proactivity: Someone who isn't afraid to ask "Why?" and is eager to jump into experiments.
Adaptability: A "can-do" spirit when navigating a new international research environment.
Job Description
Interns will be integrated into the research pillars:
Metabolic Reprogramming: Examining the impact of metabolites on TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in lung cells, a key driver of pulmonary fibrosis and asthma.
In Vivo Pharmacology: Validating therapeutic candidates in rigorous animal models, including cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) for sepsis and HDM-induced asthma models.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
We welcome applications from advanced Undergraduate (Year 3 or 4), Master’s, and Ph.D. students in the fields of Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Biology, or related Life Sciences. Candidates should have a foundational understanding of molecular biology. We specifically seek students who are motivated to transition from basic science into translational medicine and in vivo pharmacology.
Skill sets or Qualities
We aren't looking for experts; we are looking for students with a solid foundation who are ready to be trained.
Background: A basic understanding of biology, pharmacy, or life sciences.
Laboratory Familiarity: Basic experience in a science lab (even from undergraduate coursework) is helpful. If you know how to use a pipette and follow a protocol, we can teach you the rest!
Willingness to Master: A desire to learn specialized techniques such as cell culture, protein analysis (Western blot), or in vivo modeling under the guidance of our senior researchers.
In our lab, your attitude matters more than your current resume. We value:
Curiosity: A genuine interest in how natural compounds can solve complex medical problems like sepsis or cancer.
Proactivity: Someone who isn't afraid to ask "Why?" and is eager to jump into experiments.
Adaptability: A "can-do" spirit when navigating a new international research environment.