Taipei medical university

Laboratory of Advanced Medical Polymers

You-Ren Ji
https://hub.tmu.edu.tw/en/persons/you-ren-ji/

Research Field

Medicine

Introduction

Dr. You-Ren Ji is an Assistant Professor at Taipei Medical University (TMU), specializing in the intersection of synthetic polymer chemistry and regenerative medicine. Dr. Ji’s research focuses on the concept that precise molecular design is the foundation of effective clinical therapy. Unlike traditional biomedical engineering approaches that often rely on commercially available materials, Dr. Ji’s work begins at the monomer level, creating novel functional polymers tailored to address specific pathological environments.

His primary focus is the development of therapeutic biomaterials for neuroregeneration, utilizing conductive and zwitterionic polymers to bridge the gap between material science and neural regeneration. Dr. Ji is committed to mentoring students in rigorous scientific methodology, from chemical synthesis to biological validation, aiming to translate benchtop discoveries into tangible medical solutions.

Our laboratory possesses the infrastructure and expertise for advanced organic synthesis. We are equipped to perform complex air-sensitive polymerizations (e.g., ATRP, RAFT, ROP) utilizing professional Schlenk line systems and inert atmosphere techniques. This capability allows us to precisely control molecular weight, architecture, and functionality—a critical advantage in designing high-performance biomaterials.

Beyond synthesis, the lab features a comprehensive suite of equipment for material characterization and processing, including rotary evaporators, ultrapure water systems, and precision analytical balances. We offer a multidisciplinary training environment where international interns will not only learn cell culture and biological assays but will also master the fundamental techniques of chemical synthesis and purification. This dual focus ensures that our team members are well-versed in both the "design" and "application" phases of biomedical research.


Research Topics

We welcome interns to participate in the following cutting-edge research areas:

1. Conductive Hydrogels for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Repair This project focuses on synthesizing electroactive hydrogels that mimic the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of native nerve tissue. We aim to develop injectable scaffolds that can bridge the lesion site in acute and chronic SCI.

2. Zwitterionic Polymers for Immunomodulation & Anti-Biofouling We are designing next-generation "stealth" materials using zwitterionic polymers (e.g., poly(sulfobetaine), poly(carboxybetaine)). This research investigates their ability to resist non-specific protein adsorption and modulate the immune response (macrophage polarization) in implantable devices.


Honor

N/A


Educational Background

2022 Ph.D., Department of Biomedical Engineering, NTU-doctoral degree, National Taiwan University

2015 M.S., Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming University

2013 B.S., Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Tatung University


Job Description

N/A

Preferred Intern Educational Level

  1. undergraduate student
  2. graduate student
  3. BS
  4. MS
  5. Ph.D

Skill sets or Qualities

  1. organic synthesis
  2. polymerization
  3. analytical chemistry