BIO-Processing Science and Innovation, BIOPSI
Research Field
Dr. James Lai is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech). He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the New York University Tandon School of Engineering, with a focus on magnetic nanoparticles, and previously served as a bioengineering faculty member at the University of Washington. His research group develops novel bioprocessing technologies, including stimuli-responsive polymers and magnetic nanoparticles, and applies them to biomarker detection, clinical assays, therapeutic biologics manufacturing, and life science research. With over 15 years of experience as a principal investigator, Dr. Lai leads an interdisciplinary research group that works closely with both academic and clinical collaborators. Students and interns in the group are encouraged to take an active role in research projects, gaining hands-on experience in materials design, device development, experimental work, data analysis, and scientific communication. Dr. Lai is passionate about mentoring students and helping them connect fundamental engineering concepts with real-world biomedical applications. His research has been supported by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other organizations, and has led to the formation of two biotech startup companies, giving students exposure to both academic research and technology translation.
BIO-Processing Science and Innovation (BIOPSI) is a multidisciplinary research group at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech) working at the intersection of materials science, bioengineering, and medicine. Our research focuses on developing nanomaterials, biomolecule conjugates, and device technologies for efficient biomolecule isolation and bioprocessing. The overarching goal of BIOPSI is to create innovative technologies that improve access to in vitro diagnostics, enable high-quality biomolecule profiling for life science research, and facilitate efficient biologics manufacturing to support drug development. By leveraging advanced material technologies—such as stimuli-responsive polymer conjugates, magnetic nanoparticles, surface modification strategies, and microfluidic devices—we aim to enhance the sensitivity, specificity, speed, and multiplexing of clinical assays that physicians rely on for medical decision-making. Our research has resulted in patents and the formation of two biotech startups and is currently supported by multiple funded projects, including National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with ongoing international collaborations. International interns joining BIOPSI will engage in hands-on research, including experimental work, data analysis, device development, and scientific writing, while working closely with graduate students and the PI. The group offers a collaborative and supportive training environment with weekly group meetings, journal clubs, and one-on-one research discussions, providing students with strong foundations in research design, critical thinking, and scientific communication, as well as exposure to industry collaboration and technology translation.
- Temperature-Responsive Polymer Technologies for Biomarker Detection and Cancer Diagnostics. Sensitive biomarker detection is often limited not by detection instruments, but by inefficient sample processing and target enrichment. This research focuses on engineering temperature-responsive polymer–antibody conjugates to improve biomolecule capture, enrichment, and detection from complex biological samples such as urine. By integrating these polymeric reagents with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), we enable rapid, multiplexed detection of bladder cancer biomarkers with dramatically improved sensitivity and specificity. Students involved in this topic work on polymer conjugation, assay development, signal optimization, and diagnostic validation, contributing to scalable, non-invasive cancer diagnostic technologies that reduce reliance on invasive clinical procedures.
- Polymer-Induced Osmotic Systems for Serum Metabolite Isolation. Accurate metabolomic analysis using LC–MS is often compromised by protein interference and matrix effects in serum samples. In this project, we develop a novel osmosis-driven extraction platform that integrates temperature-responsive polymers (pNIPAAm) with semi-permeable membranes to selectively transport small metabolites while retaining macromolecules. This power-free, solvent-minimized approach simplifies sample preparation and improves metabolite recovery. Students working on this topic explore polymer phase behavior, membrane transport, and analytical sample preparation, bridging materials science with metabolomics and analytical chemistry.
- Osmosis-Driven Urine Processing for Cell-Free DNA–Based Cancer Diagnostics. Urine-based molecular diagnostics offer a non-invasive route for cancer detection, but low cfDNA abundance and strong PCR inhibition remain major barriers. This research topic focuses on a osmosis-driven urine processing platform that simultaneously concentrates cell-free DNA and removes inhibitory small molecules, enabling direct PCR amplification without conventional extraction. Students involved in this project work on membrane-based separation, nucleic acid enrichment, and molecular assay validation, contributing to practical diagnostic solutions for early bladder cancer detection and point-of-care testing.
- Porous Membrane Scaffolds for Controlled Release of Extracellular Vesicle Mimics. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold great promise for wound healing and regenerative therapies, but their rapid clearance from treatment sites limits clinical effectiveness. This research explores the use of gradient-porous PVDF membrane scaffolds to control the loading and release of EV-mimicking nanoparticles. By tuning pore size and multilayer membrane architecture, we investigate how nanoscale transport and retention can be precisely engineered. Students working on this project gain hands-on experience in membrane fabrication, nanoscale transport studies, and release kinetics analysis, contributing to next-generation delivery platforms for point-of-care regenerative medicine.
2020 Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) 2nd prize, Faculty Advisor
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB/NIH) and VentureWell
2017 Leaders in Future Trends (LiFT)
Ministry of Science and Technology (TAIWAN)
2004 Ticona Award
New York University–Tandon School of Engineering
(formerly Polytechnic University)
2005 Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
New York University–Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
(formerly Polytechnic University)
1999 B.S. in Chemical Engineering
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
1995 A.D. in Chemical Engineering
National Taipei Institute of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
Job Description
This internship focuses on developing and validating a temperature-responsive polymer–antibody conjugate platform for selective isolation of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from saliva, enabling improved detection of oral cavity cancer biomarkers. Interns will actively participate in hands-on experiments, including preparing saliva samples and EV standards, mixing and incubating polymer–antibody conjugates with specimens, inducing temperature-triggered polymer aggregation, separating EV-bound aggregates via centrifugation, and resolubilizing captured EVs for downstream analysis. They will also measure capture efficiency using fluorescence-based assays, compare performance with control or conventional isolation methods, document procedures and results, and contribute to data interpretation. This role provides direct experience in biomaterials-based bioseparation, EV biology, antibody-mediated molecular recognition, and experimental workflow development within a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment. Through this internship, students will gain hands-on experience in:
- Biomaterials-based bioseparation and bioprocessing techniques
- Extracellular vesicle biology and isolation strategies
- Antibody-mediated molecular recognition
- Temperature-responsive polymer behavior and phase transitions
- Experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication
- Working in a multidisciplinary research environment spanning materials science, bioengineering, and diagnostics
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Undergraduate or graduate student in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or related fields
Skill sets or Qualities
- Basic laboratory experience is preferred (wet lab, biomaterials, or bioassays), but motivated students with strong fundamentals are welcome
- Ability to work carefully, document experiments clearly, and communicate effectively in English