Radiopharmaceutical Lab
Research Field
Dr. Chun-Yi Wu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Imaging and Radiological Sciences at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), Taiwan. He has received comprehensive academic training in biomedical imaging and medical radiation sciences, having earned his Ph.D. (2009–2013), M.S. (2005–2007), and B.S. (2001–2005) degrees from National Yang-Ming University. His education reflects a continuous and focused commitment to the development of advanced radiopharmaceuticals from both technical and translational perspectives.
Following the completion of his doctoral training, Dr. Wu gained hands-on experience in clinical and industrial environments as a Research Fellow at the Cyclotron Center of Global Medical Solutions Taiwan, Ltd. (2013–2014). This period provided him with extensive practical expertise in cyclotron operation, radiopharmaceutical production, and radiation safety management, strengthening his ability to bridge academic research with real-world clinical applications.
Dr. Wu began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at China Medical University (2014–2020), where he established an independent research program focused on molecular imaging, radiopharmaceutical sciences, and translational biomedical research. In 2020, he joined National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2024.
Dr. Wu’s research and mentorship philosophy emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on training, and translational impact. He is particularly committed to cultivating students with strong experimental skills, critical thinking abilities, and an understanding of how imaging and radiological technologies can be translated from bench to bedside. Through close supervision and active involvement in research projects, Dr. Wu aims to prepare students for future careers in academia, industry, and clinical research.
Our laboratory is dedicated to the development of advanced radiopharmaceuticals and molecular imaging strategies for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Over the past several years, we have successfully designed and synthesized a wide range of radiolabeled compounds, enabling detailed investigations of pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and tumor treatment efficacy in preclinical models. These efforts have established a strong technical foundation in radiochemistry, molecular imaging, and translational biomedical research.
While cancer research remains a central focus of the laboratory, our recent work has expanded to include non-oncological diseases with significant unmet clinical needs. In particular, we have applied novel radiolabeled translocator protein (TSPO) tracers to the detection and evaluation of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, as well as liver fibrosis and diabetes-related organ damage. Through these studies, the lab aims to demonstrate how molecular imaging can provide early, noninvasive insights into disease progression and therapeutic response across a broad spectrum of pathological conditions.
Since 2015, the laboratory has placed a strong emphasis on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), a unique binary radiotherapy modality characterized by its high tumor selectivity and minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Although Taiwan is among the few countries with the capability to conduct BNCT, its widespread clinical application remains limited by the availability of effective and safe boron delivery agents. Addressing this critical bottleneck, our current research focuses on the development of innovative theranostic boron compounds that integrate imaging and therapeutic functions. These agents are designed not only to enhance treatment efficacy but also to enable real-time monitoring of boron distribution.
Looking forward, our laboratory seeks to expand the therapeutic indications of BNCT and accelerate the translation of newly developed agents from bench to bedside. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and close integration of imaging, chemistry, and biology, we aim to contribute to precision medicine and to sustain Taiwan’s leading role in the international BNCT research community.
The overarching research direction of our laboratory is centered on the development of image-guided theranostic strategies that integrate molecular imaging, targeted radiotherapy, and immunomodulation to address unmet clinical needs in cancer and other complex diseases. By combining expertise in radiochemistry, nanomedicine, and biomedical imaging, our work seeks not only to advance therapeutic efficacy but also to enable rational treatment selection and real-time treatment monitoring.
A major pillar of our research is the development of theranostic boron-containing agents for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Building upon our early demonstration of the feasibility of combining high-intensity focused ultrasound with BNCT for head and neck cancer, we have systematically explored boron delivery strategies that improve tumor selectivity and therapeutic outcomes. Our studies on boron-containing gold nanoparticles functionalized with targeting antibodies have demonstrated that active targeting can markedly enhance tumor accumulation. In parallel, we have developed multifunctional boron nanocarriers compatible with magnetic resonance imaging, allowing simultaneous therapy and noninvasive tracking. More recently, we addressed a critical clinical bottleneck by establishing an automated, carrier-free synthesis route for 18F-FBPA, aiming to mitigate radiopharmaceutical supply limitations and facilitate broader clinical implementation. Moving forward, our BNCT research will focus on next-generation boron delivery systems, combination strategies with immunotherapy, and the establishment of personalized BNCT treatment paradigms guided by molecular imaging.
A second major research direction involves the development of radiolabeled small molecules for predicting and monitoring immunotherapy response. While antibody-based imaging agents targeting immune checkpoints such as PD-L1 provide valuable biological information, their large molecular size limits tissue penetration, particularly in the brain. To overcome this translational barrier, our laboratory is actively designing small-molecule PD-L1 tracers capable of penetrating solid tumors and the brain parenchyma. Beyond PD-L1, we are developing radiotracers targeting cytotoxic T cells and other immune cell populations, with the goal of constructing a comprehensive immune imaging platform. This platform aims to enable noninvasive patient stratification prior to therapy and dynamic monitoring of immune responses during treatment, thereby improving treatment selection and outcomes.
The third research focus is the development of radiolabeled materials for combined radiotherapy and photothermal therapy. Star-shaped gold nanoparticles, owing to their superior photothermal conversion efficiency, serve as an ideal platform for multimodal therapy. Our previous work demonstrated that 177Lu-labeled star-shaped gold nanoparticles enable lesion localization via SPECT imaging while delivering beta radiation for therapeutic purposes. However, local tumor ablation alone is insufficient for durable tumor control in immunologically cold cancers such as colorectal cancer. Recent findings highlight the synergistic potential of combining photothermal therapy with immune checkpoint blockade and cell-based immunotherapies. Future efforts will focus on optimizing multimodal treatment regimens and leveraging immune-sensitive radiotracers to visualize systemic immune activation.
Collectively, these research directions reflect our laboratory’s commitment to precision medicine, where imaging is not merely diagnostic but serves as a decision-making and therapeutic optimization tool. Through interdisciplinary innovation and translational focus, we aim to bridge the gap between experimental research and clinical application, while training the next generation of scientists in advanced theranostic technologies.
- Research outcomes from the Atomic Energy Science and Technology Academic Collaboration Programs were recognized as Outstanding Projects (2022, 2023).
- Merit Tutor, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (2022)
- Outstanding Paper Award, Taiwan Neutron Capture Therapy Research Society (2019)
- Distinguished Assistant Professor Award, China Medical University (2015)
- Merit Tutor, China Medical University (2014)
- 2009-2013 Ph.D., Dept. Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- 2005-2007 M.S., Dept. Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- 2001-2005 B.S., Dept. Medicine Radiation Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
Job Description
The intern will work closely with researchers to:
- Assist in the synthesis of precursors for radiolabeling
- Support radiolabeling procedures
- Assist in conducting in vitro assays to assess cellular uptake of radiotracers
- Support molecular imaging experiments
- Analyze experimental data and contribute to data interpretation
- Participate in regular research discussions and project meetings
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Undergraduate, Master's and PhD level candidates are welcome to apply.
Skill sets or Qualities
Students with a wide variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Studied subjects may include, but are not limited to: Biology; Biochemistry; Biomedical Imaging; Chemistry; and Radiological Sciences.