My research began with PhD and postdoctoral training at Academia Sinica, Taiwan, under Dr. Li-Jung Juan, exploring epigenetic regulators in cancer and host-virus interactions. In 2011, I joined the Groth Group at BRIC, University of Copenhagen, uncovering synthetic lethality between nucleosome assembly and checkpoint signaling (Lee et al., Sci Adv, 2018). Returning to TMU as Assistant Professor in 2016, I launched an independent program developing anti-cancer compounds that induce replication stress to destabilize cancer genomes (Chang et al., J Clin Invest, 2024), earning promotion to Full Professor in 2025. These experiences drive my commitment to mentoring international students in a collaborative environment focused on cancer biology, genome stability, and drug discovery.
Core Research Focus
Our lab investigates how epigenetic regulators control chromatin dynamics during DNA replication and exploits these pathways for cancer-selective therapies. Key projects include synthetic lethality strategies inducing replication stress in colorectal and breast cancers, using advanced techniques like patient-derived organoid (PDO)/xenograft (PDX) models, high-throughput screening, and sequencing. We collaborate with chemistry experts and clinicians to design novel inhibitors for clinical translation.
Dynamic Team & Opportunities
The lab features a Ph.D. student, two dedicated research assistants, and fosters growth through hands-on training in molecular mechanisms and drug development. International students gain exposure to cutting-edge tools at TMU and Academia Sinica resources, with mentorship from my international experience.
Funding & Facilities
Continual NSC and TMU funding to support ambitious projects on genome instability. Access state-of-the-art facilities for epigenomics, proteomics, and preclinical models, creating an ideal hub for global trainees passionate about translational cancer research.
Carcinogenesis is the process that disrupts the strict regulatory mechanisms governing cell growth and death, leading to the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. Genetic and epigenetic changes are the primary drivers of this process; however, the timing and nature of these changes remain unclear, hindering the development of effective strategies for targeting anti-cancer drugs.
Our primary research goal is to dissect regulatory mechanisms governing cell cycle progression and discover more effective anti-cancer drugs/strategies that target genome and epigenome maintenance. Our previous study identified Tousled-like kinases (TLKs) as crucial for assembling chromatin and maintaining genome integrity during chromatin replication (Lee et al., Sci Adv 2018). Subsequently, we discovered several potent TLK inhibitors for targeting replication stress (Lee et al., Euro J Med Chem 2021). In collaboration with chemists, we have also developed numerous new small-molecule compounds that target vital cell cycle regulators, such as CDC25 (Narwanti et al., Euro J Med Chem 2023; Sethyl et al., Apoptosis 2024), and epigenetic enzymes, including histone acetyltransferases and methyltransferases (Sethyl et al., Bioorg Chem 2024) and deacetylases (Sethyl et al., Apoptosis 2024; Sharma et al., Euro J Med Chem 2022; Chu et al., J. Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023). Recently, we uncovered a list of epigenetic agents that can work in synergy with cell-cycle checkpoint kinase inhibitors to exacerbate replication stress and induce genome instability (Chang et al., J Clin Invest 2024). This research revealed the critical function of HDAC8 in chromatin replication and demonstrated a cancer-specific synergistic vulnerability between HDAC8 and checkpoint kinases, which holds significant promise for future treatment development.
- Invited talk, “Enhancing Replication Stress in Cancer through Epigenetic Inhibition and Combination Therapies”. 18th Asian Epigenomics Meeting, Gifu, Japan, 2025
- Selected talk, “Cancer-specific Synthetic Lethality between HDAC8 with Checkpoint Kinases”. The ASBMB-BSC Symposium on the Interplay between Epigenetic Regulation and Genome Integrity. Wuhan, China, 2024
- Invited talk, “The Role of HDAC8 in Replication Fork Integrity and Synthetic Lethality with Checkpoint Kinases”. 4th Taipei Epigenetics and Chromatin Meeting/ Taiwan Epigenetics Society 2024 Annual Meeting, Taiwan, 2024
- Invited talk, “Targeting Replication-coupled Genome Instability for Cancer Treatment”. The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.
- Oral award. 2nd Price. The 27th Taiwan Joint Cancer Conference, Taiwan, 2023
- Invited talk, “High-throughput Screening for Anticancer Drugs Targeting Cancer Genome Integrity”, Viture Guest Lecture, AKAFARMA-AKAR PIM, Taiwan, 2022.
- Invited talk, “Targeting Replication Stress in Cancer Therapy”, 2020 TMU-CWRU Joint Symposium, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, 2020.
- Invited talk, "Targeting Replication Stress in Cancer Therapy", CTSC Innovation Symposium, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA., 2019.
- Invited talk, “Surveillance of Genome Replication - Basic researches marching toward anti-cancer drug discovery”, The 4th Japan-Taiwan Joint Symposium for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan, 2018.
- Invited talk, “Mechanisms of replication-coupled genome instability”, 2nd Biomedical Innovation and Development Conference, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, 2017.
- Selected talk, “Tousled-like kinase 2 controls chromatin assembly and replication fork integrity”, Genome Instability, Gordon Conference, Hong-Kong Technology University, Hong-Kong, 2016.
- Invited talk, “System for detecting genome instability in replicating cells”, Integrating Pharmaceutical Research into Clinical Care, 11th PharmSci@Asia Symposium, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, 2016.
- Invited talk, “Tousled-like kinase 2 governs chromatin assembly and replication fork integrity”, Kinases as regulators of chromatin structure and transcription, 9th TRR81 PhD Minisymposium, Institute for molecular and tumor biology, Marburg, Germany, 2015.
- Invited talk, ¨Chromatin Replication and Fork Integrity Surveillance¨, Department of Pharmacology College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 2014.
2025 Professor, Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, Taipei Medical University. Feb 2025 – Present
2021 Associate Professor, Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, Taipei Medical University. Aug 2021 – Jan 2025
2020 Assistant Professor, Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, Taipei Medical University. May 2020 – July 2021
2016 Assistant Professor, Master Program in Clinical Pharmacogenomics & Pharmacoproteomics, Taipei Medical University. Feb 2016 – April 2020
2011 Postdoctoral Fellow, BRIC, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Laboratory of Dr. Anja Groth. May 2011 - Jan 2016.
2009 Postdoctoral Fellow, Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. Laboratory of Dr. Li-Jung Juan. Jun 2009 - April 2011.
2002 PhD, Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. Laboratory of Dr. Li-Jung Juan. Aug 2002 - May 2009.
2000 Master, Department of Life Science, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan. Laboratory of Dr. Hua-Wen Fu. Sep 2000 - Jun 2002.
Job Description
Imagine spending your summer or semester in Taipei working on research that could impact cancer treatment worldwide. Our lab is small, supportive, and international. We've mentored students from Ukraine and India who went on to publish in Apoptosis, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and beyond.
You'll have access to amazing facilities, mentorship from Prof. Lee (who trained in Denmark and collaborates globally), and the chance to co-author papers. Plus, you'll be part of a lab culture that values your ideas, celebrates discoveries, and genuinely cares about your growth as a scientist.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
- 3rd or 4th-year undergraduate students in biology, chemistry, or pharmacy.
- Master's students in any life science field (pharmacology, biomedical science, drug discovery).
- Passionate about science? That's what matters most!
Skill sets or Qualities
Essential: Curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
Great to have: Lab experience (even if just a class project).
Bonus: Careful, organized, and detail-oriented approach to work.
Plus: Friendly, open to feedback, and eager to collaborate.
English communication (we work in English, and that's totally fine!).
Love a challenge? Even better—this work is complex and rewarding.
Interested? Reach out to Prof. Sung-Bau Lee at sbl@tmu.edu.tw or Lab Manager Jimmy Yu at zyy0427@tmu.edu.tw
Job Description
Imagine this: A chemist synthesizes a cool new molecule. It arrives at our lab. You test it. It works amazingly well against cancer cells. Now you get to figure out why!
That's drug discovery in action, and it's seriously cool. Our team has already created potent compounds targeting key cancer proteins, with recent wins in top journals like Journal of Clinical Investigation, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and Apoptosis. You'll work in a relaxed, supportive environment where questions are encouraged, failures are learning moments, and every experiment brings you closer to understanding cancer.
Plus, you'll get mentorship from experienced researchers and collaborate with PhD students who'll become your friends and colleagues.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
- Biology, pharmacy, or life science students in your 3rd or 4th year of undergrad.
- Master's students in pharmacology, biomedical science, or drug discovery.
- Anyone considering a PhD in drug discovery or cancer biology.
Skill sets or Qualities
- Essential: Biology background (cell biology, biochemistry, or life sciences).
- Must have: Lab experience with cell culture, assays, or molecular techniques.
- Awesome to have: Knowledge of drug mechanisms, epigenetics, or cancer biology.
- Patient and careful with experiments (precision = better results!).
- Curious and not afraid to ask "why?".
- Organized and good at keeping notes.
- Great at working with others and sharing ideas.
- Can speak and write in English (we work in English—no problem if it's not perfect!).
- Excited to learn something brand new.
Think this sounds awesome? Reach out to Prof. Sung-Bau Lee (sbl@tmu.edu.tw) or Jimmy Yu (zyy0427@tmu.edu.tw).