Drug Discovery and Development
Research Field
This is Shih's lab. Po-Chang was trained as a drug discovery and development scientist, and obtained his Ph.D. at UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK. He was then returned to Taiwan and joined a UCLA professor-led start-up to co-develop drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2, which was under phase II clinical evaluation in the US. Following that, he secured a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (standard program) to conduct research at Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan. Now, he is working as a tenure-tracked assistant professor at National Sun Yat-sen University.
This is a Drug Discovery and Development Lab, focusing on screening compounds from natural products and sythetic producuts, using cell-based models such as viability assay, western blot, flow cytometry analysis, and so on. We are trying to discover potent anti-cancer compounds, and are trying to further develop promising compounds. The molecular mechanisms of promising compounds will be vigorously validated. The ultimate goal aims for providing precision health-related research outcomes by developing targeted therapies.
- Design and sythesis of small molecules and PROTACs against selected protein targets such as STAT3, SNAIL, and TWIST
- Biological testing of compounds from natural products and synthetic products
- Molecular mechanism investigation of promising compounds from natural products and synthetic products
2021, JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Standard), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan
2020, Fellow of LEAP Program of Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan
2019, UCL School of Pharmacy Best PhD Student Publication Award 2018
2016-2017, Three times Conference Bursary for attending Conferences provided by Royal Society of Chemistry, UK
2016, Poster Prize at 10th BMCS Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Postgraduate Symposium, UK
Post-graduate training
1. Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo.
2. PhD, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK.
Job Description
The job will be screening compounds obtained from natural products and sythetic compounds using cell-based models, aiming to find active compounds against cancer cells. The basic screening methods include cytotoxicity assays and western blot. More advanced methods include fluorescence-based flow cytometry analysis. If progress smoothly, the candidate shall be able to learn the above methods.
The job will also do literature review work.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
- Batchelor's, Master and PhD students are welcome.
- Candidates having background of chemistry, biology, pharmacy, medicine-related subjects are preferred.
Skill sets or Qualities
- Candidates with scientific mindset.
- Cell culture experience is a must.
Internship-related fee required by the school/institution
Interns who conduct their internship on campus must apply as visiting students at least 1 month before their arrival. They are required to pay the fees listed on this page
<https://oia.nsysu.edu.tw/p/412-1308-20683.php?Lang=en>
and complete registration/leaving procedures. Please note that NSYSU does not provide on-campus housing for visiting students. Interns will have to look for off-campus housing by themselves. Off-campus housing resources can be found on this page
<https://oia.nsysu.edu.tw/p/412-1308-20683.php?Lang=en>
Job Description
The job will be doing simple organic chemistry experiments to synthesize compounds, and/or isolation of crude extracts of plants.
The job will also do literature review work.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
- Batchelor's, Master and PhD students are welcome.
- Candidates having background of chemistry, biology, pharmacy, medicine-related subjects are preferred.
Skill sets or Qualities
- Candidates with scientific mindset.
- Having organic synthesis experience is a must.
Internship-related fee required by the school/institution
Interns who conduct their internship on campus must apply as visiting students at least 1 month before their arrival. They are required to pay the fees listed on this page
<https://oia.nsysu.edu.tw/p/412-1308-20683.php?Lang=en>
and complete registration/leaving procedures. Please note that NSYSU does not provide on-campus housing for visiting students. Interns will have to look for off-campus housing by themselves. Off-campus housing resources can be found on this page
<https://oia.nsysu.edu.tw/p/412-1308-20683.php?Lang=en>