Dr. Ming-Cheng Wu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), Taiwan. He concurrently serves as the Chief of the Service Division at the Center for Biotechnology, NCHU. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) at the University of Manchester, UK. His doctoral and postdoctoral research focused on the bio-engineering of antibiotic pathways and the development of riboswitches for microbial gene expression.
Since establishing the Bee Biology Lab at NCHU in 2018, the laboratory’s research spans three critical areas:
- Bee Health & Microbiology: Developing innovative probiotics (such as Kluyveromyces marxianus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides) and nutritional supplements like PQQ to enhance the learning ability and physiological resilience of honey bees (Apis mellifera).
- Bee Product Science: Utilizing multi-omics approaches (proteomics and metagenomics) to analyze pollen, beebread, and royal jelly, ensuring the quality and functional health benefits of bee products.
- Sustainable Pollination: Advancing the breeding of native bumblebees (Bombus eximius) to support crop pollination and agricultural biodiversity.
Dr. Wu is deeply involved in the academic community, serving as the Secretary-General of the International Society of Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology (ISBAB) Taiwan Chapter, and a Standing Board Member of the Taiwan Apiculture Society. He also serves as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief for the Taiwan Entomological Society’s publications.
With a research portfolio of over 30 SCI papers and 4 patents (ranging from honey identification to pest detection chips), Dr. Wu’s work bridges the gap between molecular biology and field-based apiculture. His teaching includes Bee Biology, Bee Colony Management, Insect Microbiology, and Genetics.
Established in 2018 at National Chung Hsing University, the Bee Biology Laboratory (BBL) is dedicated to safeguarding pollinator health and advancing apicultural science through an interdisciplinary approach. Our mission is to integrate biochemistry, molecular microbiology, and genomics to address the global decline in bee populations and to enhance the quality of bee-derived products.
The BBL operates at the frontier of three synergistic research directions:
- Bee Health & Physiology: We explore the fundamental physiological mechanisms of bees, focusing on how nutritional stressors and pathogens affect colony resilience.
- Advanced Bee Product Science: Our team investigates the biosynthesis and production mechanisms of royal jelly, bee venom, and honey, aiming to standardize and improve the quality of these high-value products.
- Bumblebee Breeding & Conservation: We specialize in the breeding and nutritional optimization of native bumblebees (Bombus eximius) to support biodiversity and crop pollination services.
Significant Achievements (2020–2025)
Over the past five years, our laboratory has made substantial contributions to the apicultural industry and academic community:
- Nutritional Mapping: We have completed biochemical characterizations of over 20 types of Taiwanese bee pollen, providing a scientific foundation for understanding floral resource quality.
- Microbial Library & Probiotics: We have successfully isolated and established a comprehensive bacterial library from honey bees and bumblebees. Notably, we have identified potent probiotics like Leuconostoc mesenteroides TBE-8 and Kluyveromyces marxianus to enhance bee immunity and longevity.
- Artificial Diets: By determining the optimal nutrients for bee bread, we provide beekeepers and biotechnologists with precise formulations for artificial diets that sustain colonies during nectar-scarce periods.
- Synthetic Biology Platforms: Leveraging Dr. Wu’s background in chemical biology, we developed lactic acid bacteria and yeast gene expression platforms for the biosynthesis of beneficial compounds to assist bee development.
Join Our Mission
The Bee Biology Lab is more than a research facility; it is a hub for innovation dedicated to environmental and agricultural sustainability. We wholeheartedly welcome researchers and students who are passionate about "bees" and "microbes" to join our team. Together, we can find scientific solutions to help bee populations thrive, ensuring a healthy ecosystem for future generations.
The Bee Biology Lab integrates biochemistry, molecular microbiology, and genomics to advance pollinator science and the bee industry. Our research is categorized into three primary thematic areas:
1. Bee Health & Nutritional Resilience
- Probiotic Development: Isolation and characterization of beneficial microbes (e.g., Leuconostoc mesenteroides TBE-8 and Kluyveromyces marxianus) from bee intestinal tracts and pollen to enhance colony immunity.
- Nutritional Physiology: Analyzing the biochemical profiles of various bee pollens and beebreads to understand their impact on bee longevity and gene expression.
- Artificial Feed Optimization: Developing high-efficiency artificial diets and supplements (such as soybean-based diets or PQQ) to mitigate nutritional stress in commercial honey bees.
2. Bee Product Science & Biosynthesis
- Production Mechanisms: Investigating the physiological and mechanistic pathways behind the secretion of royal jelly and bee venom to optimize yield and quality.
- Product Characterization: Utilizing metagenomics and proteomics for honey identification, adulteration detection, and the evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of bee products.
- Synthetic Biology Applications: Establishing gene expression platforms in lactic acid bacteria and yeast for the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds beneficial to bee development.
3. Native Bumblebee Breeding & Pollination
- Species-Specific Nutrition: Exploring the unique nutritional requirements and sensory preferences of native bumblebees (Bombus eximius) to improve captive breeding protocols.
- Crop Pollination Services: Evaluating and enhancing the efficiency of native pollinators for sustainable greenhouse and field agriculture.
Professional Honors
- Distinguished Associate Professor, National Chung Hsing University (2025)
Awarded in recognition of exceptional research performance and academic contributions.
Professional Service & Recognition
- Secretary-General, International Society of Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology (ISBAB), Taiwan Chapter.
- Standing Board Member, Taiwan Apiculture Society.
- Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Formosan Entomologist (Journal of the Taiwan Entomological Society).
2008-2011 Ph.D. in Chemical Biology.
Thesis Subject: Bio-engineering of Antibiotic Enduracidin Biosynthetic Pathways and PreQ1 Riboswitch.
Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Supervised by Prof. Jason Micklefield.
2002-2004 M.S. in Entomology (Physiology and Biochemistry).
Thesis Subject: Effects of juvenile hormone (JH) on the glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the fat body of Spodoptera litura larvae.
Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.
Supervised by Prof. Kuang-Hui Lu
1998-2002 B.S. in Entomology.
Thesis Subject: Effect of JHA on the fat body glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the larvae of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura.
Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.
Supervised by Prof. Kuang-Hui Lu
Job Description
We are looking for a highly skilled R&D Researcher to join our team. This role focuses on researching attractants for the Small Hive Beetle (SHB) to protect colony biosecurity. Key responsibilities for this work would be:
(1) Pest Control & Attractant Research:
- Research behavioral responses of the Small Hive Beetle (SHB) to various chemical and biological signals.
- Develop targeted lures and attractants for effective pest management within the apiary.
(2) Molecular & Biochemical Analysis:
- -- Utilize molecular biology techniques to monitor bee health markers and microbial activity.
- -- Conduct enzyme assays and protein analysis to validate the efficacy of developed feeds.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Education: Master’s degree or higher in Entomology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or Animal Science.
Beekeeping: Familiar with bee biology and possess practical experience in beekeeping.
Skill sets or Qualities
1. Molecular Biology Skills (Proficiency in at least one area required)
- DNA: Experience with DNA cloning, PCR, etc.
- RNA: Proficiency in RNA isolation, Reverse transcription-PCR, qPCR, etc.
- Protein: Skilled in Western blotting, Heterologous protein expression (E. coli, yeast, Streptomyces spp.), Protein purification, and Enzyme assays (e.g., glutathione S-transferase, hydroxylases, methyl transferases, halogenases, glycosyl transferase).
2. Microbiology & Research Skills
- Proven ability in the isolation, identification, and characterization of microbes (bacteria and fungi).
- Experience in designing bioassays for insect behavior or physiological response.
- Strong analytical skills for interpreting complex biological data.