Protein Misfolding and Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Research Highlights in Press
實驗室主持人
Yun-Ru (Ruby) Chen 陳韻如
教育背景:
國立台灣大學農業化學系學士 (1992-1996)
美國北卡羅萊納州州立大學生物化學系博士 (1998-2003)
美國加州大學爾灣分校博士後研究 (2004-2006)
現任職務:
中央研究院基因體研究中心 研究員及基因體中心副主任
Protein Folding/Misfolding, Amyloids, and Neurodegenerative Diseases
My research focuses on understanding the mechanism of protein misfolding diseases, amyloidosis, by various techniques including biochemical, biophysical, molecular, and cellular methods. Our long-term goal is to elucidate the disease mechanisms of amyloidosis in the aspects of protein folding and structure, pathogenic protein interactions, and relate the results to the medical consequences. We further utilize the knowledge to develop novel diagnostic means and therapeutic modalities. Many ageing-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) belong to amyloidosis. Among them, AD is the most serious problem in the 21st century. Amyloidosis is caused by aggregation of misfolded proteins to form amyloid fibrils comprising specific cross-β structures. Amyloid oligomers that exist in several neurodegenerative diseases imply a common toxicity mechanism in different neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, we are working on three amyloid and amyloid-like proteins and their interacting partners in neurodegenerative diseases. They are amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and tau protein, the major substance in senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of AD patients respectively, α-synuclein, the component of Lewy bodies in PD, and TDP-43, a novel inclusion found in a subtype of frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD-U), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and AD. We start from elucidating the mechanism of such aggregation and further developing the diagnostic method, antibodies, and small molecule inhibitors. Moreover, we study the structure, function, and interactions of the related glycan conjugates, precursor proteins, and modifiers. The major research interests are listed as follows:
Protein folding and misfolding of amyloids in neurodegenerative diseases.
Amyloid protein oligomerization and the toxicity mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.
Interactions of proteins, glycans, and lipids with the proteins involved in pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative diseases.
Drug screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic developments in neurodegenerative diseases.
Education:
1998-2003 (Ph.D.): Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, USA (under Prof. A. Clay Clark’s Laboratory)
1992-1996 (B.S.): Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
Professional Experience:
2022-2025: President-elect, Asia Pacific Protein Association (APPA)
2022-present: Adjunct Professor/ Adjunct Research Fellow, Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
2021-present: Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Biochemical Science & Technology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan,
2021-present: Professor , Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
2015-present: Adjunct Associate Professor, Dept. of Biochemical Science & Technology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
2015-2019: The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Young Affiliate
2014-2021: Associate Professor, Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
2014-2017: Council Member of Asia Pacific Protein Association (APPA)
2007-2014: Assistant Professor, Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
2006-2007: Postdoctoral Fellow, Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan (Prof. Chi-Huey Wong Laboratory)
2004-2006: Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, USA (Prof. Charles C. Glabe Laboratory)
Honors:
Chung Hwa Rotary Education Foundation Outstanding Award, 2022-2023
2023 中華扶輪教育基金會2022-23年度「傑出/特殊人才」獎The 19th National Innovation Award. “A novel conformation-dependent monoclonal antibody against ALS and related neurodegenerative diseases”, 2022 2022 第19屆國家新創獎,「對抗漸凍人及相關神經退化疾病的結構專一型單株抗體」。
The 19th Y. Z. Hsu Scientific Paper Award, Far Eastern Y. Z. Hsu Science and Technology Memorial Foundation, 2021
2021第十九屆有庠科技論文獎2019 National China Youth Corps Youth Medal, Taiwan.
108年度救國團青年獎章2018 Selected work for Future Tech Exhibition “A novel potential therapeutic antibody to combat ALS and related neurodegenerative diseases”.
技術團隊入選2018科技部未來科技展,作品”治療漸凍人及相關神經退化疾病的新穎抗體”The 14th Young Investigator Award, TienTe Lee Biomedical Foundation, 2018
2018年第14屆永信李天德青年醫藥科技獎2016 Young Chemists Award of the Chemical Society, Taipei, 2016
2016年中國化學會傑出青年化學家獎章2015 Ta-You Wu Memorial Award, 2015
104年度科技部吳大猷先生紀念獎TWAS Young Affiliate, 2015-2019, East & Southeast Asia and Pacific Region (International Award)
2015第三世界科學院年輕學者成員The 13th Y. Z. Hsu Scientific Paper Award, Far Eastern Y. Z. Hsu Science and Technology Memorial Foundation, 2015
第十三屆有庠科技論文獎Academia Sinica Research Award for Junior Research Investigators, 2015
104年度中研院年輕學者著作學獎Junior Faculty Award, the 12th International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease, 2015 (International Award)
Promising Women in Science Award, Wu Chieh Shiung Education Foundation, 2014
財團法人吳健雄學術基金會103年度台灣女科學家新秀獎Young Investigator Award, Biophysical Society of R.O.C., 2013
中華民國生物物理學會102年度傑出年輕學者獎