Brain Research Center at National Tsing Hua University

Research

The members of the Gene and Disease group aim to utilize comprehensive connectome data obtained in the BRC to delineate the functional map of the brain that involves memory and brain disorder.  Combined with the leading technology developed in Taiwan, the group focuses on the underlying mechanisms of brain function, covering topics regarding gene activation, molecular regulation, protein production, electrophysiological properties, and neural connection. The group has developed a variety of genetic and automatic methods to regulate the neuronal activity and successfully applied to explore the learning and memory paradigms in Drosophila. Our continued effort towards understanding the genetic and connectomic impacts on brain disorder will help researchers and clinicians quickly screen natural and synthetic molecules to improve brain function.
Currently, BRC has pilot projects in cooperation with domestic and international organizations to develop new drugs aimed to enhance the long-term memory of the elderly and patients with brain dysfunction.

Our team includes cross-disciplinary divisions to explore different aspects of learning and memory plus brain function. Core subject includes genetic behaviors (Tsung-Han Kuo, Ann-Shyn Chiang, Josh Dubnau, Chih-Ying Su), cognitive behaviors and disease-related analysis (Ann-Shyn Chiang, Tzu-Kang Sang), automated behavior analysis (Hung-Yin Tsai, Chien-Chung Fu), molecular labeling technology (Tzu-Kang Sang, Ann-Shyn Chiang), disease model establishment and clinical trial cooperation (Ann-Shyn Chiang, Shur-Fen Gau, Chin-Hsien Lin, Ming-Kai Pan, Chia-Wen Chen, Yeon-Ray Wen, Tzu-Kang Sang). The Yushan scholar Tim Tully, the former R & D director of Dart NeuroScience, is in charge of the industrial application and is now working to develop memory-enhancing drugs to treat brain diseases.

Goal

結合本土及國際神經疾病致病因子之醫療大數據分析,探討致病基因如何調控神經系統之生理功能及導致病變之機制。

Specific Aims
  • 以果蠅行為模式探討注意力缺陷及/多動障礙 (ADHD)之致病機理。
  • 以果蠅行為模式探討疼痛之分子機制及藥物分析。
  • 以果蠅行為模式配合全基因組關聯分析探討失智症及類帕金森氏症遺傳因子之致病機理。
Research in Drosophila Brain Gene and Disease