Hsin-Chih Lai , Ph.D.
Intitution: Chang Gung University
Position: Professor and Director
Department: Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Sciences
Mail Address: 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan Tao-Yuan, Taiwan,333, R.O.C.
Tel: +886-3-211-8800 ext.3585
E-mail: hclai@mail.cgu.edu.tw
Focus of Interest:- Microbiota
- Infection
- Herbs
- Immunity modulation
- Chronic inflammation
- Diseases
Research Summary
Gut microbiota plays an essential role in modulation of host immunity and homeostasis. Dysbiosis results in chronic inflammation and many important diseases such as insulin resistance, diabetes, fatty liver, NASH, colitis and lung immunity dysregulation. Our main research interests focus on interaction between microbiota, pathogens, herbs and host immunity. Besides characterizing the underlying mechanism of chronic inflammation related diseases, we also hope to identify important probiotics and efficient prebiotics for amelioration of the diseases through modulation of host immunity.
Employment Records:
1994-2006 Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
2006–2007 Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
Education:
1982-1986 B.S, Department of Medical Technology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
1986 - 1988 M.S, Institute of Microbiology & Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan
1990 - 1994 PhD, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, UK
Selected Publications:
1. Lin CS, Su CC, Hsieh SC, Lu CC, Wu TL, Jia JH, Wu TS, Han CC, Tsai WC, Lu JJ, Lai HC*. Rapid identification of Mycobacterium avium clinical isolates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2013 Oct 7. doi:pii: S1684-1182(13)0153-9.
2. Chang CJ, Chen YY, Lu CC, Lin CS, Martel J, Tsai SH, Ko YF, Huang TT, Ojcius DM, Young JD, Lai HC*. Ganoderma lucidum stimulates NK cell cytotoxicity by inducing NKG2D/NCR activation and secretion of perforin and granulysin. Innate Immun. 2013 Jun 26. [Epub ahead of print]
3. Huang TT, Chong KY, Ojcius DM, Wu YH, Ko YF, Wu CY, Martel J, Lu CC, Lai HC*, Young JD. Hirsutella sinensis mycelium suppresses interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 secretion by inhibiting both canonical and non-canonical inflammasomes. Sci Rep. 2013;3:1374. doi: 10.1038/srep01374.
4. Wu TS, Chiu CH, Yang CH, Leu HS, Huang CT, Chen YC, Wu TL, Chang PY, Su LH, Kuo AJ, Chia JH, Lu CC, Lai HC*. Fish tank granuloma caused by Mycobacterium marinum. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e41296. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041296. Epub 2012 Jul 20.
5. Lai HC, Chang CJ, Yang CH, Hsu YJ, Chen CC, Lin CS, Tsai YH, Huang TT, Ojcius DM, Tsai YH, Lu CC*. Activation of NK cell cytotoxicity by the natural compound 2,3-butanediol. J Leukoc Biol. 2012 Oct;92(4):807-14. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0112024. Epub 2012 Jul 16.
Honor and Awards:
- 1990-1993 Oversea Research Scholarship (ORS) from the University of Cambridge
- 1999 Visiting Professor to University Cambridge, UK
- 2001-2005 Visiting Professor to University Nottingham, UK
- 2002-2005 Special lecturer, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK
- 2006 Ching-Sing Medical Researcher Award from the National Taiwan University
- 2007- Now Editorial Board/Executive editor, Journal of Microbiological Methods; Journal of Microbiology, Infection and Immunology; Journal of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences.
Source: Mouse strains: none
Cell lines: macrophage and NK cells
Special technology: none