Cover Stories
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BMAL2 is a druggable target for ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC)
Ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCC), particularly cases retaining wild-type ARID1A expression, are chemo-resistant and lack specific therapies. We identified circadian gene BMAL2 as a critical oncogene that promotes OCCC tumorigenesis by preventing endogenous DNA damage.
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Academia Sinica–NHRI 20-Year Follow-up Study Reveals Sevenfold Increase in Breast Cancer Risk from Combined Phthalate Exposure, Metabolic Susceptibility, and Early Menarche Age
Breast cancer has long been the most common cancer among women in Taiwan and in many developed countries, with a recent trend toward younger onset. A research team led by Academician Chien-Jen Chen, Distinguished Research Fellow at the Genomics Research Center of Academia Sinica, in collaboration with the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) and several universities in Taiwan, has completed a large-scale, 20-year study on breast cancer risk assessment. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in March 2026.
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Researchers at GRC find a way to produce active legume lectins, and alter their ability to bind different sugars
Legume lectins are proteins produced by plants in the bean family that binds to sugars, and are often used by the plant for self-defense or signaling. Some legume lectins, like ricin, are incredibly poisonous while others, like ConA, have an array of biomedical properties that make them powerful tools in glycobiology and medicine.
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Academia Sinica and NTU Hospital Jointly Develop PanMETAI: A Revolutionary AI Metabolomics Platform
After twenty years of dedicated research, a cross-disciplinary team from Academia Sinica and National Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital has announced a major breakthrough in oncology.
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Genomics Research Center faculty participated in the Academia Sinica-UK bilateral research exchange events
Drs. Chih-Hao Lee, Wei Chen, Chih-Hao Wang and Sung-Jan Lin (joint appointment) were among the 10 members of the Academia Sinica delegation to visit the King’s College School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences (SCMMS) in London, UK on 10/13/2025.
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Unveil New Clinical Applications of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Quantification
Breakthrough from Academia Sinica & NTUH: Studies in Gut & Hepatology show HBsAg levels reshape HBV cure criteria & risk stratification.
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Scientists Crack the Code of a Cancer-Related Enzyme, Opening Doors to New Treatments
Cancer remains a global health challenge, with approximately 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths reported in 2022 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Two exciting new studies published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society are shedding light on an enzyme called beta-1,3-galactosyltransferase 5 (β3GalT5), which plays a critical role in producing sugar molecules tied to cancer progression.
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Genomics Research Center 20th Anniversary Celebration
To commemorate this milestone, GRC held its 20th Anniversary Celebration on December 11, 2024. We sincerely thank former and current GRC members, collaborators, and esteemed guests for joining us in celebrating the growth and achievements of the GRC.
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The Next Chapter of Precision Chemical Modification: From Natural Product Inspirations to Efficient Drugs for Rare Disease
"Natural is Still the Best!" Scientists have isolated numerous small molecules with potential biological activity from natural sources. However, these molecules often require chemical modifications and structural refinements to unleash their full potential.