One postdoc position is available starting from 10-01-2024 in the Laboratory of Dr. Alan Yueh-Luen Lee, National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Taiwan.
Our Lab is interested in on understanding relationship between the mitochondrial stress phenotypes of cancer and tumor microenvironment. Mitochondria play important roles in cell fate, calcium signaling, mitophagy, and the signaling through reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recently, mitochondria are considered as a signaling organelle in the cell and communicate with other organelles to constitute the mitochondrial information processing system (MIPS) that transduce input-to-output biological information. The success in immunotherapy, a concept of systemic therapy, has been proved to be dependent on paracrine interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and distant organs including microbiota and immune components. We will adopt a broader view from the concept of TME to of tumor micro- and macroenvironment (TM2E) or tumor-organ ecosystem (TOE). In our projects, we will discuss the role of mitochondrial signaling by mitochondrial ROS, calcium flux, metabolites, mtDNA, vesicle transportation, and mitochondria-derived peptide in the TME and TOE, in particular immune regulation and effective cancer immunotherapy. By the mechanisms, we will develop new anti-cancer therapeutics that are able to improve tumor microenvironment for applying to and combining with immunotherapy.
The two projects that will be involved are listed as following:
1. The mechanism and clinical application of mitochondrial ROS-regulated cancer cell survival through metabolic reprogramming by Lon-PYCR1 and lipid metabolism
2. mtDNA, metabolism, and metabolon in the tumor microenvironment.

Applicants should possess a recently obtained Ph.D. degree for no more than 3~4 years and should have at least one first-authored publication in an international peer-reviewed journal in the past three years. A strong background in cancer biology and a good background in cell biology, biochemistry and experience in animal handling are vital. The one’s background in immunology will be priority to us. Please send a letter stating your research interests, a CV with a recent photo and a publication list, and contact details for two references to

Alan Yueh-Luen Lee, Ph.D.
National Institute of Cancer Research
National Health Research Institutes
35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli 35053, TAIWAN
E-Mail: alanylee@nhri.edu.tw

Web site: http://www.nhri.org.tw/NHRI_WEB/nhriw1001Action.do?status=Res
https://www.facebook.com/Dr.alanylee/