蔡明翰老師 (Ming-Han Tsai)

We are recruiting highly motivated Ph.D. students and undergraduate students, who are interested in tumor virology and biotechnology. Our researches are funded by the MOST Young Scholar Fellowship until 2023 year and your researches will be fully supported. Due to the space limit, we may only accept limited number of students. If you are interested in our lab, please don’t hesitate to contact us (Email: m.tsai@ym.edu.tw).

“竭誠邀請優秀博碩士班學生及大學部學生(醫學、醫技、資訊或生科領域為佳)進入本實驗室進行致癌病毒學及生物技術方面相關研究計畫”，本實驗室研究計畫榮獲科技部年輕學者養成計畫(哥倫布計畫)至2023年；您在本實驗室的研究將保證獲得充分支持及發揮。實驗室因空間限制能容納之人不多，機會難得，有興趣者請直接與 蔡明翰老師聯絡。

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

2018-current: Assistant Professor, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology,

National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan

2015-2017: Scientist, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany

2010-2015: Ph.D., Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg; Helmholtz International

Graduate School for Cancer Research, Germany

2007-2010: Project Assistant, National Health Research Institute, Taiwan

2000-2006: B.S., M.S., Department of Life Science, National Tsing-Hua University, Taiwan

 

RESEARCH: Tumor viruses and viral biotechnology

We are interested in understanding how tumor viruses, especially Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), causes human carcinomas. Beside nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) that is absolutely associated with EBV infection, 10% of human gastric carcinoma are also found EBV-infected. In comparison to NPC that is mostly restricted in certain geographical areas, the EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) can be identified throughout the world that may contribute to 100-thousand tumor cases annually. However, the roles of EBV in gastric cancers remain obscure. Our lab has the most state-of-art techniques to manipulate and investigate EBV. We will investigate the fundamental virology of EBV in gastric cells and the roles of EBV transcripts in EBVaGC. We are also investigating the mechanisms viruses in human malignancies that are associating to viral infection. For example: breast cancer, colorectal carcinoma, Cholangiocarcinoma, and autoimmune diseases (Lupus and Multiple Scleroses).

Meanwhile, we are also manipulating the tumor viruses for several applications. We have the unique technique that allows us to modify the giant DNA virus and transform these “terrible viruses” become the useful tools for human. You are welcome to join us and use the viruses to change the world.

我們對於癌症病毒，特別是EBV如何導致人類上皮細胞癌深感興趣。除了鼻咽癌，一種和EBV絕對相關的癌症，目前也發現EBV佔胃癌總體比例也居10%，此類癌症(EBVaGC)每年約造成全球10萬人罹癌，然而此些類癌症之致病機制仍不清楚。我們實驗室具備全世界對此病毒研究之最先進技術，當前我們將主力放在此病毒對胃癌造成之機制。我們也同時研究一些新發現由此病毒導致之癌症種類及疾病，諸如: 乳癌、大腸癌、膽管癌；及自體免疫疾病，諸如多發性硬化症等等。

同時，我們也嘗試改造這些致癌病毒使之為我們所用。我們有專門技術可以去改造大體積之DNA病毒並且成功將之送到宿主細胞內。期待我們能將這些”壞壞”的病毒轉化變成人類有用的工具。竭誠歡迎您加入我們並用研究病毒來改變這個世界!

 

HONORS:

1. MOST Young Scholar Fellowship, Taiwan (科技部年輕學者養成計畫，哥倫布計畫), May.2018-April.2023.
2. Best poster presentation in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma conference, Gordon Research Conference in Hong Kong, July 2016
3. Best Ph.D. grade (Summa Cum Laude) in Medical faculty at University of Heidelberg, May 2015 in graduation ceremony.
4. Reader Favorite Award, “Dance Your PhD 2013”, Understanding the role of MYCN in Neuroblastoma using a systems Biology Approach, Science magazine/AAAS, Nov. 2013 http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2013/11/dance-your-phd-finalists-announced (可以看到明翰老師青澀的樣子，不要笑)
5. Honorary member, The Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor Society in Biotechnology at National Tsing-Hua University, June 2006.

 

PUBLICATIONS:

1. Li, Zhe.*, Tsai, M.H.* (*co-first author, listed by last name alphabetically), Shumilov, A., Baccianti, F., Tsao, S.W., Poirey, R., Delecluse, H.J., 2019. A non-coding RNA from a carcinogenic virus induces an inflammatory response to promote virus production in infected cells. Nature Microbiology. doi: 10.1038/s41564-019-0546-y
2. Delecluse, S., Tsai, M.H., Shumilov, A., Bencun, M., Arrow, S., Beshirova, A., Cottignies-Calamarte, A., Lasitschka, F., Bulut, OC., Münz, C., Zeier, M., Behrends, U., Delecluse, H.J.. 2019. Epstein-Barr virus induces expression of the LPAM-1 integrin in B cells in vitro and in vivo. J. Virol. 19;93(5). pii: e01618-18.
3. van Zyl, D.G., Tsai, M.H., Shumilov, A., Schneidt, V., Poirey, R., Schlehe, B., Fluhr, H., Mautner, J., Delecluse, H.J.. 2018. Immunogenic particles with a broad antigenic spectrum stimulate cytolytic T cells and offer increased protection against EBV infection ex vivo and in mice. PLoS Pathog 14(12):e1007464
4. Bencun, M., Klinke, O., Hotz-Wagenblatt, A., Klaus, S., Tsai, M.H., Poirey, R., Delecluse, H.J. 2018. Translational profiling of B cells infected with the Epstein-Barr virus reveals 5’ leader ribosome recruitment through upstream opening reading frames. Nucleic Acids Res. 6;46(6):2802-2819.
5. Gupta, S., Ylä-Anttila, P., Callegari, S., Tsai, M.H., Delecluse, H.J., Masucci, M.G. 2018. Herpesvirus deconjugases inhibit the IFN response by promoting TRIM25 autoubiquitination and functional inactivation of the RIG-I signalosome. PLoS Pathog 14(1):e1006852.
6. Bilger, A., Plowshay, J., Ma, S.D., Nawandar, D., Barlow, E.A., Romero-Masters, J.C., Bristol, J.A., Li, Z.,  Tsai, M.H., Delecluse, H.J., Kenny, S.C. 2017. Leflunomide/teriflunomide inhibit EBV-induced lymphoproliferative disease and lytic replication. Oncotarget. 8: 44266-33280.
7. Wu, R.H., Tsai, M.H., Tsai, K.N., Tian, J.N., Wu, J.S., Wu, S.Y., Chern, J.H., Chen, C.H., and Yueh, A. 2017. Mutagenesis of Dengue Virus Protein NS2A Revealed a Novel Domain Responsible for Virus-Induced Cytopathic Effect and Interactions Between NS2A and NS2B Transmembrane Segments. J Virol. doi: 10.1128/jvi.01836-16
8. Shumilov, A.*, Tsai, M.H.* (*co-first author, listed by last name alphabetically), Schlosser, Y., Kratz, A.S., Bernhardt, K., Fink, S., Mizani, T., Lin, X., Jauch, A., Mautner, J., et al. 2017. Epstein-Barr virus particles induce centrosome amplification and chromosomal instability. Nature Communications. doi:10.1038/ncomms14257.
9. Ma, S.D.*, Tsai, M.H.* (*co-first author, listed by last name alphabetically), Romero-Masters, J., Ranheim, E.A., Bristol, J.A., Delecluse, H.J., and Kenney, S.C. 2017. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can induce B cell lymphomas in a cord blood-humanized mouse model in the absence of LMP2A and LMP1 expression. J Virol. doi: 10.1128/jvi.01928-16.
10. Fink, S., Tsai, M.H., Schnitzler, P., Zeier, M., Dreger, P., Wuchter, P., Bulut, O.C., Behrends, U., and Delecluse, H.J. 2017. The Epstein-Barr virus DNA load in the peripheral blood of transplant recipients does not accurately reflect the burden of infected cells. Transpl Int 30:57-67.
11. Tsai, M.H., Lin, X., Shumilov, A., Bernhardt, K., Feederle, R., Poirey, R., Kopp-Schneider, A., Pereira, B., Almeida, R., and Delecluse, H.J. 2016. The biological properties of different Epstein-Barr virus strains explain their association with various types of cancers. Oncotarget. 10.18632/oncotarget.14380
12. Bernhardt, K., Haar, J., Tsai, M.H., Poirey, R., Feederle, R., and Delecluse, H.J. 2016. A Viral microRNA Cluster Regulates the Expression of PTEN, p27 and of a bcl-2 Homolog. PLoS Pathog 12:e1005405.
13. Wu, R.H., Tsai, M.H., Chao, D.Y., and Yueh, A. 2015. Scanning mutagenesis studies reveal a potential intramolecular interaction within the C-terminal half of dengue virus NS2A involved in viral RNA replication and virus assembly and secretion. J Virol 89:4281-4295.
14. Lin, XC*, Tsai, M.H.* (*co-first author, listed by last name alphabetically), Shumilov, A., Poirey, R., Bannert, H., Middeldorp, J.M., Feederle, R., and Delecluse, H.J. 2015. The Epstein-Barr Virus BART miRNA Cluster of the M81 Strain Modulates Multiple Functions in Primary B Cells. PLoS Pathog 11:e1005344.
15. Hou, M.S., Huang, S.T., Tsai, M.H., Yen, C.C., Lai, Y.G., Liou, Y.H., Lin, C.K., and Liao, N.S. 2015. The interleukin-15 system suppresses T cell-mediated autoimmunity by regulating negative selection and nT(H)17 cell homeostasis in the thymus. J Autoimmun 56:118-129.
16. Feederle, R., Klinke, O., Kutikhin, A., Poirey, R., Tsai, M.H., and Delecluse, H.J. 2015. Epstein-Barr Virus: From the Detection of Sequence Polymorphisms to the Recognition of Viral Types. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 390:119-148.
17. Pu, S.Y., Wu, R.H., Tsai, M.H., Yang, C.C., Chang, C.M., and Yueh, A. 2014. A novel approach to propagate flavivirus infectious cDNA clones in bacteria by introducing tandem repeat sequences upstream of virus genome. J Gen Virol 95:1493-1503.
18. Antsiferova, O., Muller, A., Ramer, P.C., Chijioke, O., Chatterjee, B., Raykova, A., Planas, R., Sospedra, M., Shumilov, A., Tsai, M.H., et al. 2014. Adoptive transfer of EBV specific CD8+ T cell clones can transiently control EBV infection in humanized mice. PLoS Pathog 10:e1004333.
19. Yang, C.C., Tsai, M.H., Hu, H.S., Pu, S.Y., Wu, R.H., Wu, S.H., Lin, H.M., Song, J.S., Chao, Y.S., and Yueh, A. 2013. Characterization of an efficient dengue virus replicon for development of assays of discovery of small molecules against dengue virus. Antiviral Res 98:228-241.
20. Tsai, M.H., Raykova, A., Klinke, O., Bernhardt, K., Gartner, K., Leung, C.S., Geletneky, K., Sertel, S., Munz, C., Feederle, R., et al. 2013. Spontaneous lytic replication and epitheliotropism define an Epstein-Barr virus strain found in carcinomas. Cell Rep 5:458-470. (Spotlight article in the review Frappier, L. 2013. A cancer-associated Epstein-Barr virus variant with epithelial tropism. Trends Microbiol 21:616-617)
21. Pu, S.Y., Wu, R.H., Yang, C.C., Jao, T.M., Tsai, M.H., Wang, J.C., Lin, H.M., Chao, Y.S., and Yueh, A. 2011. Successful propagation of flavivirus infectious cDNAs by a novel method to reduce the cryptic bacterial promoter activity of virus genomes. J Virol 85:2927-2941.
22. Lai, Y.G., Hou, M.S., Hsu, Y.W., Chang, C.L., Liou, Y.H., Tsai, M.H., Lee, F., and Liao, N.S. 2008. IL-15 does not affect IEL development in the thymus but regulates homeostasis of putative precursors and mature CD8 alpha alpha+ IELs in the intestine. J Immunol 180:3757-3765.

 

PATENT:

1. Henri-Jacques Delecluse, Anatoliy Shumilov, Ming-Han Tsai.

IMPOROVED EBV VACCINE.

https://patents.justia.com/patent/20190282691

 

PRESENTATIONS

1. The Epstein-Barr virus induces the expression of LPAM-1 in B-cells to access the gastrointestinal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. 18^th International Symposium on EBV and associated diseases, Madison, Wisconsin, July 28-Aug 1, 2018.
2. The M81 Epstein-Barr Virus associated RNA 2 Enhances CXCL8 production and Spontaneous vius lytic replication in primary B lymphocytes. (Oral Presentation) Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Gordon Research Conference, Hong Kong, June 24-29, 2018.
3. The Epstein-Barr virus BART miRNA cluster of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma-associated M81 strain modulates lytic replication and cell growth in primary B cells. (Oral Presentation) 17^th International Symposium on EBV and associated diseases, Zürich, Switzerland, Aug 8-12, 2016.
4. The Epstein-Barr virus BART miRNA cluster of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma-associated M81 strain modulates lytic replication and cell growth in primary B cells. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Gordon Research Conference, Hong Kong, June 26-July 1, 2016.
5. Spontaneous lytic replication and epitheliotropism define an Epstein-Barr virus strain found in carcinomas. EMBO meeting, Amsterdam, Sep 21-24 , 2013.