Welcome to Tseng lab
實驗室研究方向 #1：幹細胞與老化
幹細胞在組織的更新和修復中扮演關鍵角色。它們位於稱為「幹細胞棲所（niche）」的特殊微環境中，這些微環境提供必要的訊號與結構支撐，以維持幹細胞自我更新與分化之間的精密平衡。隨著生物體逐漸老化，這些支持性訊號通常會逐步衰退，導致許多組織中幹細胞的數量與品質同時下降。
我們實驗室專注於研究幹細胞本身的內在因子與老化棲所提供的外在訊號之間如何交互作用，進而影響幹細胞功能隨著時間的改變。透過利用果蠅生殖腺（Drosophila gonad）的簡單解剖結構與強大的遺傳工具，我們致力於揭示控制幹細胞維持、更新與流失的基本機制。我們的研究成果將有助於更廣泛地理解生殖力、組織健康與老化過程。
Lab Interest #1: Stem Cells and Aging
Stem cells are crucial for tissue renewal and repair. They reside within specialized microenvironments, known as niches, which supply essential signals and structural support to maintain a delicate balance between stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. As organisms age, these supportive signals often deteriorate, causing a reduction in both the number and quality of stem cells across various tissues.
Our lab explores how intrinsic factors within stem cells interact with extrinsic signals from their aging niches, influencing changes in stem cell function over time. By utilizing powerful genetic tools and the relatively simple anatomical structure of the Drosophila gonad, we aim to uncover fundamental mechanisms underlying stem cell maintenance, renewal, and loss. The insights gained from our research have significant implications for understanding fertility, tissue integrity, and aging processes broadly, ultimately guiding strategies for preserving or rejuvenating stem cell function.
實驗室研究方向 #2：生殖幹細胞競爭
我們實驗室另一個重要的研究方向，是揭開生殖幹細胞（Germline Stem Cells, GSCs）之間競爭的細胞與分子機制。現今研究已明確指出體細胞幹細胞會競爭有限的棲所空間，但在生殖幹細胞間，決定競爭勝負的因子仍然所知有限。我們透過果蠅睪丸（Drosophila testis）的遺傳學工具、活體影像觀察與分子生物學技術，找出讓特定生殖幹細胞成為競爭「贏家」的關鍵調控因子。釐清這些生殖幹細胞競爭的動態變化，不僅能深化我們對組織維持與再生的理解，也有助於進一步了解人類高齡父親相關疾病（Paternal Age-effect Disorders, PAE）的病理機制。
Lab Interest#2: GSC competition
Another major research direction of our lab is dedicated to uncovering the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying competition among germline stem cells (GSCs). Although it is well-established that somatic stem cells compete for limited niche space, the factors governing competition between GSCs remain largely unknown. Utilizing advanced genetic approaches, live-cell imaging, and molecular biology techniques in the Drosophila testis, our lab aims to identify key regulators that allow certain "winner" GSCs to dominate the niche environment. Understanding the dynamics of GSC competition not only deepens our insights into tissue maintenance and regeneration but also provides valuable clues about the pathological mechanisms underlying paternal age-effect (PAE) disorders in humans.
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為什麼使用果蠅睪丸作為研究幹細胞老化與競爭的模式？
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遺傳操作便利性：
果蠅睪丸具有強大的遺傳操作工具，能精確控制並追蹤單一幹細胞的行為與變化。 -
清晰且定義完善的幹細胞棲所：
其簡單明確的棲所結構，有助於研究細胞間的互動及競爭機制。 -
快速的生命週期：
果蠅壽命短，能快速觀察老化過程中幹細胞動態變化與功能改變。 -
跨物種的演化保守性：
控制果蠅幹細胞維持的關鍵分子途徑，與許多物種（包括人類）皆高度保守。
Why use Drosophila testis as a model to study stem cell aging and competition?
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Genetic Tractability:
The Drosophila testis provides powerful genetic tools, allowing precise manipulation and tracking of individual stem cells. -
Well-Defined Niche:
Its simple and clearly characterized stem cell niche facilitates studying cell-to-cell interactions and competition. -
Rapid Lifespan:
Fruit flies have a short lifespan, making it possible to quickly observe the effects of aging and stem cell dynamics over time. -
Evolutionary Conservation:
Fundamental molecular pathways controlling stem cell maintenance in flies are conserved across many species, including humans.
We are welcome students to join our lab
透過本實驗室的研究，你將有機會學習到果蠅發育學與遺傳學、幹細胞及老化細胞學，以及基礎的生物資訊分析與分子生物學技術。實驗室熱忱歡迎對幹細胞研究懷有興趣、充滿企圖心，並希望未來以科學研究（例如教學或生物相關職業）為職涯發展的同學加入。如果有任何疑問，歡迎隨時通過電子郵件(chenyuan1102@dragon.nchu.edu.tw) 與我聯絡，謝謝!