Achievement Presentation of Professor Yang Yuh-Shyong, College of Engineering Bioscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
On August 7, 2024, Professor Yang Yuh-Shyong’s laboratory at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) hosted its 2024 Achievement Presentation, attracting a diverse audience that included 18 industry professionals, 7 researchers, 21 university professors and researchers, and 33 students. The event took place on the third floor of the Bio ICT Building at NYCU’s Boai Campus in Hsinchu, where attendees gathered to review the research outcomes from a National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) project. This presentation showcased the achievements of the past two years, particularly focusing on “Silicon-based Biochips and Platforms for Bacterial DNA and Cell Detection.” The discussion also outlined the strategic direction for the next two years, highlighting participation in the “Taiwan Chip-based Industrial Innovation Program (Taiwan CbI)” and the “Academia-Industry Collaborative Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project.” The research team unveiled their vision: “To connect the semiconductor industry, biomedical sensing needs, and research institutions, with the goal of positioning Taiwan as a global hub for the development of Bio-FET (biological sensing silicon chips).” The event fostered a lively exchange of ideas between academics and industry professionals, culminating in a productive afternoon of interdisciplinary dialogue.
Professor Yang Yuh-Shyong highlighted that, as of August, the college has officially been renamed the “College of Engineering Bioscience.” Located in the Bio ICT Building at NYCU’s Boai Campus in Hsinchu—widely recognized as the birthplace of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry—the facility is also adjacent to the soon-to-be-completed Chu-Ming Hospital. The silicon-based biochips developed under this program serve as a prime example of interdisciplinary collaboration in the realms of engineering and biology, bridging the gap between semiconductor technology (ICT) and biomedical testing (Bio). These biochips are developed using mature semiconductor processes (0.35 to 0.5 μm) and are designed as Extended Gate Field-Effect Transistors (EG-FETs), enabling the detection of biological molecules such as nucleic acids and antigen-antibody proteins at the molecular level. Unlike other biochips focused on physiological signals or microfluidics, the application of silicon-based biochips is distinct and often more specialized. Through molecular-level research, modern medicine has made significant strides in diagnostics and
therapeutics, further underlining the potential of molecular detection technologies. Supported by NSTC funding, this project successfully developed a silicon-based biochip platform capable of detecting bacterial DNA and cells. The research presented at this event included achievements in multi-length bacterial DNA detection, EG-FET design parameter optimization, circulating tumor cell/miRNA detection, immune cell detection (CART-T), DNA probe design algorithms, and the development of a prototype reading device (MCU Reader). Looking ahead, the focus will shift from single-component detection to multiplex detection, participating in NSTC’s Taiwan CbI programs for multi-disease detection platforms, multi-sensing biochips for disease control in the swine industry, and pathogen detection in bioproduct manufacturing. The foundational technologies, ranging from IC chip design and biological probe modification to signal processing and target-probe pairing, will continue to evolve towards multiplex biosensing. Collaborative efforts with hospitals, research institutions, and agricultural sectors are expected to yield rapid detection methods for conditions such as sepsis, myocardial infarction, swine diseases, and microbiome analysis, demonstrating the platform’s broad applicability.
Professor Yang emphasized that, the government’s “Taiwan CbI” initiative is designed to leverage IC chip technology in fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations that create added value in various industrial fields, thereby paving the way for startups and the development of new products. In alignment with NSTC’s strategic vision, the team is actively developing platform technologies, recruiting experienced industry researchers, and preparing for the launch of a startup company to bridge the gap between industry practices and innovative technologies. The envisioned startup aims “To connect the semiconductor industry, biomedical sensing needs, and research institutions, and to position Taiwan as a global hub for the development of Bio-FET (biological sensing silicon-based biochips).” This initiative seeks to create a new value chain by linking the IC/semiconductor industry with the biomedical sector, exploring new application areas for silicon-based biochips, and establishing new industrial value chains. The technology roadmap for Bio-FET includes design, manufacturing, and sales stages. During the design phase, the focus will be on expanding overall sensing solutions, beginning with Bio-FET biochips and surface modifications, and integrating probe algorithms to demonstrate applications in biomedical and agricultural fields. In the manufacturing phase, production will leverage the IC and biotechnology industries’ supply chains, combining IC technology with biomedical sensing cartridge production. The sales strategy will involve technology licensing and physical sales, with plans to expand from the local to the global market. The team invites interested talents, professionals, resources, and investors to engage in discussions for potential technology transfer, industry-academia collaboration, or startup company preparation.