Patterning is an interdisciplinary field

Pattern formation is a fascinating process critical in the development of multicellular organisms. Although the underlying molecular pathways for pattern formation may be completely different between distinct phylogenetic clades, they often follow similar mathematical principles. Since mathematical principles often transcend taxonomic boundaries, why can't patterning also occur in 'unicellular' microbes? We use interdisciplinary approaches, including live cell microscopy and mathematical modeling to studies the principles of pattern formation that play key roles in microbial developmental processes.

Cell polarity

How does the same polarity machinery result in diverse growth modes? The answer lies within the intra-cellular pattern formation process of polarity proteins. We explore how the recently developed Turing theoretical framework could explain cell polarity modes in not only the budding yeast but also the diversity of growth modes among Ascomycete fungi.

Biofilm development

Forty years after the clock-and-wavefront model was proposed, researchers studying vertebrate somitogenesis has learned that the coupling mechanism of cell-autonomous oscillators is critical to generate a collective pattern. Biofilms are multicellular communities of bacteria that develop segments using analogous mechanisms. How is collective patterning achieved in developing bacterial bioflims?

Life in Jian-geng Chiou lab

Our lab is in the main campus of Academia Sinica, located in Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan. We enjoy the serenity created by the surrounding mountains as well as being 20-30 minutes away from the heart of Taipei City by public transportation. Apart from the thrill of science itself, we emphasize a good balance between work and life. Afterall, science on its own can be hard enough. Life should be made easier :D

The Chiou lab is recruiting!

We believe that disciplines are artificial constructs that are no longer meaningful. If something is useful on the trajectory of evolution, life will pick it up. Life doesn't know nor care whether that thing is a pathway taught in Cell Biology or a mathematical concept taught in Linear Algebra. We, who try to understand the path of life, must also break the boundaries of disciplines and learn the languages of the people who are trained differently and therefore think differently.

We are looking for teammates who think differently. Whether you were trained as a Cell Biologist, a Developmental Biologist, a Microbiologist, a Physicist, or a Mathematical modeler, join us.

As long as you are interested in microbial patterning, you'll learn fast.