Dr. Pei-Wen Hsiao’s laboratory is dedicated to advancing precision medicine through two complementary research programs:
1. Herbal Molecules Against Prostate Cancer Metastasis
We focus on harnessing bioactive compounds from medicinal plants to block the metastatic progression of prostate cancer. By engineering oncogenic driver signaling in a mouse model of prostate cancer bone metastasis that mimics human disease spread, our team systematically screens herbal-derived molecules with preventive and therapeutic potential. Systems biology approaches reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying their anti-metastatic efficacy, while urine metabolomic biomarkers are being developed to distinguish clinically significant from indolent prostate cancer—providing tools for both therapy and diagnosis.
2. Next-Generation Influenza Vaccines
In parallel, we have engineered human suspension cell lines with rapid site-specific gene integration, enabling “plug-and-play” and scalable production of enveloped virus-like nanoparticles (eVLPs). This platform supports the development of a trivalent intranasal influenza vaccine: each nanoparticle co-displays HA and NA antigens and encapsulates the natural STING agonist cGAMP. This innovative design achieves homologous co-delivery of antigen and adjuvant, inducing dual IgG and IgA neutralizing responses. The result is a forward-looking vaccine that provides broader protection, blocks viral transmission, and resists immune escape due to antigenic drift.