Research Excellence Award

Ting-Kang Chang
National Taiwan University, Taiwan

Ting-Kang Chang’s Research Excellence Award nomination profile reflects a strong interdisciplinary academic foundation in biotechnology, microbiology, molecular medicine, cancer genetics, and inflammatory disease research. His scholarly work at National Taiwan University focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation-driven colorectal carcinogenesis, particularly the interaction between nitric oxide signaling and DNA topoisomerase-mediated DNA damage pathways. His research portfolio highlights significant contributions to translational biomedical science, animal disease modeling, and molecular oncology through collaborative international research initiatives.[1]

Abstract

Ting-Kang Chang is a doctoral researcher whose work integrates microbiology, cancer biology, inflammatory disease research, and molecular genetics. His research primarily investigates the mechanisms by which nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) and DNA topoisomerase II contribute to DNA double-strand break formation during colitis-associated colorectal cancer initiation. Through experimental animal disease models, pharmacological interventions, and molecular biology approaches, the research has provided insights into inflammation-induced carcinogenesis and potential therapeutic intervention pathways.[2] The academic profile further demonstrates interdisciplinary training obtained from the University of Auckland and National Taiwan University, complemented by conference participation, international collaborations, and scientific publication activities.[3]

Keywords

Inflammatory bowel disease; Colitis-associated colorectal cancer; DNA damage response; Topoisomerase II; NOS2; Molecular oncology; Clinical research; Animal disease models; Microbiology; Cancer genetics.

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease and chronic intestinal inflammation are increasingly recognized as major contributors to colorectal cancer development. Contemporary biomedical research has therefore focused on understanding the molecular pathways connecting inflammatory responses and genomic instability. Ting-Kang Chang’s doctoral research contributes to this field by examining how inflammatory mediators, particularly nitric oxide and topoisomerase II enzymes, interact to induce DNA damage during the early stages of tumorigenesis.[4]

The researcher’s academic trajectory spans biotechnology, biomedical science, microbiology, and molecular pathology. His educational development includes undergraduate and postgraduate training at the University of Auckland, followed by doctoral research at National Taiwan University. These experiences have supported the development of interdisciplinary expertise across molecular biology, microbiology, animal disease modelling, and translational cancer research.[5]

Research Profile

The academic profile of Ting-Kang Chang demonstrates continuous engagement in laboratory-based biomedical research across multiple institutions and research environments. His undergraduate biotechnology project investigated the pathogenicity of Venturia inaequalis effectors using RNA interference methodologies under the supervision of Dr. Matt Templeton at Plant & Food Research, New Zealand.[6]

Subsequently, his master’s research at the University of Auckland focused on the cloning, expression, and functional characterization of Streptococcus pyogenes M1 pilins using Lactococcus lactis expression systems. This work contributed to the understanding of bacterial virulence mechanisms and microbial protein expression strategies.[7]

At National Taiwan University, the doctoral research project investigated the cooperative interaction between TOP2 and NOS2 in promoting DNA breaks associated with colitis cancer initiation. The work integrated molecular pathology, pharmacological inhibition studies, immunohistochemistry, and genetically modified animal models to analyze the relationship between inflammatory mediators and tumor formation.[8]

• Research specialization in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer biology.
• Experience in molecular microbiology and bacterial pathogenicity studies.
• Training in animal disease modelling and translational biomedical research.
• International research collaborations with French and Taiwanese research institutions.
• Experience with molecular biology, DNA damage analysis, and gene manipulation techniques.

Research Contributions

The principal contribution of Ting-Kang Chang’s doctoral work lies in identifying mechanistic links between nitric oxide signaling and topoisomerase II-mediated DNA damage during inflammation-associated colorectal cancer initiation. The findings demonstrated that nitric oxide may function as a TOP2 poison capable of inducing DNA double-strand breaks, particularly through TOP2β activity.[9]

Experimental evidence from mouse colitis and colorectal cancer models indicated that inhibition of NOS2 or TOP2 activity reduced DNA break accumulation and disease severity. Pharmacological interventions using ICRF-193 and PTIO further supported the potential therapeutic relevance of targeting inflammatory DNA damage pathways in colorectal carcinogenesis.[10]

The research additionally highlighted the differential roles of TOP2 isoforms during tumor progression and demonstrated the spatial localization of DNA damage in distal colon tissues, reflecting clinically relevant human colorectal cancer distributions.[11]

• Identification of cooperative interactions between NOS2 and TOP2 in DNA break formation.
• Use of pharmacological and genetic models to evaluate inflammation-associated carcinogenesis.
• Application of translational disease models toward potential preclinical therapeutic strategies.
• Contribution to understanding inflammation-induced genomic instability mechanisms.

Publications

The researcher has contributed to publications spanning molecular oncology, electrical engineering applications, and biomedical sciences. These works demonstrate interdisciplinary engagement and collaborative scholarly participation.[12]

1. Chang TK, Li SL, Brunac AC, Huang JJ, Yeh YH, Brousset P, Egly JM, Li TK. TOP2 and NOS2 Orchestrate the Generation of DNA Breaks to Promote Colitis Cancer Initiation. Cancers. 2026;18(10):1519.DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18101519
   
2. Liu YJ, Chang TP, Chen HW, Chang TK, Lan PH. Power quality measurements of low-voltage distribution system with smart electric vehicle charging infrastructures. 2014 16th International Conference on Harmonics and Quality of Power. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICHQP.2014.6842879
   

1. Liao YH, Liu XL, Chen JH, Chang TK. Modeling and Testing of the Utility Interface for Photovoltaic System under Full-scale and Down-scale Inverter System. 2022 IET International Conference on Engineering Technologies and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1109/IET-ICETA56553.2022.9971540

Research Impact

The research output associated with Ting-Kang Chang’s doctoral investigations contributes to the expanding field of inflammation-associated cancer biology. The identification of interactions between nitric oxide signaling and topoisomerase II activity provides additional mechanistic understanding regarding DNA damage accumulation in chronic inflammatory conditions.[13]

The translational relevance of the work is reflected in its potential application toward preclinical therapeutic strategies targeting TOP2β-mediated DNA damage pathways. The research also contributes to broader scientific discussions concerning inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer risk progression, and DNA damage response signaling.[14]

Beyond publication activities, the researcher has participated in international conferences and collaborative academic exchanges, including the NTU-KU-UT Mini-Symposium on Cancer Biology and Medicine, NTU-Osaka Joint Conference, and Tsukuba Global Science Week.[15]

Award Suitability

The nomination for the Research Excellence Award is supported by demonstrated contributions to biomedical research, interdisciplinary scientific training, and scholarly publication activity. The candidate’s research addresses clinically relevant mechanisms associated with inflammation-driven colorectal cancer development and incorporates molecular biology, pathology, and animal disease modelling methodologies.[16]

The profile further demonstrates sustained academic engagement through international collaboration, conference participation, teaching support activities, and technical expertise in advanced laboratory methodologies. These characteristics collectively align with the objectives of research recognition programs emphasizing scientific contribution, innovation, and translational relevance.[17]

Conclusion

Ting-Kang Chang’s academic and research activities reflect interdisciplinary engagement across biotechnology, microbiology, molecular medicine, and cancer biology. His doctoral investigations into inflammation-associated colorectal carcinogenesis contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms linking chronic inflammation and genomic instability. Through scientific publication, collaborative research initiatives, and translational disease modelling approaches, the researcher demonstrates ongoing participation in clinically relevant biomedical research activities. The overall scholarly profile supports recognition within the context of the Research Excellence Award program.[18]

External Links

• Scopus Author Profile

References

1. Research Awards and Recognitions. (2026). Research Excellence Award nomination materials submitted by Ting-Kang Chang. Awards and Recognitions. https://awardsandrecognitions.com/
   
2. Chang TK, Li SL, Brunac AC, Huang JJ, Yeh YH, Brousset P, Egly JM, Li TK. (2026). TOP2 and NOS2 Orchestrate the Generation of DNA Breaks to Promote Colitis Cancer Initiation. Cancers, 18(10), 1519. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18101519
   
3. National Taiwan University. (2026). Graduate Institute of Microbiology academic profile and doctoral research activities.
4. MDPI Cancers. (2026). Inflammation-associated colorectal cancer mechanisms involving TOP2 and NOS2. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/18/10/1519
   
5. University of Auckland. (2026). Biomedical Science and Biotechnology academic records and postgraduate training information.
6. Templeton M. (2026). Testing Venturia inaequalis effectors through RNA interference methodologies. Plant & Food Research, New Zealand.
7. Proft T. (2026). Functional analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes M1 pilins using Lactococcus lactis. Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland.
8. Li TK. (2026). TOP2 and NOS2 cooperative mechanisms in DNA break generation and cancer initiation. Graduate Institute of Microbiology, National Taiwan University.
9. Chang TK et al. (2026). Nitric oxide-mediated TOP2 poisoning and DNA double-strand break induction in colorectal cancer models. Cancers.
10. ICRF-193 and PTIO pharmacological inhibition studies. (2026). Experimental findings in inflammatory colorectal cancer models.
11. Egly JM, Brousset P, Li TK. (2026). Collaborative studies on DNA damage response signaling and colorectal tumorigenesis.
12. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Ting-Kang Chang, Author ID 24773447000. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=24773447000
    
13. Research Awards and Recognitions. (2026). Evaluation criteria for scientific impact and translational biomedical contributions.
14. Inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer research literature. (2026). Mechanisms of inflammation-associated genomic instability.
15. Conference participation records. (2026). NTU-KU-UT Mini-Symposium on Cancer Biology and Medicine; NTU-Osaka Joint Conference; Tsukuba Global Science Week.
16. Research Excellence Award Committee. (2026). Research nomination review materials and assessment documentation.
17. National Taiwan University. (2026). Teaching assistantship, laboratory research participation, and academic collaboration records.
18. Awards and Recognitions. (2026). Research Excellence Award nomination declaration and supporting documentation. https://awardsandrecognitions.com/