From June to July 2025, the Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CDBRM) at National Taiwan University (NTU) hosted a three-week in-depth visit and academic exchange by Professor Arthur D. Lander, a leading authority in developmental and systems biology from the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine). Professor Lander visited NTU as part of the prestigious Chen-Yung Foundation awarded by the Chen-Yung Foundation. During his visit, he led an interdisciplinary research team to engage in close interactions with NTU faculty and students in fields such as systems biology, agricultural science, sustainable health, and cross-disciplinary education.

Professor Lander is internationally recognized for his expertise in developmental and systems biology and has long been dedicated to advancing quantitative biology and integrated scientific education. During this visit, he led his team from UC Irvine for extensive discussions with NTU scholars, aiming to foster tangible collaborative outcomes. On June 17, Professor Lander held an initial meeting with Professor Fang-Chia Chang and Professor Shau-Ping Lin to explore potential integrations of neurophysiology and systems modeling. On June 20, he gave a keynote lecture at the International Workshop on Agriculture and Systems Biology, sharing insights on how bioinformatics can facilitate cross-disciplinary biological research. His lecture received high praise from the attendees.

Subsequent meetings were intensive, including academic sessions on June 22 with Professors Tang-Long Shen, Chau-Ti Ting, and Shun-Chern Tsaur, as well as a deep discussion on June 26 with Professor Shau-Ping Lin and Professor I-Hsuan Liu. On June 27, Professor Lander was personally hosted by Professor Chun-Yen Chang, and they engaged in discussions regarding potential research collaboration in quantitative biology and green health. Professor Lander also visited the Green Health Research Center, exploring the development potential for sustainable environmental design and biological systems integration.

In addition to academic exchanges, Professor Lander conducted a specialized course titled “Science in the Kitchen” from June 23 to 28. The course, combining molecular biology, food nutrition, and practical design, attracted students from fields such as food science, animal science, horticulture, and agricultural chemistry. It inspired cross-disciplinary learning interests and fostered innovative thinking.

On July 10, Professor Lander, as Director of the Complex Biological Systems Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), was invited to participate in the inaugural Professor Feng-Chou Hsieh Memorial Lecture and Interdisciplinary Symposium, co-hosted by NTU’s CDBRM and the College of Medicine. He was the first recipient of the memorial lecture and delivered a keynote speech. The symposium brought together four international speakers, 16 Taiwanese scholars, and over 70 attendees, including faculty, students, and clinical doctors. The discussions covered various topics, including stem cell research, regenerative medicine, artificial intelligence, biophysics, medical ethics, and educational policy, embodying Professor Hsieh’s commitment to cross-disciplinary exchange and collaboration.

The long-term collaboration efforts between NTU and UC Irvine culminated on July 11 with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NTU and UC Irvine’s Complex Biological Systems Center, witnessed by Professor Lander and other relevant parties. The MOU focuses on cross-institutional collaboration and talent exchange in the fields of developmental and systems biology, sustainable health, and educational innovation. This agreement lays the groundwork for future bilateral research projects, faculty and student exchanges, and joint academic programs.

Through this month-long academic and educational exchange, the Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine has not only established a solid connection with Professor Lander’s team but also set the foundation for the MOU signing and the promotion of Chen-Yung Foundation’s Overseas Research Fellowship. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in cross-institutional, cross-national, and cross-disciplinary collaboration between NTU and UC Irvine in the fields of life sciences and educational innovation.