Introduction
History
1958 – Professor Choh Hao Li Brings “New Insights into Biochemistry”
Professor Choh Hao Li, a Taiwanese scholar working in the United States and Director of the Hormone Research Institute at the University of California, was invited as a special lecturer by the China Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Culture. He returned to Taiwan and taught at National Taiwan University for eight weeks, introducing the latest developments in biological sciences, particularly advances in protein research.
His lectures had a profound impact on Taiwan's academic community and provided new directions for biological science research in the country. More importantly, Professor Li emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the development of biochemical research in Taiwan and personally began training local scientific talent.
1971 – Planning the Establishment of the Institute of Biochemical Sciences
When the time was deemed appropriate, plans were initiated to establish an Institute of Biochemical Sciences focused on protein research and meeting international standards.
In addition to Professor Choh Hao Li, other key individuals directly involved in the planning included Si-Liang Chien (President of Academia Sinica), Ta-You Wu (Chairman of the Science Development Steering Committee), S.S. Shu (Minister of the National Science and Technology Council), Yien-Si Tsiang (Minister of Education), Chen-Hsing Yen (President of National Taiwan University), and Tung-
Bin Lo (Professor at National Taiwan University).
A preparatory meeting was held in Taipei on December 1–2. It was decided that the preparatory office of the newly established Institute of Biochemistry at Academia Sinica would officially be named the Preparatory Office of the Institute of Biochemistry, and that a dedicated building would be constructed on the main campus of National Taiwan University .
To support this initiative, NTU established the Institute of Biochemical Sciences, which would work closely with Academia Sinica in advancing biochemical research. Under these circumstances, the Institute was officially approved and established in August 1972. With the agreement of both parties, Professor Tung-Bin Lo was appointed as the founding director of the two institutes. Preparatory work initially began in three laboratories temporarily provided by the Department of Chemistry on
the NTU main campus.
1973 – Admission of Master’s Students Begins
The Institute began admitting students to its Master's Program. With assistance from Academia Sinica and the National Science and Technology Council construction of the Biochemistry Building commenced on the NTU main campus in accordance with the cooperative agreement. The first phase of construction
was completed and became operational in 1975.
1976 – International Symposia Held Successively
Through joint faculty appointments, the two institutes overcame the limitations faced by independent operation. The Institute of Biochemistry at Academia Sinica benefited from access to graduate students, while the Institute of Biochemical Sciences at NTU was able to expand its research capacity beyond the staffing restrictions imposed on institutes without undergraduate programs. As a result, both institutes quickly established a strong foundation for biochemical research in Taiwan.
To further gain international recognition and promote academic exchange, the two institutes collaborated, with support from the National Science and Technology Council, to organize three international symposia focusing primarily on protein research. These symposia were held in March 1976, March 1978, and August 1982. The meetings provided a platform for presenting research achievements, received positive recognition from participating scholars, and gradually helped establish the institutes' international reputation.
1977 – Completion of the Biochemistry Building
The second phase of construction was completed in February 1977 with the full completion of the Biochemistry Building.
During this period, the two institutes gradually established a strong and effective collaborative partnership. The Biochemistry Building was jointly utilized, with Academia Sinica responsible for its construction and maintenance while NTU covered utility expenses such as water and electricity. Research instruments and facilities were shared, research funds were jointly administered, and faculty members were appointed by both institutions. These cooperative arrangements allowed the two
institutes to complement each other's strengths and significantly accelerated their development.
1984 – Establishment of the Doctoral Program
The Doctoral Program was established in July 1984, and student admissions began in the same year.
1991 – Expansion of Facilities
As space in the Biochemistry Building became increasingly insufficient, NTU funded the construction of an additional rear building to support further growth and development.
1998– Introduction of Master's Admission by Recommendation
The Institute launched an admission system allowing entry into the Master's Program through recommendation-based selection.
2003 – Integration into the College of Life Science
In August 2003, NTU established the College of Life Science. The Graduate Institute of Biochemical Sciences was subsequently incorporated into the College and also began supporting the Department of Biochemical Science & Technology.
Former Directors of the Institute
Since its establishment, the Institute has been led by a succession of distinguished scholars, including Professors Tung-Bin Lo, Yee-Hsiung Chen, Wen-Chang Chang, Chen-Sheng Liu, Mu-Chin Tzeng, Inn-Ho Tsai, Shih-Hung Chiu, Wen-Chang Chang, Geen-Dong Chang, and Lung-Chih Yu. The current Director of the Institute is Professor Hung-Yuan Chi.