2005年

The physiochemical properties of fullerenes have aroused wide interest, such as its ability to accept and lose electrons and relatively high reactivity that permit various modes of structural modifications. However, obstacles to further research include its complete lack of solubility in water and low processability.\r This project investigated the morphology and microstructure of a fullerene-grafted polymer as a potential candidate for better and novel systems for drug delivery. In this research, hydrophilic functionalities were introduced to the C60 fullerene by chemical modifications, through the attachment of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) chain. The objective was to investigate the dynamics and the self-assembly properties of this polymer in aqueous solutions, and the knowledge gained would enhance the development of such system for potential applications in drug delivery and nanotechnology.

Root growth is related to the acquisition, distribution, and consumption of water and nutrients of plants. As a vital organ, roots directly take the effect of environmental change and its behavior is closely related to the growth of the whole plant. With such, the importance of root systems has motivated botanists to seek a better understanding of root branching complexity. This complexity, which has been difficult to comprehend using simple Euclidean methods (i.e. lines and circles), is important to the survival of plants, especially when the distribution of resources in the environment is scarce. Mathematical models using fractals and computers can be applied to accurately understand the growth and form complexity of plant root systems. This study was conducted to analyze the root growth of gamma-irradiated cashew and mangosteen using fractals.

桂枝?樟科植物肉桂之嫩枝，依古籍記載具解熱、鎮痙、抗菌及對消化液分泌有抗拮作用，藥理作用廣泛。近年來，國內外學者對其進行了大量的研究，且達到了較高的水平，查閱國內大量文獻，發現研究者對桂枝的成分、藥理等方面進行了深入的研究，其中較大比例的研究是對桂枝中有效成分桂皮醛(Cinnamic aldehyde)的討論，而我們希望能用新技術、新方法探討其藥理作用機制。

許多難纏的疾病，如神經退化性疾病與糖尿病，在1998年建立人類的胚胎幹細胞後，開始露出一線曙光。但就算科學家已經從胚胎幹細胞，成功引導出特殊種類與功能的細胞，預備做細胞治療時，需透過細胞核移植技術，使排斥的情形大大減少。所以當今年3月，韓國透過細胞核移植技術成功作出人類的胚胎幹細胞株時，轟動全世界。但是，他們從242顆卵，只做出一個胚胎幹細胞株，浪費這麼多卵子就牽涉到醫療倫理的層面了。既然，每一個人都要訂製自己的幹細胞株，那麼卵子的來源就很重要了。理論上，胚胎幹細胞可以分化成所有細胞與組織，當然也應該含生殖細胞在內。去年5月底，賓州大學就利用小鼠胚胎幹細胞，體外培養出型態上非常像卵子的細胞。所以，今年暑假利用兩個月時間，有個機會參與了台大醫學院婦產科的胚胎幹細胞研究團隊，稍稍瞭解了胚胎幹細胞製造成生殖細胞的過程。我們採取一種方法，先從胚胎幹細胞株，用類胚胎體(EB)的立體環境，加上 SSEA-1的篩選，與維他命A的刺激，引導至初始生殖細胞，第二步利用細胞重組的方法，利用小鼠胚胎的性腺組織，來支持這些選擇過的細胞，希望可以培養出小鼠的卵子或精子。我們從EB得到SSEA-1細胞約為全體細胞的10%，然後經過維他命A的刺激，得到SSEA-1細胞約為全體細胞的5%，這時的細胞理論上是初始生殖細胞 (PGC)，但是之後的體外單獨培養或與胚胎性腺重組培養，發現成果並不是很理想。到最後，也許受限於時間還有能力，沒有得到明確的小鼠生殖細胞，但是過程中，我學習到生殖細胞的生理，胚胎幹細胞的特性，基本實驗室的細胞培養與組織染色，這些都令我印象深刻。我們認為，如果有一個適當的基因轉植的胚胎幹細胞株，例如GFP放進生殖細胞相關的基因裡頭，讓達到終點，或邁向目標的細胞群，可以自我顯現，實驗會更容易達成目標。Scientists discovered ways to obtain or derive stem cells from early mouse embryos more than 20 years ago. Many years of detailed study of the biology of mouse stem cells led to the discovery of human embryonic stem cells in 1998. Through years of experimentation scientists have established some basic protocols or "recipes" for the directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells into some specific cell types. One major problem that must be solved before human stem cell therapy becomes a reality is the threat of rejection of the transplanted cells by the host's immune system. One way to avoid the problem of rejection is to use stem cells that are genetically identical to the host. This could be achieved by the same techniques of somatic cell nuclear transplantation (SCNT) that produced Dolly. Low efficiency less than 0.5% (1/242) in Korea this March brought some controversies in ethical issues. Where and how to procure the large amount of oocytes that will be required? One source of eggs could come from the generation of oocytes from embryonic stem cells (ESCs), as described by Hubner et al. (2003) in the mouse. By the selection of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and re-aggregation with their stromal cells, we hope to derive mature germ cells such as oocytes and sperm from ESCs in this study. In this study, we have demonstrated some PGCs after sequential selection by SSEA-1 antigen and optimal culture conditions. We also proved some FE-J1 positive cells but no further fertilization was obtained after all. Further investigation about this mechanism may be needed to derive these germ cells from ESCs.

The role of Notch signaling in the regulation of growth and differentiation of epithelial stem cells is poorly understood. While specific markers for epidermal stem cells have not yet been identified, members the Notch signaling pathway have been reported to be differentially expressed in the human epidermis. This study sought to demonstrate the presence and distribution of Notch and its ligands, Delta and Jagged, in human keratinocytes, and thereby characterize this subpopulation. Human neonatal foreskin samples were used to obtain isolated epidermal cells. Cells that were shown to be negative for connexin43, a gap junction protein, and positive for keratin14, a basal marker, were classified as presumptive stem cells (PSC). This sorted subpopulation was shown to be small and agranular by flow cytometry analysis. After two weeks in cell culture, PSC revealed a proliferative potential three times greater than non-sorted cells. The PSC exhibited increased expression of Delta and Jagged ligands than the general population. Additionally, RT-PCR confirmed the presence of Jagged and Delta in keratinocytes; however, only Jagged was detected in immunohistochemistry tests. Members of the Notch family were identified by immunohistochemistry in the epithelium and also at the protein- and mRNA-level. The data suggests that variations in the expression of members of the Notch signaling pathway could potentially be used as markers for stem cells of the epithelium; however, further research is necessary to make definitive conclusions, which would provide better insight into Notch regulatory pathways. This understanding could one day allow for the eventual treatment of epithelial damage caused by various skin diseases, injuries, or burns.

Nowadays, many people are suffering from eye defects and thus eye-glasses play a vital role in their life. On a sunny day, bright light enters our eyes without any adjustment of light intensity, causing discomfort and harm to our eyes. Therefore, sunglasses are right here to satisfy our needs. However, it is very inconvenient for some people who suffer from eye sight problems to bring two pairs of glasses and change them frequently. In order to solve this problem, our Esglasses are designed to combine both glasses together.\r To show the details of the physics theories behind our displays, we would like to illustrate the various components of a liquid crystal as well as the whole structure briefly. The liquid crystal we use is made up of molecules that have no positional order but tend to point in the same direction.

本實驗是利用二氧化矽分子篩保護奈米銀的方法，有別於市面上奈米銀產品大都以有機溶劑浸泡，且保護劑均是採取界面活性劑，該項產品浸在純水中除了不會改變溶液性質外，又能以分子篩特性讓奈米銀漸進式釋放而達到長效性效果。 針對棉衫吸附奈米銀實驗非常成功，經過十次以上洗滌且放置時間長達一個月以上，對於抗菌效果也有長效性的功能，為本次實驗重大突破。 The experiment is to use SiO2 molecular sieve protected nano Ag method , different from nano Ag popular product which is organic solvent-soak, and the protectant are all surfactant. This product will not change solvent’s proterty in pure water , beside , molecular sieve generally release nano Ag and achieve long-term effect . The experiment for cotton clothes adsorptive nano Ag is very successful , and achieve long-term effect in antibacterial property , that is the most significant .

無意間在某大學的科學討論版中，發現有人提問了一個關於旗子的問題，但遲遲無人回應。 \r 經過仔細思考這個問題後，想起許多旗幟在空中隨風飄揚的景象，那些旗子似乎有著一定的律動，而這個律動中，風扮演著一個十分重要的角色，不禁使我感到好奇：「風與旗子的擺動究竟有什麼關係？」，恰好有研究的機會，於是就以『旗海飄揚------旗面波之探討』為題目，展開了一系列的研究。

在一次意外的發現中，我觀察到以鱷魚夾夾住的鎂帶在海水中竟然不斷的冒出氣泡，引起了我一探究竟的興趣。經由一系列的探索和實驗，我驗證了此種奇特電化學行為的反應機制，並且藉著此種機制，我嘗試尋找可以產生最大電流、電壓的伏打電池組合，以便製出一個又產電、又生氫的新式伏打電池，一方面可作為直流電的電源，另一方面產生的氫氣又可作為燃料電池的燃料來源。 In one accidental discovery, I’ve observed that there were continuously bubbles coming out when a magnesium stripe was attached by the metal clip in the sea water. This incident aroused my curiosity to find out the reason. Through a series of searching and experiments, I have proved the mechanic reaction of this spectacular electronic chemical behavior. Then I tried to search for a combination which can produce the greatest electronic current and voltage in order to produce a new type of voltage battery that can produce electricity and hydrogen. In one way, it can be the source of producing the direct-current. On the other way, the hydrogen it produced can also be the source of a fuel battery.