帕偉鄂本 Pawel Urban

探索分子化學分析 開發自動化分析工具

I came to Taiwan over a decade ago. My laboratory is currently located in the Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University. My team carries out research toward development of tools for chemical analysis of small and large molecules. We focus on the development of enabling technologies for chemistry research, their applications, as well as fundamental studies.

In one branch of our research activities, we develop methods for detection of volatile organic compounds in a variety of matrices. This kind of chemical analysis is relevant to environmental science, food science, and biomedicine.

In the second branch of our research, we develop methods for interrogation of structural transitions in proteins. In fact, protein molecular structure is critical for protein function in biological systems.

Thus, there are efforts to understand the conditions in which protein molecules undergo structural transitions.

In the third branch of our research, we develop miniature probes and sensing devices for analysis compounds adsorbed on surfaces. These include skin excretion components or residues left on the surfaces of furniture. For example, we have developed methods for detecting metabolites (including disease biomarkers) in sweat, and applied them in the clinical setting (collaborative project).

In the case of skin metabolite analysis, the main analytical technique is mass spectrometry. However, in most our projects, we also develop prototypes of customized analytical instruments to address challenging tasks. Some of the developed instruments are portable, enabling analysis of chemicals outside the laboratory.

Overall, our research can contribute to the society in various ways, in particular by providing tools for rapid chemical characterization of foodstuffs and rapid non-invasive diagnostics based on skin excretion (sweat) analysis.