Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai | Transgenesis | Excellence in Research Award 

Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai | Transgenesis | Chair Professor at Fu Jen Catholic University | Taiwan

Transgenesis Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai is a distinguished scientist whose career spans over five decades in molecular biology, marine biotechnology, developmental biology, and particularly gene transgenesis in aquatic organisms. Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai obtained his B.Sc. in Biology from Fu-Jen Catholic University, followed by an M.Sc. in Marine Biology and Fisheries Science from National Taiwan University, where his master’s thesis analyzed blood and muscle proteins of blenny fish via electrophoresis — grounding him firmly in marine biology and protein biochemistry. He then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Oregon State University, USA, completing a dissertation on “Conjugal transfer of plasmid genes between lactic Streptococcus and Leuconostoc starter cultures,” which provided him with rigorous training in gene transfer, plasmid biology and microbial genetics. This strong educational foundation supported a prolific professional journey: beginning as a research assistant, then serving as a teaching assistant, and eventually becoming a researcher in biotechnology and fermentation in the U.S., before returning to Taiwan to engage in academia and research. Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai progressed from Associate Professor to Professor — holding significant roles at the Institute of Fisheries Science and the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology at National Taiwan University, and later serving as Professor and Director of these institutes. He also held adjunct and visiting professorships, including at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at Mackay Medical College, and serves as Chair Professor in the Department of Life Science at Fu-Jen Catholic University. Throughout his career, Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai has combined marine biology, molecular biology, and biotechnology to pioneer the development of transgenic aquatic animals, especially using fish models. His research interests center on gene transgenesis in aquatic materials, developmental biology using model fish, molecular mechanisms of gene regulation, tissue-specific gene expression, environmental biotechnology applications, and the use of transgenic fish as biosensors for environmental toxicants. His lab has developed a wide range of transgenic lines — for example, fluorescent-protein–tagged zebrafish where muscle, heart, eye or ovary tissues are marked, as well as transgenic medaka and other aquaculture species — to study gene regulation, embryonic development, organogenesis, regeneration, and environmental responses. Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai’s research skills cover a broad array of molecular biology and biotechnology techniques: gene cloning, promoter analysis, microinjection and electroporation gene transfer methods, transgenesis, germ-line transmission, use of fluorescent reporter genes (GFP/RFP) for live imaging, developmental gene expression studies, protein biochemistry, and the use of aquatic model organisms. He has authored many peer-reviewed publications and secured patents for “Novel transgenic zebrafish, gene fragments and methods for producing transgenic zebrafish.” His honors and awards reflect his scientific leadership and teaching excellence, including the MOST Outstanding Research Award, Excellent Teaching Award, recognition as Distinguished Professor, the Y. Z. Hsu Technology Invention Award (Biotechnology Category) for a patent on “Novel Gene Fragment for Use in Golden Zebrafish,” and multiple Outstanding Research Awards, as well as inclusion in the prestigious directories Marquis Who’s Who in various categories — highlighting his global recognition. In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Huai-Jen Tsai stands as a pioneering and visionary scientist whose integration of marine biology, molecular techniques, and transgenic technologies has significantly advanced aquatic biotechnology and developmental biology. His lifelong commitment to gene transgenesis in fish, his development of transgenic aquatic models, and his mentorship of students position him as a foundational figure shaping the future of marine biotechnology, environmental monitoring using transgenic organisms, and developmental biology research.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Zeng, C.-W., & Tsai, H.-J. (2023). The Promising Role of a Zebrafish Model Employed in Neural Regeneration Following a Spinal Cord Injury. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(18), 13938. 

Tsai, H.-J. (2000). Electroporated Sperm Mediation of a Gene Transfer System for Finfish and Shellfish. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 56, 281–284. 

Tsai, H.-J., Chen, Y.-H., Lin, Y.-J., & Wang, Y.-H. (2006). Spatiotemporal Expression of Zebrafish Keratin 18 During Early Embryogenesis and the Establishment of a Keratin 18:RFP Transgenic Line. Gene Expression Patterns, 6(4), 335–339. 

Hsiao, C.-D., & Tsai, H.-J. (2003). Skin-specific Expression of ictacalcin, a Homolog of the S100 Genes, During Zebrafish Embryogenesis. Developmental Dynamics, 228(4), 745–750.

Chou, C.-Y., Horng, L.-S., & Tsai, H.-J. (2001). Uniform GFP-Expression in Transgenic Medaka (Oryzias latipes) at the F0 Generation. Transgenic Research, 10, 303–315.