Prof. Danny Hsu

Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Dr. Hsu leads a multidisciplinary program at the interface of structural biology, protein chemistry, and translational medicine. As the first Taiwanese recipient of the HFSP Career Development Award, Dr. Hsu established a vibrant research program focused on protein folding, dynamics, and post-translational modifications, particularly glycosylation and ubiquitination. He has developed and applied integrative structural biology platforms—cryo-EM, NMR, mass spectrometry, and AI-based modeling—to dissect complex molecular systems, such as coronavirus spike proteins and the ubiquitin-proteasome system. His quantitative annotation of the structure-function relationship of protein glycosylation has led to the development of the GlycoSHIELD modeling algorithm, which has reshaped our understanding of immune evasion mechanisms, inspired new avenues in therapeutic design, and paved the way for the development of structural glycobiology. He has been recognized with prestigious awards, including an Outstanding Research Award from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, and the 2024 Franco-Taiwanese Scientific Grand Prize. As founding director of the Academia Sinica Protein Clinic and scientific advisor of the Academia Sinica Cryo-EM Center, he helps democratize access to structural biology tools for academia and industry. Through his service, innovation, and collaborative spirit, he continues to make a transformative impact on structural biology and biomedical sciences across Asia and beyond.