NYCU and HERON Break Ground on BNCT and Advanced Imaging Center

Source: Economic Daily News (Taiwan)
 

NYCU and HERON Break Ground on BNCT and Advanced Imaging Center

 

To advance medical technology development and strengthen research in precision cancer treatment and medical imaging, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) and Heron Neutron Medical Corp. (HERON) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the BNCT and Advanced Imaging Center on October 14 at NYCU's Bo-Ai Campus.

 

 

The ceremony was jointly hosted by NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin and HERON Chairman Chin-Jung Hsu, who is also an alumnus of the university, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to establish a research center dedicated to advanced medical technologies. 

The center will be located adjacent to the Chu-Ming Hospital at NYCU's Bo-Ai Campus. The planned facility will consist of one above-ground floor and two basement levels, with a total floor area of approximately 3,073 square meters. Specifically designed to accommodate Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) equipment and an ultra-high-field 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (7T MRI) system, the center will provide dedicated space for BNCT equipment installation and operational training. In the future, it is expected to serve as a key facility supporting advanced precision diagnostics at Chu-Ming Hospital. 

NYCU has a longstanding commitment to biomedical technology, medical imaging, and interdisciplinary research. In recent years, the university has actively promoted the development and translational application of advanced medical technologies. This collaboration will bring together NYCU’s strengths in medical research, clinical applications, and talent development with HERON's expertise in advanced medical technologies and equipment installation. Together, the two organizations will support the development of the center and facilitate the integration of academic research and industrial technologies. 

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy is a radiation treatment technique that combines boron-containing drugs with neutron irradiation. The treatment involves the selective accumulation of boron-containing compounds in tumor tissues, followed by neutron irradiation that induces localized nuclear reactions intended to destroy cancer cells. BNCT has attracted increasing attention in cancer treatment research in recent years. 

HERON's investment in the development of the center reflects its commitment to supporting innovative medical technologies and strengthening collaboration between academic research and clinical applications. 

Looking ahead, the center will progressively integrate resources in BNCT, medical imaging, clinical research, and translational medicine. By establishing an interdisciplinary medical technology research platform, it aims to facilitate technological development, talent cultivation, and clinical applications, contributing to the continued advancement of precision medicine and cancer treatment research in Taiwan. 

This collaboration also represents an important milestone in NYCU's Bo-Ai Campus Revitalization Initiative. The Bo-Ai Campus holds historical significance as one of the foundations of National Chiao Tung University and a birthplace of Taiwan's semiconductor technology development. 

In recent years, NYCU has been transforming the campus through projects such as the renovation of the Shu-Tian Building, the construction of Chu-Ming Hospital, and the redevelopment of aging student dormitories. 

By integrating clinical medicine, scientific research, and engineering technologies, the university aims to establish an innovation hub that closely connects healthcare, research, and education. This initiative will continue the Bo-Ai Campus's longstanding mission of cultivating scientific and technological talent while strengthening its role in advancing biomedical technology and interdisciplinary innovation in Taiwan.