In a chemistry laboratory at the Research Center of the National Taiwan University, shelves are filled with chemical containers. On the table is an array of flasks, test tubes, pipettes, crucibles and microscopes. A bespectacled young graduate student and a white-haired graduate assistant are engrossed in an experiment.

The NTU's Chemistry department has already obtained preliminary results in its research into the antiseptic and anti-cancer properties of seaweed.

In 1978, the University of Guam, in cooperation with Institute of Oceanography of NTU Professors Chiang Yung-mien and Cheng Ying- min (Geology), initiated a comparative study on the terrain and marine life under the sea around Guam and Taiwan. Funding for this international joint research was approved by both the executive Yuan's National Science Council and the National Science Foundation of the U.S. In charge of studies into the practical value of seaweed and analysis of its chemical composition are Professors Chiang and Cheng, along with Prof. Chen Fa-ching of the Chemistry Department.

'Seaweed' is a familiar form of plant life, but what exactly is it? How can it be used? Why would scholars want to conduct experiments on it? Prof. Chiang says, "Algae is an all-embracing term for the lowest order of plant life. There are both one-celled and multi-celled algae. They have no roots, stems, leaves or flowers. They are all around us: in the air, on tree trunks, in flower pots, ponds, even in the bodies of animals and plants. Algae can live wherever there's moisture."

The most familiar types of seaweed are the purple laver and Laminaria angustata. Purple laver contains carbohydrates, proteins; numerous minerals and vitamins. Laminaria angustata contains vitamins and minerals such as iodine, which can prevent goiter.

Apart from their food value, many kinds of seaweed are rich in gelatin, and can be used to make industrial glue. Seaweed has also been used in Europe to make fertilizer and animal fodder. In 1936, Prof. Chen Fa-ching, under the direction of a specialist, extracted from Digenea simplex a component useful as an ascaricide on which he later took out a patent. He did several more studies and was the first to obtain a D.Sc in organic chemistry from Japan after Taiwan's restoration to the Republic of China.

The NTU Chemistry Department has been conducting its study on seaweed since 1978. At first, the 40 varieties obtained were refined for germicidal and antiviral experiments. The results were not conclusive, since only two or three kinds of seaweed seem to be effective.

Dr. Chen, under the auspices of the National Science Council, joined the Columbia University's Chemistry Department for four months to study experimental methods in biology. Under the direction of Dr. K. Nakanishi, he conducted tests on snails and related creatures. After returning to Taiwan, he continued his studies on the anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties of 154 varieties of seaweed. During the first year's experiments, some 60 varieties were studied for their effect on Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Torala NTU537 and so on. The results showed that about 20 varieties appear to have suppressant qualities.

In the second year, Dr. Chen experimented on the effects of 96 varieties of seaweed on the S-180 sarcoma cell in white mice. Tests with external injection showed that 25 kinds of seaweed were more than 60 percent effective, and 16 others, 25-60 percent.

The third year's tests were con ducted with the help of Dr. R. Randall of Guam University, who procured the seaweed. Focus of the study was on the antibiotic properties of 80 varieties, and results were similar to those of the first year's tests.

Prof. Chen pointed out that the vast experiments on the antiseptic and anti-cancer properties of sea weed were assisted by many other scholars. He is particularly grateful to Drs. Chiang and Randall, as well as Prof. Tung Ta-cheng and Asst. Prof. Hsu Lung-lung of the Bio chemistry Department, Prof. Yang Sheng-hsing of the Agricultural Chemistry Department and others who have contributed to the experiments.

In the fourth year of tests, experiments will be made to ascertain the antibiotic properties of about 10 varieties of seaweed extract, purify their active components, and analyze their chemical composition.

After working on chemical studies for 45 years, Dr. Chen, now approaching the age of 70 will retire in three years time. He sighed: "Many NTU students in engineering and natural science, who go abroad after graduation to pursue advanced studies, never return. This is a sad fact, but fortunately there are many more who will come back after completion of their studies to serve their country." He named Asst. Prof. Hsu Lung-lung of the Biochemistry Dept. as an example.

Any trade or profession needs the participation of specialists and this is especially true of science and technology. It is to be hoped that more young people will return from overseas to bring back new skills and ideas in order to promote the nation's scientific progress.

[Picture Caption]

L: Dragon's beard is a kind of seaweed used to make agar. R: Various kinds of seaweed are being studied for their medicinal properties.

1. Corner of the laboratory at the NTU Research Center, containing a low-pressure condenser. 2. Prof. Chen Fa-ching has devoted his life to research. Flasks contain plants used in his experiments. 3. & 4. Research workers performing cancer tests on a white rat, and an anti-bacterial experiment.

Dragon's beard is a kind of seaweed used to make agar.

Dragon's beard is a kind of seaweed used to make agar.

Various kinds of seaweed are being studied for their medicinal properties.

: Various kinds of seaweed are being studied for their medicinal properties.

: Various kinds of seaweed are being studied for their medicinal properties.

Corner of the laboratory at the NTU Research Center, containing a low-pressure condenser.

Prof. Chen Fa-ching has devoted his life to research. Flasks contain plants used in his experiments.

Research workers performing cancer tests on a white rat, and an anti-bacterial experiment.

Research workers performing cancer tests on a white rat, and an anti-bacterial experiment.