The Chi Mei Medical Center established the Clinical Gene Sequencing Center under the Department of Pathology as early as 2014, providing a gene testing platform that combines high technical expertise, stable testing quality, and clinical utility. This center offers molecular tumor testing and companion diagnostics for cancers such as brain tumors, breast cancer, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancers to assist in cancer diagnosis and monitoring.
In 2017, with support from the hospital, Chi Mei Medical Center built a Precision Medicine Laboratory tailored to its needs. This laboratory enhanced its gene sequencing capabilities by adding a next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform, enabling large-scale data analysis to align with the rapid development of new drugs and support precise treatment choices. Additionally, an immunomagnetic depletion analyzer was introduced to measure trace amounts of tau protein and amyloid-beta in the bloodstream, facilitating preventive screening for Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The lab also installed a high-performance liquid chromatography system (UPLC) for vitamin analysis and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for multi-element and heavy metal testing.
In 2020, the center introduced liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for therapeutic drug monitoring and vitamin analysis. The lab is continuously expanding its metabolomics testing, aiming to deliver even more accurate and reliable testing services.
In response to advancements in precision medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center launched its Precision Medicine Center on October 1, 2021, under the leadership of Dr. Yu-Feng Tian, who serves as the center's director and Vice President of Medical Affairs. The center includes a Core Laboratory for Precision Medicine and collaborates with clinical precision medicine departments to advance precision healthcare. In the same year, high-throughput multi-gene sequencing analysis equipment was introduced, using next-generation sequencing and AI-driven big data analysis to provide comprehensive clinical cancer gene data analysis, significantly enhancing the center's service capacity and expertise in precision medicine.