Academic Staff - Pharmacology

About Us

Head of Department

Gavin Stewart DAWE

Associate Professor

phchead@nus.edu.sg

phcdgs@nus.edu.sg

A/Prof. Gavin Stewart DAWE
Associate Professor
PhD
Office:
MD3, Level 4, Room #04-01Y
Research Area Keywords:
Neuropsychopharmacology, Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), Relaxin-3, Alzheimer’s Disease, Depression, Anxiety

phchead@nus.edu.sg
phcdgs@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Neuropsychopharmacology of antipsychotics, antidepressants and anxiolytics
Neurobiology of amyloid precursor protein (APP)
Neural stem cells and neurogenesis

Selected Publications

Cnops V, Iyer VR, Parathy N, Wong P, Dawe GS. Test, rinse, repeat: A review of carryover effects in rodent behavioral assays. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022 Apr;135:104560. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104560.
Wong WLE, Dawe GS, Young AH. The putative role of the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system in clinical depression and anxiety: A systematic literature review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Dec;131:429-450. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.028.
Teh DBL, Bansal A, Chai C, Toh TB, Tucker RAJ, Gammad GGL, Yeo Y, Lei Z, Zheng X, Yang F, Ho JS, Bolem N, Wu BC, Gnanasammandhan MK, Hooi L, Dawe GS, Libedinsky C, Ong WY, Halliwell B, Chow EK, Lim KL, Zhang Y, Kennedy BK. A Flexi-PEGDA Upconversion Implant for Wireless Brain Photodynamic Therapy. Adv Mater. 2020 Jul;32(29):e2001459. doi: 10.1002/adma.202001459.
Marwari S, Poulsen A, Shih N, Lakshminarayanan R, Kini RM, Johannes CW, Dymock BW, Dawe GS. Intranasal administration of a stapled relaxin-3 mimetic has anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like activity in rats. Br J Pharmacol. 2019 Oct;176(20):3899-3923. doi: 10.1111/bph.14774.
Liu C, Zhang CW, Zhou Y, Wong WQ, Lee LC, Ong WY, Yoon SO, Hong W, Fu XY, Soong TW, Koo EH, Stanton LW, Lim KL, Xiao ZC, Dawe GS. APP upregulation contributes to retinal ganglion cell degeneration via JNK3. Cell Death Differ. 2018 Mar;25(4):663-678. doi: 10.1038/s41418-017-0005-3.
Kumar JR, Rajkumar R, Jayakody T, Marwari S, Hong JM, Ma S, Gundlach AL, Lai MKP, Dawe GS. Relaxin' the brain: a case for targeting the nucleus incertus network and relaxin-3/RXFP3 system in neuropsychiatric disorders. Br J Pharmacol. 2017 May;174(10):1061-1076. doi: 10.1111/bph.13564.
Korpi ER, den Hollander B, Farooq U, Vashchinkina E, Rajkumar R, Nutt DJ, Hyytiä P, Dawe GS. Mechanisms of Action and Persistent Neuroplasticity by Drugs of Abuse. Pharmacol Rev. 2015 Oct;67(4):872-1004. doi: 10.1124/pr.115.010967.
Liu C, Tan FC, Xiao ZC, Dawe GS. Amyloid precursor protein enhances Nav1.6 sodium channel cell surface expression. J Biol Chem. 2015 May 8;290(19):12048-57.
Ma QH, Futagawa T, Yang WL, Jiang XD, Zeng L, Takeda Y, Xu RX, Bagnard D, Schachner M, Furley AJ, Karagogeos D, Watanabe K, Dawe GS, Xiao ZC. A TAG1-APP signalling pathway through Fe65 negatively modulates neurogenesis. Nat Cell Biol. 2008 Mar;10(3):283-94.
Tan XW, Liao H, Sun L, Okabe M, Xiao ZC, Dawe GS. Fetal microchimerism in the maternal mouse brain: a novel population of fetal progenitor or stem cells able to cross the blood-brain barrier? Stem Cells. 2005 Nov-Dec;23(10):1443-52.

Emeritus Professor

R Manjunatha KINI

Professor

dbskinim@nus.edu.sg

Edmund LEE Jon Deoon

Professor

phcelee@nus.edu.sg

Prof. Edmund LEE Jon Deoon
Professor
MBBS, MMed, PhD
Office:
-
Research Area Keywords:
Pharmacogenetics, Pharmacokinetics, Microbiomics, Pharmacometrics

phcelee@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Variability in drug response
Drug transporters
Early phase clinical trials

Selected Publications

Nguyen TT, Chua JK, Seah KS, Koo SH, Yee JY, Yang EG, Lim KK, Pang SY, Yuen A, Zhang L, Ang WH, Dymock B, Lee EJ, Chen ES. Predicting chemotherapeutic drug combinations through gene network profiling. Sci Rep. 2016 Jan 21;6:18658.
Koo SH, Lo YL, Yee JY, Lee EJ. Genetic and/or non-genetic causes for inter-individual and inter-cellular variability in transporter protein expression: implications for understanding drug efficacy and toxicity. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2015 Dec;11(12):1821-37.
Tay Z, Koo SH, Nguyen TT, Tan TS, Chen ML, Chin CF, Lim KK, Ang WH, Bay BH, Lee EJ, Chen ES. P-glycoprotein and vacuolar ATPase synergistically confer anthracycline resistance to fission yeast and human cells. Curr Med Chem. 2014;21(2):251-60
Brunham LR, Chan SL, Li R, Aminkeng F, Liu X, Saw WY, Ong RT, Pillai EN, Carleton BC, Toh D, Tan SH, Koo SH, Lee EJ, Chia KS, Ross CJ, Hayden MR, Sung C, Teo YY. Pharmacogenomic diversity in Singaporean populations and Europeans. Pharmacogenomics J. 2014 May 14(6):555-63
Pillai NE, Okada Y, Saw WY, Ong RT, Wang X, Tantoso E, Xu W, Peterson TA, Bielawny T, Ali M, Tay KY, Poh WT, Tan LW, Koo SH, Lim WY, Soong R, Wenk M, Raychaudhuri S, Little P, Plummer FA, Lee EJ, Chia KS, Luo M, De Bakker PI, Teo YY. Predicting HLA alleles from high-resolution SNP data in three Southeast Asian populations. Hum Mol Genet. 2014 23(16):4443-51
Yee JY, Limenta LM, Rogers K, Rogers SM, Tay VS, Lee EJ. Ensuring good quality RNA for quantitative real-time pcr isolated from renal proximal tubular cells using laser capture microdissection. BMC Res Notes. 2014 Jan 27;7:62..
Toh DS, Tan LL, Aw DC, Pang SM, Lim SH, Thirumoorthy T, Lee HY, Tay YK, Tan SK, Vasudevan A, Lateef A, Chong YY, Chan YC, Loke C, Chan CL, Koay ES, Ren EC, Lee EJ, Sung C. Building pharmacogenetics into a pharmacovigilance program in Singapore: using serious skin rash as a pilot study. Pharmacogenomics J. 2014 14(4):316-21
Chew SC, Lim J, Singh O, Chen X, Tan EH, Lee EJ, Chowbay B. Pharmacogenetic effects of regulatory nuclear receptors (PXR, CAR, RXRα and HNF4α) on docetaxel disposition in Chinese nasopharyngeal cancer patients. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2014;70(2):155-66.
Toh DS, Limenta LM, Yee JY, Wang LZ, Goh BC, Murray M, Lee EJ. Effect of Mushroom Diet on Pharmacokinetics of Gabapentin in Healthy Chinese Subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 78(1):129-3
Tay Z, Koo SH, Nguyen TT, Tan TS, Chen ML, Chin CF, Lim KK, Ang WH, Bay BH, Lee EJ, Chen ES. P-glycoprotein and vacuolar ATPase synergistically confer anthracycline resistance to fission yeast and human cells. Curr Med Chem. 2014;21(2):251-60.

Professor

Christopher CHEN Li-Hsian

Professor

phccclh@nus.edu.sg

Christopher CHEN Li-Hsian
Professor
BA, BMBCh, FRCP
Office:
MD6, Level 9, North Core
Research Area Keywords:
Cognitive Impairment, Dementia, Cerebrovascular Disease, Neurodegenerative Disease

phccclh@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Dementia
Stroke
Clinical Trials

Selected Publications

SJ van Veluw, S Hilal, HJ Kuiff, MK Ikram, X Xin, BY Tan, N Venketasubramanian, GJ Biessels, C Chen. Cortical Microinfarcts on 3T MRI : Clinical Correlates in Memory Clinic Patients. Alzheimer’s & Dementia 11 (2015) 1500-9 IF=17.472
X Xu, S Hilal, SL Collinson, EJY Chong, MK Ikram, N Venketasubramanian, CLH Chen The Association of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Markers of Cerebrovascular Disease Burden and Cognition Stroke 46 (2015) 2808-14 IF=6.018
S Hilal, YL Chai, MK Ikram, S Elangovan, BY Tan, X Xin, JY Chong, N Venketasubramanian, AM Richards, JPC Chong, MKP Lai, C Chen. Markers of Cardiac Dysfunction in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. Medicine 94 (2015) e297 IF=4.867
N Venketasubramanian, SHY Young, SS Tay, T Umapathi, AY Lao, HH Gan, AC Baroque II, , JC Navarro, HM Chang, JM Advincula, S Muengtaweepongsa, BPL Chan, CL Chua, N Wijekoon, HA de Silva, JHB Hiyadan, NC Suwanwela, KSL Wong, N Poungvarin, GB Eow, CF Lee, CLH Chen. CHInese Medicine NeuroAiD Efficacy on Stroke recovery – Extension Study (CHIMES-E : A multicenter study of long-term efficacy Cerebrovascular Diseases 39 (2015) 309-18 IF=3.698
ENOS Trial Investigators, Bath PMW, Woodhouse L, Scutt P, Krishnan K, Wardlaw JM, Bereczki D, Sprigg N, Berge E, Beridze M, Caso V, Chen C, Christensen H, Collins R, El Etribi A, Laska AC, Lees KR, Ozturk S, Phillips S, Pocock S, de Silva HA, Szatmari S, Utton S. Efficacy of nitric oxide, with or without continuing antihypertensive treatment, for management of high blood pressure in acute stroke (ENOS): a partial-factorial randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 385 (2015) 617-28 IF=39.207
CY Cheung,,YT Ong, MK Ikram,, SY Ong, X Li, S Hilal, JA Catindig, N Venketasubramanian, P Yap,D Seow, CP Chen, TY Wong Microvascular network alterations in the retina of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer's and Dementia 10 (2014) 135-42 IF=17.472
CLH Chen, N Venketasubramanian, CF Lee, KSL Wong, MG Bousser for the CHIMES Investigators. Effects of MLC601 on Early Vascular Events in Post-stroke Patients – The CHIMES Study Stroke 44 (2013) 3580-3583 IF=6.018
CLH Chen, SHY Young, HH Gan, R Singh, AY Lao, AC Baroque II, HM Chang, JHB Hiyadan, CL Chua, JM Advincula, S Muengtaweepongsa, BPL Chan, HA de Silva, S Towanabut, NC Suwanwela, N Poungvarin, S Chankrachang, KSL Wong, GB Eow, JC Navarro, N Venketasubramanian, CF Lee, M-G Bousser, for the CHIMES Study Investigators Chinese Medicine Neuroaid Efficacy on Stroke Recovery A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Study Stroke 44 (2013) 2093-2100 IF=6.01
JM Wardlaw,EE Smith, GJ Biessels, C Cordonnier, F Fazekas, R Frayne, RI Lindley, JT O’Brien, F Barkhof, OR Benavente, S Black, C Brayne, M Breteler, H Chabriat, C deCarli, FE de Leeuw, F Douba, M Duering, M Fox, S Greenberg, V Hachinski, I Kilimann, V Mok, R van Oosterbrugge, Pantoni, O Speck, BCM Stephan, S Teipel, A Viswanathan, D Werring, C Chen, C Smith, M van Buchem, B Norrving, PB Gorelick, M Dichgans. Neuroimaging standards for research into small vessel disease and its contribution to ageing and neurodegeneration: A united approach STandards for ReportIng Vascular Changes on NEuroimaging (STRIVE) v1 Lancet Neurology 12 (2013) 822-38 IF=21.823
S Hilal, MK Ikram, M Saini, JA Catindig, CS Tan, YH Dong, L Lim, A Qui, TY Wong, C Chen, N Venketasubramanian Prevalence of and risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia in Chinese: The Epidemiology of Dementia in Singapore (EDIS) Study J Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 84 (2013) 686-92 IF=5.58

Fred WONG Wai Shiu

Professor

phcwongf@nus.edu.sg

Prof. Fred WONG Wai Shiu
Professor
BSPharm (Cum Laude), PhD
Office:
MD3, Level 4, Room #04-01H
Research Area Keywords:
Asthma, COPD, Inflammation, Small Molecules, siRNA, Antioxidants

phcwongf@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests
Respiratory Pharmacology Laboratory

The long-term goals of his research program is to investigate mechanism-based pharmacological agents for the treatment of airway inflammation, oxidative damage, DNA damage and airway remodeling in asthma, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, viral/bacterial exacerbation conditions and steroid resistance, using small molecule drugs like natural/nutritional product bioactive molecules, target-specific blockers, antisense oligonucleotides/siRNA, pharmacoproteomics and pharmacometabolomics. The Respiratory Pharmacology Laboratory has been continuously supported by extramural grants over the past 27 years.

Selected Publications

C.K.M. Chew, I. Darlyuk-Saadon, N. Gilad, W.S.F. Wong, D. Engelberg (2022) Targeting p38a MAPK in chronic inflammation: could activation, not inhibition, be the appropriate therapeutic strategy. Pharmacol. Ther. 235:108153. [IF=12.31]
T.Y.W. Lam, N. Nguyen, H.Y. Peh, M. Shanmugasundaram, R. Chandna, J.H. Tee, C.B. Ong, Md.Z. Hossain, S. Venugopal, T. Zhang, S. Xu, T. Qiu, W.T. Kong, S. Chakarov, S. Srivastava, W. Liao, J.-S. Kim, M. The, F. Ginhoux, W.S.F. Wong, R. Ge (2022) ISM1 protects lung homeostasis via cell surface GRP78-mediated alveolar macrophage. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 119(4):2019161119. [IF=11.20]
I. Darlyuk-Saadon, C. Bai, C.K.M. Heng, N. Gilad, W. Yu, P.Y. Lim, A. Cazenave-Gassiot, Y. Zhang, W.S.F. Wong, D. Engelberg (2021) Active p38a causes macrovesicular fatty liver in mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 118 (14) e2018069118. [IF=11.20]
D. Mei, W.S.D. Tan, W. Liao, C.K.M. Heng, W.S.F. Wong (2020) Activation of angiotensin II type-2 receptor protects against cigarette smoke-induced COPD. Pharmacol. Res. 161:105223. [IF=7.658]
T.N.Q. Tran, W.S.D. Tan, W.S.F. Wong, C.L.L. Chai (2020) Polypharmacology of andrographolide: beyond one molecule one target. Nat. Prod. Rep. DOI: 10.1039/d0np00049c. [IF=12.5]
Q.T.N. Tran, W.S.D. Tan, W.S.F. Wong, C.L.L. Chai (2020) From irreversible to reversible covalent inhibitors: harnessing the andrographolide scaffold for anti-inflammatory action. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 204: 112481. [IF=6.514]
D. Mei, W.S.D. Tan, Y. Tay, A. Mukhopadhyay, W.S.F. Wong (2020) Therapeutic RNA strategies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Trends Pharmacol. Sci.41:475-486. [IF=14.819]
W. Liao, A.Y.H. Lim, W.S.D. Tan, J. Abisheganaden, W.S.F. Wong (2020) Restoration of HDAC2 and Nrf2 by andrographolide overcomes corticosteroid resistance in COPD. Br. J. Pharmacol. 177:3662-3673. [IF=8.739]
Q.T.N. Tran, W.S.F. Wong, C.L.L. Chai (2019) The identification of naturally occurring labdene diterpenoid Calcaratarin D as a potential anti-inflammatory agent. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 174:33-44. [IF=6.514]
J.R. Dong, W. Liao, L.H. Tan, A. Yong, W.Y. Peh, W.S.F. Wong (2018) Gene silencing of receptor-interacting protein 2 protects against cigarette smoke-induced acute lung injury. Pharmacol. Res. 139:560-568. [IF=7.658]
J.R. Dong, W. Liao, H.Y. Peh, W.S.D. Tan, S. Zhou, W.S.F. Wong (2018) Ribosomal protein S3 gene silencing protects against cigarette smoke-induced acute lung injury. Mol. Ther. Nucleic Acids 12:370-380. [IF=8.886]
H.Y. Peh, W.S.D. Tan, T.K. Chan, C.W. Pow, P.S. Foster, W.S.F. Wong (2017) Vitamin E isoform g-tocotrienol protects against emphysema in cigarette smoke-induced COPD. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 110:332-344 [IF=7.376]

Associate Professor

Inthrani RAJA INDRAN

Associate Professor

phciri@nus.edu.sg

KWON Seok Soga

Associate Professor

kwonseok@nus.edu.sg

A/P KWON Seok (Soga)

Associate Professor
PhD
Office:
MD3, Level 4, Room #04-01K
Research Area Keywords:

Regulatory Toxicology, Risk Assessment

kwonseok@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Risk assessment of consumer products
Regulatory use of safety information derived from New Approach Methodologies (NAM)

Selected Publications

Bearth A, Kopainsky B, Jones LB, Vist GE, Husøy T, Svendsen C, Whaley P, Hoffmann S, Ames HM, Solstad G, Bloch D, Čavoški A, Chiu WA, Davenport M, Davies HG, Giusti A, Hartung T, Kwon S, Osborne OJ, Rooney AA, Rousselle C, Sass JB, Wright FA, Mathisen GH. Exploring experiences of the regulatory toxicology system: system-level promoters and inhibitors of new approach methodologies. Arch Toxicol. 2025 Sep 9. doi: 10.1007/s00204-025-04168-z.
Mathisen GH, Bearth A, Jones LB, Hoffmann S, Vist GE, Ames HM, Husøy T, Svendsen C, Tsaioun K, Ashikaga T, Bloch D, Cavoski A, Chiu WA, Davies HG, Giusti A, Hartung T, Hirabayashi Y, Hogberg HT, Joglekar R, Kojima H, Krishnan K, Kwon S, Osborne OJ, Roggen E, Rooney AA, Rousselle C, Sass JB, Sepai O, Simanainen U, Thayer KA, Tong W, Wikoff D, Wright F, Whaley P (2024). Time for CHANGE: system-level interventions for bringing forward the date of effective use of NAMs in regulatory toxicology. Arch Toxicol. doi: 10.1007/s00204-024-03802-6.
Lee BM, Bearth A, Tighe RM, Kim M, Tan S, Kwon S (2023). Biocidal Products: Opportunities in Risk Assessment, Management and Communication. Risk Analysis, 1–15.
Lee SH, Kim J, Kim J, Park J, Park S, Kim KB, Lee BM, Kwon S (2022). Current trends in read-across applications for chemical risk assessments and chemical registrations in the Republic of Korea. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part B. Critical reviews. Vol 25, No. 8, 393-404.
Lee BM, Lee SH, Yamada T, Park S, Wang Y, Kim KB, Kwon S (2022). Read-across approaches: current applications and regulatory acceptance in Korea, Japan, and China. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A. Part A. 85, No. 5, 184-197.
Bearth A, Saleh R, Lee G, Kwon S (2021). Trace chemicals in consumer products - Consumers' acceptance before and after receiving information about toxicological principles. Food Chem Toxicol Jul; 153:1-7.
Bearth A, Kwon S, Siegrist M (2021). Chemophobia and knowledge of toxicological principles in South-Korea: perceptions of trace chemicals in consumer products. J Toxicol Environ Health A. Mar 4;84(5):183-195.
Lee BM, Choi M, Shin I, Kim J, Choi Z, Kim K, Choi K, Yang S, So DY, Tae Ju S, Kwon S (2020). Risk communication for labeling all ingredients in consumer products. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 83(13-14):509-524.
Lee BM, Kwon S, Cho YM, Kim KB, Seo K, Min CS, Kim K (2019). Perspectives on trace chemical safety and chemophobia: risk communication and risk management. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 82(2):113-127.
Dhawan A, Kwon S (2018). Co-editor, In vitro toxicology, 1^st Edition, Academic Press.
Takeuchi S, Kwon S (2018). In vitro methods for predicting ocular irritation. In: In vitro toxicology, pp. 209-219. Dhawan A, Kwon S, ed., London, United Kingdom.
Kwon S, Lee BM (2018). Risk assessment and regulatory toxicology. Chapter 30, Lu’s Basic Toxicology: Fundamentals, Target Organs, and Risk Assessment, Seventh Edition. CRC Press.

LE Thi Nguyet Minh

Associate Professor

phcltnm@nus.edu.sg

A/P Thi Nguyet Minh LE
Associate Professor
PhD
Office:
MD3, Level 4, Unit 04-01T
Research Area Keywords:
Drug Delivery, Extracellular Vesicles, RNA Therapies, Cancer Biology, Cell Biology

Lab Web Page:

LE Thi Nguyet Minh Lab

phcltnm@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are natural carriers of bioactive molecules in intercellular communication hence, they are also ideal vehicles for therapeutic molecules. Recently, we have developed a strategy to harness EVs from red blood cells (RBCs) for the delivery of drugs to cancer cells. RBCs are readily available from blood banks and they release a large amount of EVs hence, it is easy to purify RBCEVs in large quantities without any expensive and labor-intensive cell culture. RBCEVs mediate robust delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids and proteins to both leukemia cells and solid cancer cells for efficient oncogene inhibition. Moreover, this delivery platform is safe as RBCEVs are devoid of DNA, growth factors, and toxic substances. We have also engineered RBCEVs with peptide and antibody conjugation for targeted delivery. Our study was published in more than 20 papers. The RBCEV technology has been licensed to Carmine Therapeutics. We are currently developing multiple applications of RBCEV-mediated gene therapy for cancer, COVID-19, and other diseases. We are also investigating the mechanisms that mediate the uptake and intracellular trafficking of RBCEVs. This study will help us to develop RBCEVs into a versatile drug delivery platform with high efficiency, low toxicity, and high specificity.

Selected Publications

Trinh TT Tran, Dai C Phung, Brendon ZJ Yeo, Migara K Jayasinghe, Yuan Ju, Eric YM Yeo, Boon C Goh, Wai-Leong Tam,* Minh TN Le* Customized design of ASOs targeting EGFR driver mutants for personalized treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, eBioMedicine (part of THE LANCET Discovery Science) (2024) 108: 105356.
Migara Jayasinghe^#, Yock Sin Lay, Dawn Liu Xiao Tian, Chang Yu Lee, Chang Gao, Brendon Zhi Jie Yeo, Faith Yuan Xin Hou, Rebecca Carissa Prajogo, Dong Van Hoang, Hong Anh Le, Thach Tuan Pham, Boya Peng, Dai Cao Phung, Daniel G. Tenen, Minh TN Le* “Extracellular Vesicle Surface Display Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety Profile of Cancer Immunotherapy”, Molecular Therapy (2024) 32: 1-22.
Zhiyuan Wu^#, Wei Li^#, Melissa Tan^#, Faith How, Sadhasivan, Ratha Mahendran, Qinghui Wu, Edmund Chiong,^* Minh TN Le^* IL-12 minicircle delivery via extracellular vesicles as immunotherapy for bladder cancer, Cell Proliferation (2024) e13739.
Xuan T. T. Dang^#, Cao Dai Phung^#, Claudine Ming Hui Lim, Migara Kavishka Jayasinghe, Jorgen Ang, Thai Tran, Herbert Schwarz, Minh T. N. Le^* “Dendritic cell-targeted delivery of antigens using extracellular vesicles for anti-cancer immunotherapy”, Cell Proliferation, (2024).
Ka Wai Wong, Yingying Zeng, Edison Tay, Jia Hao Jackie Teo, Nadia Omega Cipta, Kiyofumi Hamashima, Yao Yi, Haijun Liu, Tushar Warrier, Minh TN Le, Soon Chye Ng, Qi-Jing Li, Hu Li, Yuin-Han Loh*, Nuclear Receptor-SINE B1 Network Modulates Expanded Pluripotency in Blastoids and Blastocysts, Nature Communications (2024) In press.
Wai Koay, Chang Gao, Quyen Vu, Xin Oh, Huihui Lin, Saugat Mondal, Pradeep Singh, Xian Jun Loh, Minh TN Le, Vinh Truong*, Light Switchable Bioorthogonal Reaction Manifold for Modulation of Hydrogel Properties, Biomacromolecules. (2024) In press.
Migara K. Jayasinghe^#, Chang Gao^#, Gracemary Yap, Brendon Zhi Jie Yeo, Luyen Tien Vu, Douglas Jie Wen Tay, Wen Xiu Loh, Zhen Qin Aw, Huixin Chen, Dai Cao Phung, Dong Van Hoang, Rebecca Carissa Prajogo, Lissa Hooi, Fang Qing Lim, Marco Pirisinu, Chee Keng Mok, Kah Wai Lim, Sze Jing Tang, Kai Sen Tan, Edward Kai-Hua Chow, Leilei Chen, Anh Tuan Phan, Justin Jang Hann Chu, and Minh TN Le* “Red Blood Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Display Endogenous Antiviral Effects and Enhance the Efficacy of Antiviral Oligonucleotide Therapy”, ACS Nano, (2023).
Thach Tuan Pham^#, Anh Hong Le^#, Cong Phi Dang, Chong Suet Yen, Dang Vinh Do, Boya Peng, Migara Kavishka Jayasinghe, Hoang Van Dong, Roma Anne Louise, Hong Boon Ong, Yuin-Han Loh, Han Wei Hou, Jiong-Wei Wang, Minh TN Le* “Endocytosis of red blood cell extracellular vesicles by macrophages leads to cytoplasmic heme release and prevents foam cell formation in atherosclerosis”, Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, (2023).
Boya Peng^#, Yuqi Yang^#, Zhiyuan Wu, Rachel Tan, Eric Yew Meng Yeo, Marco Pirisinu, Thach Tuan Pham, Migara Kavishka Jayasinghe, Tin Chanh Pham, Liang Kun, Ng Shyh-Chang,* Minh TN Le* “Red blood cell extracellular vesicles deliver therapeutic RNAs to skeletal muscles for treatment of cancer cachexia”, Molecular Therapy, (2023).
Thach Tuan Pham^#, Huan Chen^#, Phuong H.D. Nguyen^#, Migara Kavishka Jayasinghe, Anh Hong Le, Minh TN Le* . “Endosomal escape of nucleic acids from extracellular vesicles mediates functional therapeutic delivery.” Pharmacological Research (2023): 106665.

Lab web page

LE Thi Nguyet Minh Lab

LOW Chian Ming

Associate Professor
Deputy Head of Department

phclowcm@nus.edu.sg

A/P LOW Chian Ming
Deputy Head of Department
B.Sc (Pharmacy), M.Sc (Biopharmacy, Distinction), PhD (Pharmacology)
Office:
MD3, Level 4, Room #04-01V
Research Area Keywords:

Neuropharmacology, NMDA Receptors, Neuroinflammation, Pain, Personalized Medicine/ Channelopathies, Chemical Biology

phclowcm@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Neuroprotective strategies towards overactivation of NMDA receptors that leads to cell excitotoxicity
Functional roles of NMDA receptors in pain modulation, Alzheimer's disease and bipolar/Schizophrenia disorders
Personalized medicine in channelopathies
Brain Mapping/Connectomes

Selected Publications

Kohmura, Y*. Yang, S-M., Chen, H-H., Takano, H., Wang, Y-S., Lee, T-T., Chiu, C-Y., Yang, K-E., Chien, Y-T, Hsu, C-H, Hu, H-M., Su, T-L., Petibois, C., Chen, Y-Y., Chen, P., Hueng, D-Y., Chen, S-J., Yang, C-L., Chen,A.L., Low, C-M., Tan, F.C.K., Teo, A., Tok, E.S., Tsai, H.S., Lin, H.M., Boeckl, J., Stampfl, A.P., Yamada, J., Matsuyama, S., Ishikawa, T., Margaritondo, G., Chiang, A-S., and Hwu, Y.* (2022). The new X-ray/visible microscopy MAXWELL technique for fast three-dimensional nanoimaging with isotropic resolution. Sci Rep 12: 9668 doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-13377-w (IF=4.397).
Hansen, K.B.*, Wollmuth, L.P., Bowie, D., Furukawa, H., Menniti, F.S., Sobolevsky, A.I., Swanson, G.T., Swanger, S.A., Greger, I.H., Nakagawa, T. McBain, C.J., Jayaraman, V., Low, C-M., Dell'Acqua, M.L., Diamond, J.S., Perszyk, R.E., Camp, C.R., Yuan, H., and Traynelis, S.F.* (2021). Structure, function, and pharmacology of glutamate receptor ion channels. Pharmacol. Rev. (In press) (IF=17.395).
Chin, A-L. , Yang, S-M., Chen, Li, M-T., T-T., Chen, Y-J., Lee. T-K., Petibois, C., Cai X., Low, C-M., Tan, F.C.K., Teo, A., Tok, E.S., Ong, E.B.L., Lin, Y-Y., Lin, I-J., Tseng, Y-C., Chen, N-Y., Shih, C-T., Lim, J-H., Je, J-H, Kohmura, Y., Ishikawa, T., Margaritondo, G., Chiang, A-S. * and Hwu, Y.* (2020). A synchrotron X-ray imaging strategy to map large animal brains. Ch. J. Phys. 65:24-32 doi.org/10.1016/j.cjph.2020.01.010 (JCR2018 IF=2.544).
Myers SJ, Yuan H, Kang JQ, Tan F.C.K., Traynelis S.F. and Low C-M.* (2019). Distinct roles of GRIN2A and GRIN2B variants in neurological conditions. F1000Research 2019, 8(F1000 Faculty Rev):1940 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.18949.1)
Ariffin, M.Z., Ibrahim, K., Ang, S.T., Lee A.T-H., Thong, H.K., Lee, R.Z., Poon, S.Y., Liu, E.H-C., Low, C-M., Khanna, S.* (2018) Forebrain medial septum is a CNS substrate for sustaining experimental neuropathic pain. Sci. Rep. 8:11892 (JCR2016 IF=4.259).
Ng, C.Y., Kannan, S., Chen, Y.J., Tan, F.C.K, Ong, W.Y., Go, M.L., Verma, C.S.*, Low C-M.* and Lam, Y.* (2017). A new generation of arachidonic acid analogues as potential neurological agent targeting cytosolic phospholipase A2. Sci. Rep. 7:13683. (JCR2016 IF=4.259).
Ng, K-S., Leung H-W., Wong, P.T-H. and Low, C-M.* (2012). Cleavage of the NR2B subunit amino terminus of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor by tissue plasminogen activator: Identification of the cleavage site and characterization of ifenprodil and glycine affinities on truncated NMDA receptor. J Biol Chem 287:25520-25529 (JCR2010 IF=5.328).
Wee, X-K., Ng, K-S., Leung, H-W., Cheong, Y-P., Kong, K.H., Ng, F-M., Soh, W-Q., Lam, Y.L. and Low, C-M.* (2010). Mapping the high-affinity binding site of 5’-substituted benzimidazoles to the amino-terminal domain of NR2B subunit of NMDA receptor. Br.J.Pharmacol. 159:449-461. (JCR2010 IF=4.925).
Wee, K.S-L., Zhang, Y., Khanna, S. and Low, C-M.* (2008). Immunolocalization of NMDA receptor subunit NR3B in selected structures in the rat forebrain, cerebellum and lumbar spinal cord. J. Comp. Neurol. 509:118-135. (; JCR2010 IF=3.774)
Wong, E.S-P., Ng, F-M., Yu, C-Y., Lim, P, Lim,L-H., Traynelis, S.F., and Low,C-M.* (2005). Expression and characterization of soluble amino-terminal domain of NR2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Protein Sci. 14: 2275-2283. (JCR2010 IF=2.741)

Gautam SETHI

Associate Professor
Chair of Department Safety and Health Committee

phcgs@nus.edu.sg

A/P Gautam SETHI
Chair of Department Safety and Health Committee
Masters, PhD
Office:
MD3, Level 4, #04-01
Research Area Keywords:
Cancer pharmacology, Cell signalling, Transcription factors, Mouse models of Cancer, Natural products.

phcgs@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Mechanism(s) of regulation of oncogenic transcription factors by carcinogens and inflammatory agents.
Identification of novel pharmacological compounds that can modulate activation of these transcription factors.
Preclinical development and characterization of novel compounds for cancer therapy.
Establishment of orthotopic/transgenic and xenograft mouse models of various cancers for testing preclinical efficacy of novel anticancer drugs.
Identification and characterization of novel biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
Development of cancer chemoprevention strategies.

Editorial Board Membership of journals

A/P Gautam SETHI is the editorial board member of 11 different international journals:

Antioxidant & Redox Signaling
BMC Cancer
Bioscience Reports
Cells
Cancer Letters
International Journal of Biological Sciences
International Journal of Cancer
Journal of Functional Foods
Scientific Reports
Pharmacological Research
PLOS One

Selected Awards and Honours

World’s Most Highly Citied Researcher 2021
World’s Most Highly Citied Researcher 2020
NUS School of Medicine Graduate mentor of the Year Gramay Award in 2018.
Inaugural Pharmacological Society of Singapore Award for excellence in Cancer Pharmacology Research in 2017.
NUHS Faculty Research Excellence Award in 2011.

Selected Publications

Jung YY, Ha IJ, Um JY, Sethi G*, Ahn KS. Fangchinoline diminishes STAT3 activation by stimulating oxidative stress and targeting SHP-1 protein in multiple myeloma model. (2022). J Adv Res. 35: 245-257. (IF=12.82). *Co-corresponding author.
Jung YY, Ko JH, Um JY, Sethi G* Ahn KS. A Novel Role of Bergamottin in Attenuating Cancer Associated Cachexia by Diverse Molecular Mechanisms. (2021). Cancers (Basel). 13(6):1347. (IF=6.57). *Co- corresponding author.
Lee JH, Mohan CD, Deivasigamani A, Jung YY, Rangappa S, Basappa S, Chinnathambi A, Alahmadi TA, Alharbi SA, Garg M, Lin ZX, Rangappa KS, Sethi G*, Hui KM, Ahn KS. Brusatol suppresses STAT3-driven metastasis by downregulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma (2020). J Adv Res. 26:83-94. (IF=12.82). *Co-corresponding author.
Jung YY, Shanmugam MK, Narula AS, Kim C, Lee JH, Namjoshi OA, Blough BE, Sethi G*, Ahn KS. Oxymatrine Attenuates Tumor Growth and Deactivates STAT5 Signaling in a Lung Cancer Xenograft Model. (2019). Cancers (Basel). 11. pii: E49. (IF=6.57). *Co- corresponding author.
Wang L, Syn NL, Subhash VV, Any Y, Thuya WL, Cheow E, Kong L, Yu F, Peethala PC, Wong AL, Laljibhai HJ, Chinnathambi A, Ong PS, Ho PC, Sethi G*, Yong WP, Goh BC. Pan-HDAC inhibition by panobinostat mediates chemosensitization to carboplatin in non-small cell lung cancer via attenuation of EGFR signaling. (2018). Cancer Lett. 417:152-160. *Co-corresponding author. (IF= 9.7). *Co-corresponding author.
Ong PS, Wang L, Chia DM, Seah JY, Kong LR, Thuya WL, Chinnathambi A, Lau JY, Wong AL, Yong WP, Yang D, Ho PC, Sethi G*, Goh BC. A novel combinatorial strategy using Seliciclib(®) and Belinostat(®) for eradication of non-small cell lung cancer via apoptosis induction and BID activation. (2016). Cancer Lett. 381: 49-57. (IF=9.7). *Co-corresponding author.
Zhang J, Ahn KS, Kim C, Shanmugam MK, Siveen KS, Arfuso F, Samy RP, Deivasigamani A, Lim LH, Wang L, Goh BC, Kumar AP, Hui KM, Sethi G. Nimbolide-induced oxidative stress abrogates STAT3 signaling cascade and inhibits tumor growth in transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate model. (2016). Antioxid Redox Signal. 24:575-589. (IF= 7.4). Corresponding author.
Sethi G, Chatterjee S, Rajendran P, Li F, Shanmugam MK, Wong KF, Kumar AP, Senapati P, Behera AK, Hui KM, Basha J, Natesh N, Luk JM, Kundu TK. Inhibition of STAT3 dimerization and acetylation by garcinol suppresses the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. (2014). Mol Cancer. 13: 66 (IF= 41.0).
Hay HS, Shin EM, Lee MH, Goh JN, Ong HT, Arkasubhra G, Wong M, Ong CW, Mendoz E, Sun W, Kong X, Tan TZ, Salto-Tellez M, Putti TC, Lim CT, Lobie PE, Lim YP, Yap CT, Sethi G, Lee, MB, Tan P, Goh BC, Miller LD, Hui KM, Zhu T, Thiery JP, Miyamoto S, Tergaonkar V, Kumar AP. DEAD-box Helicase DP103 Defines the Metastatic Potential of Human Breast Cancers. (2014). J Clin Invest. 124: 3807-3824. (IF=19.4).
Manu KA, Shanmugam MK, Rajendran P, Li F, Ramachandran L, Hay HS, Kannaiyan R, Nanjunda Swamy S, Vali S, Kapoor S, Ramesh B, Bist P, Koay ES, Lim LH, Ahn KS, Kumar AP, Sethi G. Plumbagin Inhibits Invasion and Migration of Breast and Gastric Cancer Cells by Downregulating the Expression of Chemokine Receptor CXCR4. (2011). Mol Cancer. 10:107. (IF= 41.0). Corresponding author.

Judy SNG Chia Ghee

Associate Professor
Education Director

phcsngj@nus.edu.sg

Honorary Fellow

TAN Chay Hoon

Associate Professor
Honorary Fellow

phctanch@nus.edu.sg

Assistant Professor

Alan Prem KUMAR

Research Assistant Professor

apkumar@nus.edu.sg

Dr Alan Prem KUMAR
Research Assistant Professor
PhD

Office:
MD3, Level 4, #04-01W

Lab Location: MD3, 16 Medical Drive, Level 6, Bench 5 & 11, Singapore 117600.
Research Area Keywords:
Prognostic markers; Personalized targeted therapy; Acquisition of resistance to chemotherapy; Drug development; Tumor microenvironment remodeling; Immunoediting; Breast and gynecological cancers

Research Interests

Identification of prognostic markers for metastatic cancers to support personalized treatment strategies.
Functional characterization of oncogenes implicated in cancer progression and chemotherapy resistance.
Development of targeted therapies for female reproductive cancers based on oncogenic pathway activation.
Study of post-translational modifications (phosphorylation, acetylation, SUMOylation) of nuclear receptors.
Discovery of novel therapeutic targets for female reproductive cancers.

Key Achievements

Four-time Recipient of World’s Top 1% Highly Cited Researchers™ 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 by Clarivate. The highly anticipated list of Highly Cited Researchers™ identifies researchers who demonstrated significant influence in their chosen field through the publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade. Their names are drawn from the publications that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and publication year in the Web of Science™ citation index.
Three-time Recipient of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS Graduate Mentor of the Year Award in 2017, 2021, 2025. The Graduate Mentor of The Year (GRAMAY) Award is an annual award that honors and celebrates faculty staff for their excellence in mentorship and the professional development of graduate students in the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
Two-time Recipient of Top 2% of Scientists Worldwide in a study from Stanford University. Ioannidis, John P.A (2022 & 2023).
Recipient of World’s Best Biology and Biochemistry Scientists 2023. Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Singapore Leader Award 2023. The 2nd edition of Research.com ranking of the best scholars in the discipline of Biology and Biochemistry is based on data combined from multiple data sources including OpenAlex and CrossRef.
Four-time Recipient of Publication Impact Factor Award for Adjunct Publishing at Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia.
Awarded the Korean Breast Cancer Foundation Scholarship (USD$1,000) for outstanding oral presentation and active participation in the Global Breast Cancer Conference 2016. This conference was held on 28 -30 April 2016 in Jeju Island, Korea.
Received Award in the amount of USD$1,000 at the Society of Free Radical Biology and Medicine on Nov 17, 2007, Washington DC, USA to share our joint research findings with the international free radical research community.
Recipient of AACR-ITO EN, Ltd. Award in the amount of USD$2,000 at American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, USA, April 12-16, 2008, to share my PPARg research findings with the international cancer research community.
Recipient of Outstanding Teaching Award from Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, USA in 1999.

Scientific Advisory Boards & Organisations

Active Member - European Association for Cancer Research, Nottingham, UK, 2018 - Present

Member - Singapore Pharmacological Society, Singapore, 2018 - Present

Member - AUM Biosciences, Singapore, 2018 - Present

Member - SMS Seva Healthcare, Government of India, India, 2018 - Present

Member - The Sparks Foundation, Singapore, 2018 - Present

Active Member - American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2015 - Present

Selected Publications

Glaviano A, Singh SK, Lee EHC, Okina E, Lam HY, Carbone D, Reddy EP, O'Connor MJ, Koff A, Singh G, Stebbing J, Sethi G, Crasta KC, Diana P, Keyomarsi K, Yaffe MB, Wander SA, Bardia A, Kumar AP. Cell cycle dysregulation in cancer. Pharmacol Rev. 2025 Mar;77(2):100030. (IF=19.3)
Hushmandi K, Einollahi B, Lee EHC, Sakaizawa R, Glaviano A, Reiter RJ, Saadat SH, Farani MR, Huh YS, Aref AR, Salimimoghadam S, Kumar AP. Bispecific antibodies as powerful immunotherapeutic agents for urological cancers: Recent innovations based on preclinical and clinical evidence. Int J Biol Sci. 2025 Jan 27;21(4):1410-1435. (IF=8.2)
Glaviano A, Lau HS, Carter LM, Lee EHC, Lam HY, Okina E, Tan DJJ, Tan W, Ang HL, Carbone D, Yee MY, Shanmugam MK, Huang XZ, Sethi G, Tan TZ, Lim LHK, Huang RY, Ungefroren H, Giovannetti E, Tang DG, Bruno TC, Luo P, Andersen MH, Qian BZ, Ishihara J, Radisky DC, Elias S, Yadav S, Kim M, Robert C, Diana P, Schalper KA, Shi T, Merghoub T, Krebs S, Kusumbe AP, Davids MS, Brown JR, Kumar AP. Harnessing the tumor microenvironment: targeted cancer therapies through modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Hematol Oncol. 2025 Jan 13;18(1):6 (IF=29.9)
Glaviano A, Wander SA, Baird RD, Yap KC, Lam HY, Toi M, Carbone D, Geoerger B, Serra V, Jones RH, Ngeow J, Toska E, Stebbing J, Crasta K, Finn RS, Diana P, Vuina K, de Bruin RAM, Surana U, Bardia A, Kumar AP. Mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer treatment. Drug Resist Updat. 2024 Jun 25;76:101103. (IF=15.8)
Glaviano A, Foo ASC, Lam HY, Yap KCH, Jacot W, Jones RH, Eng H, Nair MG, Makvandi P, Geoerger B, Kulke MH, Baird RD, Prabhu JS, Carbone D, Pecoraro C, Teh DBL, Sethi G, Cavalieri V, Lin KH, Javidi-Sharifi NR, Toska E, Davids MS, Brown JR, Diana P, Stebbing J, Fruman DA, Kumar AP. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling transduction pathway and targeted therapies in cancer. Mol Cancer. 2023 Aug 18;22(1):138. (IF=27.7)
Ang HL, Mohan CD, Shanmugam MK, Leong HC, Makvandi P, Rangappa KS, Bishayee A, Kumar AP*, Sethi G*. Mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer and its regulation by natural compounds. Med Res Rev. 2023 Mar 17. *co-senior authors (IF=12.388
Paskeh MDA, Entezari M, Mirzaei S, Zabolian A, Saleki H, Naghdi MJ, Sabet S, Khoshbakht MA, Hashemi M, Hushmandi K, Sethi G, Zarrabi A, Kumar AP, Tan SC, Papadakis M, Alexiou A, Islam MA, Mostafavi E, Ashrafizadeh M. Emerging role of exosomes in cancer progression and tumor microenvironment remodeling. J Hematol Oncol. 2022 Jun 28;15(1):83. (IF= 29.9)
Cui J, Yuan Y, Shanmugam MK, Anbalagan D, Tan TZ, Sethi G, Kumar AP*, Lim LHK*. MicroRNA-196a promotes renal cancer cell migration and invasion by targeting BRAM1 to regulate SMAD and MAPK signaling pathways. Int J Biol Sci. 2021 Oct 17;17(15):4254-4270. *co-senior authors (IF=10.750)
Mansoori-Kermani A, Khalighi S, Akbarzadeh I, Niavol FR, Motasadizadeh H, Mahdieh A, Jahed V, Abdinezhad M, Rahbariasr N, Hosseini M, Ahmadkhani N, Panahi B, Fatahi Y, Mozafari M, Kumar AP*, Mostafavi E*. Engineered hyaluronic acid-decorated niosomal nanoparticles for controlled and targeted delivery of epirubicin to treat breast cancer. Mater Today Bio. 2022 Jul 6;16:100349. *co-senior authors (IF=10.761)

PEH Hong Yong

Research Assistant Professor

hypeh@nus.edu.sg

Dr Hong Yong PEH
Research Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator
BSc (Hons), PhD
Office:
CeLS, Level 3, #03-06-K
Research Area Keywords:
Pro-resolving lipid mediators; resolution of inflammation; innate immunity; efferocytosis; granulocyte trafficking; respiratory diseases; maternal/offspring; targeted lipidomics; immunopharmacology

hypeh@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Resolution of inflammation by specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
SPMs and eicosanoids profiling using LC-MS/MS
Respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD
Inflammatory diseases or inflammaging
Drug discovery and host innate immunity

Selected Publications

Peh HY# and Chen J. (2024) Pro-resolving lipid mediators and therapeutic innovations in resolution of inflammation. 265: 108753.
Peh HY, Nshimiyimana R, Bruggemann TR, Duvall MG, Nijmeh J, et al. (2024) 15-epi-lipoxin A5 promotes neutrophil exit from exudates for clearance by splenic macrophages. FASEB. 38: e23807.
Peh HY*, Bruggemann TR*, Duvall MG, Nshimiyimana R, Nijmeh J, et al. (2023) Resolvin D2 regulates type 2 inflammatory responses and promotes resolution of mouse allergic inflammation. Allergy. 79:739-743.
Bruggemann TR*, Peh HY*, Tavares LP, Nijmeh, J, Shay AE, et al. (2023) Eosinophil phenotypes are functionally regulated by resolvin D2 during allergic lung inflammation. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 69:666-677.
Lam TYW, Nguyen Y, Peh HY, Shanmugasundaram M, et al. (2022) ISM1 protects lung homeostasis via cell-surface GRP78-mediated alveolar macrophage apoptosis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119: e2019161119.
Tavares LP*, Peh HY*, Tan WSD, Pahima H, Maffia P, et al. (2020) Granulocyte-targeted therapies for airway diseases. Pharmacological Research. 104881.
Peh HY, Tan WSD, Chan TK, Pow CW, Foster PS, et al. (2017) Vitamin E isoform γ-tocotrienol protects against emphysema in cigarette smoke-induced COPD. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 110:332-344.
Peh HY, Tan WSD, Liao WP and Wong WS. (2016) Vitamin E therapy beyond cancer: tocopherol versus tocotrienol. Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 162:152-169.
Peh HY, Ho WE, Chan TK, Seow ACG, Cheng C, et al. (2015) Vitamin E isoform γ-Tocotrienol down regulates house dust mite-induced asthma. Journal of Immunology. 195: 437-444. [Cover article]
Ho WE, Peh HY, Chan TK and Wong WS. (2014) Artemisinins: pharmacological actions beyond anti-malarial. Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 142:126-139.

* co-first author; # corresponding author

Senior Lecturers

Mitchell LAI Kim Peng

Senior Lecturer

phclkpm@nus.edu.sg
mitchell_lai@nus.edu.sg

Dr Kim Peng, Mitchell LAI
Senior Lecturer
PhD
Office:
MD6, Level 9, Unit 09-01
Research Area Keywords:
Dementia, Biomarkers, Neurochemistry, Neurotransmission, Neuroinflammation

phclkpm@nus.edu.sg

mitchell_lai@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Dementia neurochemistry and biomarkers
Pathogenic mechanisms in neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular disease
Bioactive compounds as potential anti-neuroinflammatory therapeutics

Selected Publications

Yang Y, Torta F, Wenk M, Arai K, Herr DR, Wong PT, Lai MK (2016) Sphingosine kinase inhibition ameliorates chronic hypoperfusion-induced white matter lesions. Neurochemistry International In Press.
Wong SY, Tan MG, Banks WA, Wong WS, Wong PT, Lai MK (2016) Andrographolide attenuates LPS-stimulated upregulation of C-C and C-X-C motif chemokines in rodent cortex and primary astrocytes. Journal of Neuroinflammation 13:34.
Lee C, Low CY, Francis PT, Attems J, Wong PT, Lai MK, Tan MG (2016) An isoform specific role of FynT tyrosine kinase in Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Neurochemistry 136:637-650.
Lee JH, Koh SQ, Guadagna S, Francis PT, Esiri MM, Chen CP, Wong PT, Dawe GS, Lai MK (2016) Altered relaxin family receptors-RXFP1 and RXFP3 in the neocortex of depressed Alzheimer’s disease patients. Psychopharmacology 233:591-598.
Chan SJ, Lim TW, Chai C, Yamamoto M, Lo EH, Lai MK, Wong PT (2015) Cystathionine β-synthase inhibition is a potential therapeutic approach to treatment of ischemic injury. ASN Neuro 7(2) pii: 1759091415578711.
Mohamed NE, Lee JH, Francis PT, Esiri MM, Chen CP, Lai MK (2015) Differential alterations of neocortical GluN receptor subunits in patients with mixed subcortical ischemic vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Alzheimers Disease 44:431-437.
Hilal S, Chai YL, Ikram MK, Elangovan S, Tan BY, Xu X, Chong JY, Venketasubramanian N, Richards AM, Chong JP, Lai MK, Chen C (2015) Markers of cardiac dysfunction in cognitive impairment and dementia. Medicine (Baltimore) 94:e297.
Lai MK, Esiri MM, Tan MG. Genome-wide profiling of alternative splicing in Alzheimer’s disease. Genomics Data (2014) 2:290-292.
Lam SM, Wang Y, Duan X, Wenk MR, Kalaria RN, Chen CP, Lai MK, Shui GH (2014) The brain lipidomes of subcortical ischemic vascular dementia and mixed dementia. Neurobiology of Aging 35:2369-2381.
Ramírez MJ, Lai MK, Tordera RM, Francis PT (2014) Serotonergic therapies for cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease: Rationale and current status. Drugs 74:729-736.

Lab web page

http://dementia-research.org

Rajkumar RAMAMOORTHY

Senior Lecturer

rajkumar@nus.edu.sg

Dr Rajkumar RAMAMOORTHY
Senior Lecturer
PhD
Office:
MD3, Level 4, Unit 04-01J
Research Area Keywords:
Neuropsychopharmacology, Toxicology, Pharmacokinetics

rajkumar@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Management of Depression and Anxiety
Drugs of abuse
Animal Research Safety

Selected Publications

Cheng MY, Damalerio RB, Chen W, Rajkumar R, Dawe GS (2019). Ultracompact Multielectrode Array for Neurological Monitoring. Sensors 19: 2286. IF: 2.48
Rajkumar R, Dawe GS (2018). OBscure but not OBsolete: Perturbations of the frontal cortex in common between rodent olfactory bulbectomy model and major depression. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy 91: 63-100. IF: 2.16
Rajkumar R, Kumar JR, Dawe GS (2017). Priming locus coeruleus noradrenergic modulation of medial perforant path-dentate gyrus synaptic plasticity. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 138: 215-225. IF: 3.54
Ghaeminia M, Rajkumar R, Dawe GS, Koh HL, Tan CH (2017). Ginsenoside Rg1 modulates medial prefrontal cortical firing and suppresses the hippocampo- medial prefrontal cortical long-term potentiation. Journal of Ginseng Research. 42: 298- 303. IF: 4.05 [Accepted with no reviewer comments].
Kumar JR, Rajkumar R, Jayakody T, Marwari S, Hong JM, Ma S, GundlachAL, Lai MKP, Dawe GS (2017). Relaxin’ the brain: A case for targeting the nucleus incertus network and relaxin-3/RXFP3 neuropeptide/receptor systems in neuropsychiatric disorders. British Journal of Pharmacology 174: 1061-1076. IF: 5.49 [Appeared in Wiley press release 06 September 2016.]
Korpi ER, den Hollander B, Farooq U, Vashchinkina E, Rajkumar R, Nutt DJ, Hyytiä P, Dawe GS (2015). Mechanisms of action and persistent neuroplasticity by drugs of abuse. Pharmacological Reviews 67: 872-1004. IF: 18.39
Kumar JR, Rajkumar R, Lee LC, Dawe GS (2016). Nucleus incertus contributes to an anxiogenic effect of buspirone in rats: involvement of 5-HT1A receptors. Neuropharmacology 110 (Part A): 1–14. IF: 5.01 [Cover article: Advanced Targeting Systems, Targeting Trends Newsletter, 17 (4) Oct-Nov-Dec 2016, pg1,6]
Rajkumar R, You W, Farooq U, Hao TW, Dawe GS (2016). Stress activates the nucleus incertus and modulates plasticity in the hippocampo-medial prefrontal cortical pathway. Brain Research Bulletin 120: 83-89. IF: 3.03
Rajkumar R, Fam J, Yeo EYM, Dawe GS, (2015). Ketamine and suicidal ideation in depression: Jumping the gun? Pharmacological Research 99: 23-35. IF: 4.82
Rajkumar R, Mahesh R (2010). The auspicious role of 5-HT3 receptor in depression: 4 A probable neuronal target? Journal of Psychopharmacology 24: 455-469. (Corresponding author) IF: 4.06 [Classified among the 50 most-frequently read articles in J Psychopharmacol during April –July and October 2010.]

Lecturers

David FANN Yang-Wei

Lecturer

david.fann@nus.edu.sg

Dr Yang-Wei, David FANN
Lecturer
B.Sc. (Hons), PhD
Office:
MD3, Level 4
Research Area Keywords:
Education Research, Stroke, Neuroinflammation, Inflammasomes, Cell Death Pathways

david.fann@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Cardiovascular pharmacology
Pathogenic mechanisms of inflammasomes in acute (i.e. stroke) and chronic (i.e. vascular cognitive impairment) ischemic brain injury
Targeting inflammasomes in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases

Selected Publications

Rajeev V, Fann DY*, Dinh QN, Kim HA, De Silva TM, Jo DG, Drummond GR, Sobey CG, Lai MKP, Chen CLH, Arumugam TV*. (2022). Intermittent fasting attenuates hallmark vascular and neuronal pathologies in a mouse model of vascular cognitive impairment. Int J Biol Sci. 18(15): 6052-6067. *Equal Corresponding Author.
Poh L, Sim WL, Jo DG, Dinh QN, Drummond GR, Sobey CG, Chen CL, Lai MKP, Fann DY*, Arumugam TV*. (2022). The role of inflammasomes in vascular cognitive impairment. Mol Neurodegener. 17(1):4. PMID: 35000611. *Equal Corresponding Author.
Poh L, Razak SMBA, Lim HM, Lai MKP, Chen CL, Lim LHK, Arumugam TV*, Fann DY*. (2021). AIM2 inflammasome mediates apoptotic and pyroptotic death in the cerebellum following chronic hypoperfusion. Exp Neurol. 346:113856. PMID: 34474007. *Equal Corresponding Author.
Poh L, Fann DY*, Wong P, Lim HM, Foo SL, Kang SW, Rajeev V, Selvaraji S, Iyer VR, Parathy N, Khan MB, Hess DC, Jo DG, Drummond GR, Sobey CG, Lai MKP, Chen CL, Lim LHK, Arumugam TV*. (2021). AIM2 inflammasome mediates hallmark neuropathological alterations and cognitive impairment in a mouse model of vascular dementia. Mol Psychiatry. 26(8):4544-4560. doi: 10.1038/s41380-020-00971-5. Epub 2020 Dec 9. PMID: 33299135. *Equal Corresponding Author.
Fann DY, Nickles EP, Poh L, Rajeev V, Selvaraji S, Schwarz H, Arumugam TV. (2020). CD137 Ligand-CD137 Interaction is Required For Inflammasome-Associated Brain Injury Following Ischemic Stroke. Neuromolecular Med. 22(4):474-483. PMID: 33073305.
Poh L, Kang SW, Baik SH, Ng GYQ, She DT, Balaganapathy P, Dheen ST, Magnus T, Gelderblom M, Sobey CG, Koo EH,Fann DY*, Arumugam TV*. (2019). Evidence that NLRC4 inflammasome mediates apoptotic and pyroptotic microglial death following ischemic stroke. Brain Behav Immun. 75:p34-47. PMID: 30195027. *Equal Corresponding Author.
Fann DY, Lim YA, Cheng YL, Lok KZ, Chunduri P, Baik SH, Drummond GR, Dheen ST, Sobey CG, Jo DG, Chen CL, Arumugam TV. (2018). Evidence that NF-kB and MAPK Signaling Promotes NLRP Inflammasome Activation in Neurons Following Ischemic Stroke. Mol Neurobiol. 55(2):p1082-1096. PMID: 28092085.
Fann DY, Santro T, Manzanero S, Widiapradja A, Cheng YL, Lee SY, Chunduri P, Jo DG, Stranahan AM, Mattson MP, Arumugam TV. (2014). Intermittent fasting attenuates inflammasome activity in ischemic stroke. Exp Neurol. 257:p114-9. PMID: 24805069.
Fann DY, Lee SY, Manzanero S, Chunduri P, Sobey CG, Arumugam TV. (2013). Pathogenesis of acute stroke and the role of inflammasomes. Ageing Res Rev. 12(4):p941-66. PMID: 24103368.
Fann DY, Lee SY, Manzanero S, Tang SC, Gelderblom M, Chunduri P, Bernreuther C, Glatzel M, Cheng YL, Thundyil J, Widiapradja A, Lok KZ, Foo SL, Wang YC, Li YI, Drummond GR, Basta M, Magnus T, Jo DG, Mattson MP, Sobey CG, Arumugam TV. (2013). Intravenous immunoglobulin suppresses NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuronal death in ischemic stroke. Cell Death Dis. 4:e790. PMID: 24008734.

Nurulhuda MUSTAFA

Lecturer

huda.mustafa@nus.edu.sg

Dr Nurulhuda MUSTAFA
Lecturer
PhD
Office:
MD3, Level 4, #04-01
Research Area Keywords:
Cancer, Immunotherapy, Drug discovery and development, Extracellular vesicle biology, Personalised medicine

huda.mustafa@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Discovery and development of novel antibody-based therapeutics in cancer
Design and development of EZH2 Proteolysis targeting chimeras (Protacs) to overcome epigenetic dysregulation
Extracellular vesicles as cancer biomarkers and mediators of therapeutic resistance

Selected Publications

Mustafa, N., Azaman, M. I., Ng, G. G. K., & Chng, W. J. (2022). Molecular Determinants Underlying the Anti-Cancer Efficacy of CD38 Monoclonal Antibodies in Hematological Malignancies. Biomolecules, 12(9).
Mustafa, N., Nee, A. H. F., Chooi, J. Y., Toh, S. H. M., Chung, T. -H., Selvarajan, V., Chng, W. J. (2021). Determinants of response to daratumumab in Epstein-Barr virus-positive natural killer and T-cell lymphoma. Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer, 9(7).
Soumyanarayanan U, Ramanujulu PM, Mustafa N, Haider S, Fang Nee AH, Tong JX, Tan KSW, Chng WJ, Dymock BW (2019). Discovery of a potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) 3/6 selective dual inhibitor. Eur J Med Chem. 15; 184:111755.
Li B, Yan J, Phyu T, Fan S, Chung TH, Mustafa N, Lin B, Wang L, Eichhorn PJA, Goh BC, Ng SB, Kappei D, Chng WJ. (2019) MELK mediates the stability of EZH2 through site-specific phosphorylation in extranodal natural killer/ T-cell lymphoma Blood 134(23):2046-2058.
Shanmugam MK; Ahn KS; Lee JH; Kannaiyan R; Mustafa N; Manu KA; Siveen KS; Sethi G; Chng WJ; Kumar AP (2018) Celastrol Attenuates the Invasion and Migration and Augments the Anticancer Effects of Bortezomib in a Xenograft Mouse Model of Multiple Myeloma. Frontiers in Pharmacology Vol. 9.
Yao L; Mustafa N; Tan EC; Poulsen A; Singh P; Minh-Dao D-T; Lee JXT; Ramanujulu PM; Chng WJ; Yen JJY (2017) Design and Synthesis of Ligand Efficient Dual Inhibitors of Janus Kinase (JAK) and Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Based on Ruxolitinib and Vorinostat. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Vol. 60 (20) pp. 8336 – 8357.
Mustafa N; Lee JXT; Nee HFA; Bi C; Chung T-H; Hart S; Chng WJ (2017) VS-5584 mediates potent anti-myeloma activity via the upregulation of a class II tumor suppressor gene, RARRES3 and the activation of Bim Oncotarget Vol. 8 (60) pp. 101847 – 101864.
*Mustafa N, *Yang EG; Tan EC; Poulsen A; Ramanujulu PM; Chng WJ; Yen JJY; Dymock BW (2016) Design and Synthesis of Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) and Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Bispecific Inhibitors Based on Pacritinib and Evidence of Dual Pathway Inhibition in Hematological Cell Lines Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Vol. 59 (18) pp. 8233 - 8262
Xie Z; Bi C; Chooi JY; Chan ZL; Mustafa N; Chng WJ (2015) MMSET regulates expression of IRF4 in t(4;14) myeloma and its silencing potentiates the effect of bortezomib Leukemia Vol. 29 (12) pp. 2347 – 2354.
Hart S, Novotny-Diermayr V, Goh KC, … Chng WJ, Mustafa N, Goh BC, Benes C, McDermott U, Garnett M, Dymock B, Wood JM (2013). VS-5584, a novel and highly selective PI3K/mTOR kinase inhibitor for the treatment of cancer. Mol Cancer Therapeutics. Feb;12(2):151-61.

Priya PARANTHAMAN

Lecturer

drpriya1@nus.edu.sg

Tutors and Instructor

Neelima GUPTA

Instructor

neel@nus.edu.sg

Dr Neelima GUPTA
Instructor
PhD; MSc (Biotechnology)
Office:
MD3, Level4, Room #04-01
Research Area Keywords: -

neel@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests (Discipline)

NeuroEpigenetics – with a focus on microglial function in ischemic stroke and glioma, as well as the epigenetic regulation of learning and memory
Cancer Epigenetics (Rhabdomyosarcoma)
Pharmacogenomics

Research Interests (Education)

Memory and Retention- Active recall and Spaced Repetiton
Game-based Learning
Concept Mapping

Selected Publications

Kumar J, Haldar S, Gupta N, Kumar V, Thakur M, Chandradoss KR, Ghose D, Dutta D, Sandhu KS, Singh J. “Swi6/HP1 binding to RNA-DNA hybrids initiates heterochromatin assembly at the centromeric dg-dh repeats in Fission Yeast”. eLife, Chromosomes and Gene Expression Genetics and Genomics, 2024.
Inthrani Raja Indran, Priya Paranthaman, Neelima Gupta & Nurulhuda Mustafa, “Twelve tips to leverage AI for efficient and effective medical question generation: A guide for educators using Chat GPT”. Medical Teacher, 2023.
Alamelu Nachiyappan, Neelima Gupta, and Reshma Taneja, “EHMT1/EHMT2 in EMT, Cancer Stemness and Drug Resistance: Emerging Evidence and Mechanisms”. FEBS Journal, 2021.
Neelima Gupta, Shweta Jadhav, Tan Kai Leng, Genevieve Saw, Karthik Mallilankaraman and S. Thameem Dheen. “MiR-142-3p epigenetically regulates BDNF in activated microglia through modulation of its target Camk2a”. Frontiers of Cellular Neuroscience, 2020.
Neelima Gupta and S. Thameem Dheen, “A paradigm shift: emerging roles of microglia, a non-neuronal cell, in learning and memory”. Neural Regeneration Research, 2020.
Genevieve S, Neelima, Gupta, Soong TW, Mallilankaraman K, Sajikumar S and Dheen ST, “Epigenetic regulation of microglial phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway involved in long-term potentiation and synaptic plasticity in rats”. Glia, 2019.
Neelima Gupta, Sukanya Shyamasundar, Radhika Patnala, Thiruma V Arumugam, Eng -Ang Ling1, S Thameem Dheen, “Recent progress in therapeutic strategies for microglial-mediated neuroinflammation in neuropathologies”. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic targets, 2018.
Aparna Karthikeyan, Neelima Gupta, Shi Meng, Lu Lei, Carol Tang, Beng Ti Ang, Karthik Mallilankaraman, Eng-Ang Ling, S. Thameem Dheen, “Microglial SMAD4 regulated by microRNA-146a promotes migration of microglia which support tumor progression in a glioma environment”. Oncotarget, 2018.
Rajib Basak, Fan Liu, Sarfraz Qureshi, Neelima Gupta, Ce Zhang, Renko de Vries, Jeroen A. van Kan, S. Thameem Dheen, and Johan R.C. van der Maarel, “Linearisation of single-stranded DNA for optical sequence analysis”. Nucleic Acids Research, 2018.
Radhika Patnala, Arumugam TV, Neelima Gupta, Dheen ST., HDAC Inhibitor Sodium Butyrate-Mediated Epigenetic Regulation Enhances Neuroprotective Function of Microglia During Ischemic Stroke. Molecular Neurobiology, 2016.

WANG Ziteng

Instructor

ziteng@nus.edu.sg

Joint Staff

Guillermo C. BAZAN

Professor

chmbgc@nus.edu.sg

John CLIMAX

Honorary Professor

phajc@nus.edu.sg

GOH Boon Cher

Professor

csigbc@nus.edu.sg

Dean HO

Professor

biedh@nus.edu.sg

Prof. Dean HO
Professor
Provost’s Chair Professor
Office:
MD6, Level 14
Research Area Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Personalized Medicine, Digital Medicine, Combination Therapy, Nanodiamonds, Drug Delivery, Imaging

biedh@nus.edu.sg

Research Interests

Prof. Dean Ho’s research interests include the application of Augmented Artificial Intelligence (AI) to individualize and optimize combination therapy for a broad range of indications ranging from oncology to infectious diseases. In addition, he has developed novel nanocarbon-based drug delivery and imaging agents. He has led multiple clinical studies for both the Augmented AI and nanocarbon platforms.

Selected Publications

D.K. Lee, T. Kee, Z. Liang, D. Hsiou, D. Miya, B. Wu, E. Osawa, E.K. Chow, E. Sung, M. Kang, and D. Ho, Clinical Validation of a Nanodiamond-Embedded Thermoplastic Biomaterial, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 114 (45), E9445-E9454, 2017.
C. Hong, D. Song, D.K. Lee, L. Lin, H.C. Pan, D. Lee, P. Deng, Z. Liu, D. Hadaya, A. Mohammad, X. Zhang, M. Lee, C.Y. Wang, and D. Ho, Reducing Post-Treatment Relapse in Cleft Lip Palatal Expansion Using an Injectable Estrogen-Nanodiamond Hydrogel, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 114(35), E7218-E7225, 2017.
A. Zarrinpar, D.-K. Lee, A. Silva, N. Datta, T. Kee, C. Eriksen, K. Weigle, V. Agopian, F. Kaldas,D. Farmer, S.E. Wang, R. Busuttil, C.-M. Ho, and D. Ho, Individualizing liver transplant immunosuppression using a phenotypic personalized medicine platform. Science Translational Medicine 2016, 8 (333), 333ra49-333ra49. Cover Article.
Dean Ho, Katherine Chung-Huei Wang, and Edward Chow, Nanodiamonds: The Intersection of Nanotechnology, Drug Development, and Personalized Medicine, Science Advances, e1500439, 2015.
Hann Wang, Dong-Keun Lee, Kai-Yu Chen, Jing-Yao Chen, Kangyi Zhang, Aleidy Silva, Chih-Ming Ho, and Dean Ho, Mechanism-Independent Optimization of Combinatorial Nanodiamond and Unmodified Drug Delivery Using a Phenotypically Driven Platform Technology, ACS Nano, 9 (3), 3332-3344, 2015.
E.K. Chow and D. Ho “Cancer Nanomedicine: From Drug Delivery to Imaging,” Science Translational Medicine, 2013, 5, 216rv4. Cover Article
L. Moore, E.K.-H.Chow, E. Osawa, J.M. Bishop, and D. Ho, Diamond-Lipid Hybrids Enhance Chemotherapeutic Tolerance and Mediate Tumor Regression. Advanced Materials, 25(26), 3532-3541, 2013. Cover Article
E. K. Chow, X.-Q. Zhang, M. Chen, R. Lam, E. Robinson, H. Huang, D. Schaffer, E. Osawa, A. Goga, and D. Ho, Nanodiamond therapeutic delivery agents mediate enhanced chemoresistant tumor treatment. Science Translational Medicine 3, 73ra21, 2011. Cover Article
V. Mochalin, O. Shenderova, D. Ho, Y. Gogotsi, “The Properties and Applications of Nanodiamonds,” Nature Nanotechnology, 7, 11-23, 2011.
H. Huang, E. Pierstorff, E. Osawa, and D. Ho “Active Nanodiamond Hydrogels for Chemotherapeutic Delivery”, Nano Letters, 7, 3305-3314, 2007.

Philip Keith MOORE

Professor

phcmpk@nus.edu.sg

Prof. Philip Keith MOORE
Professor
B.Sc. Pharm (Hons), PhD
Office:
-
Research Area Keywords:
-

Research Interests

An investigation of the effect of H2S on atherosclerosis:
We have previously reported that H2S exhibits potent vasodilator and anti-inflammatory activity suggesting that this novel gas may play a part in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology. This project seeks to determine whether a deficiency of vasculoprotective H2S may precipitate atherosclerotic disease. Experiments will be carried out in ApoE-/- atherosclerotic mice and combined with investigation of blood vessels obtained from human volunteers collected, after informed consent, during coronary artery surgery. The project centres upon an integrative approach involving studies both in animals and in cell culture.
A study of the biological effects of novel H2S donor drugs:
A number of projects are currently under way to determine the biological effects of a range of novel H2S donor agents in inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Possible target for these drugs which are currently being studied include lipopolysaccharide-evoked septic shock and adjuvant-induced knee joint arthritis. A range of techniques including cell culture and associated biochemical and molecular biological characterisation as well as studies in intact animals are ongoing.

Selected Publications

Li, L., Bhatia, M. Zhu, Y.Z., Zhu, Y.C., Ramnath, R.D., Wang, Z.J., Anaur, F., Whiteman, M., Salto-Tellez, M. & Moore, P.K. (2005). Hydrogen sulfide is a novel mediator of endotoxic shock. FASEB J., 19, 1196-1198.
Bhatia, M., Sidhapuriwala, J., Moochhala, S.M. & Moore, P.K. (2005).Hydrogen sulphide is a mediator of carrageenan-induced hindpaw oedema in the rat. Br. J. Pharmacol., 145, 141-144.
Rose, P., Moore, P.K., Shen, H.M., Ong, C.N. & Whiteman, M. (2005). Hydrogen sulfide protects colon cancer cells from chemopreventative agent b-phenylethyl isothiocyanate-induced apoptosis. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 11, 3990-3997.
Rose, P., Whiteman, M., Armstrong, J.S., Moore, P.K. & Zhu, Y.Z. (2005). Bioactive S-alk(en)yl cysteine sulfoxides metabolites in the genus Allium: The Chemistry of potential therapeutic agents. Natural Products Report, 22, 351-368.
Lee, S.W., Hu, Y.S., Lu,Q., Moore, P.K., Wong, P.T. & Bian, J.S. (2005). Hydrogen sulphide regulates calcium homeostasis in BV-2 microglial cells. Glia, 54, 116-124.
Cao, Y., Adhikari, S., Moore, P.K. & Bhatia M. (2005). Mechanism of Induction of Pancreatic Acinar Cell Apoptosis by Hydrogen Sulfide. Am. J. Physiol., 291, 503-510.
Huang, J., Moochhala, S.M., Moore, P.K. & Bhatia, M. (2005). Flurbiprofen and HCT1026 protect mice against acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury. Shock, 24, 182-187.
Yusuf, M., Tan, B.T.H., Hsu, A., Bhatia, M. & Moore, P.K. (2005). Experimentally induced type 1 diabetes is associated with impaired hydrogen sulfide biosynthesis. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 333, 1146-1152.
Collin, M., Anuar, F., Murch, O., Bhatia, M. & Moore, P.K. (2005). Inhibition of endogenous hydrogen sulfide formation reduces the organ injury caused by endotoxemia. Br. J. Pharmacol., 146, 498-505.
Chua, Y.L., Zhang, D., Boelsterli, U., Moore, P.K., Whiteman, M. & Armstrong, J.S. (2005). Oltipraz-induced phase 2 enzyme response conserved in cells lacking mitochondrial DNA. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 337, 375-81.

Saima HILAL

Assistant Professor

ephhsa@nus.edu.sg

WONG Peiyan

Assistant Professor

wong_peiyan@nus.edu.sg

KOH Cho Yeow

Research Assistant Professor

choyeow@nus.edu.sg

WANG Lingzhi

Research Associate Professor

phcwl@nus.edu.sg

Lucas LIM Jun Hao

Senior Lecturer

lucaslim@partner.nus.edu.sg

John MOK

Senior Lecturer

john_mok@nuhs.edu.sg

Visiting Staff

Jerold CHUN

Professor

jchun@sbpdiscovery.org

Prof. Jerold CHUN
Professor

Office:
-
Research Area Keywords:
Brain development, neurodegenerative disease, genomic recombination, genomic mosaicism, lysophospholipid receptors, neuroscience drug discovery

Research Interests

Understanding how the brain works and creating meaningful therapies to treat brain diseases is the goal of my research. Many lessons can be gained from an understanding of how the brain is impacted by the immune system and inflammation, an approach that we have been pursuing for over 25 years and has led to new insights that include components of V(D)J recombination genes in the brain, analogous DNA fragmentation and cell death, and identification of key lysophospholipid receptors shown to be involved in lymphocyte trafficking. This basic research has contributed to the development of genuine therapeutics for the inflammatory neuroimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, and involves direct CNS effects, as well as immunological effects, in multiple sclerosis models

Selected Publications

Lummis NC, Sánchez-Pavón P, Kennedy G, Frantz AJ, Kihara Y, Blaho VA, Chun J. LPA1/3 overactivation induces neonatal posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus through ependymal loss and ciliary dysfunction. Sci Adv. 2019 Oct 9;5(10):eaax2011.
Lee MH, Siddoway B, Kaeser GE, Segota I, Rivera R, Romanow WJ, Liu CS, Park C, Kennedy G, Long T, Chun J. Somatic APP gene recombination in Alzheimer's disease and normal neurons. Nature. 2018 Nov;563(7733):639-645.
Lake BB, Ai R, Kaeser GE, Salathia NS, Yung YC, Liu R, Wildberg A, Gao D, Fung H-L, Chen S, Vijayaraghavan R, Wong J, Chen C, Sheng X, Kaper F, Shen R, Ronaghi M, Fan J-B, *Wang W, *Chun J, *Zhang K. Neuronal subtypes and diversity revealed by single-nucleus RNA sequencing of the human brain. Science 2016;352(6293):1586-1590. *Co-senior authors.
Bushman DM, Kaeser GE, Siddoway B, Westra JW, Rivera RR, Rehen SK, Yung YC, Chun J. Genomic mosaicism with increased amyloid precursor protein (APP) copy number in single neurons from sporadic Alzheimer’s disease brains. eLife 2015;4:e05116.
Peterson SE, Yang AH, Bushman DM, Westra JW, Yung YC, Barral S, Mutoh T, Rehen SK, Chun J. Aneuploid cells are differentially susceptible to caspase-mediated death during embryonic cerebral cortical development. J Neurosci 2012;32(46):16213-16222.
Choi JW, Gardell SE, Herr DR, Rivera R, Lee CW, Noguchi K, Teo ST, Yung YC, Lu M, Kennedy G, Chun J. FTY720 (fingolimod) efficacy in an animal model of multiple sclerosis requires astrocyte sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1P1) modulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2011;108(2):751-756.
Herr KJ, Herr DR, Lee CW, Noguchi K, Chun J. Stereotyped fetal brain disorganization is induced by hypoxia and requires lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2011;108(37):15444-15449.
Ye X, Hama K, Contos JJ, Anliker B, Inoue A, Skinner MK, Suzuki H, Amano T, Arai H, Aoki J, Chun J. LPA3-mediated lysophosphatidic acid signalling in embryo implantation and spacing. Nature 2005;435:104-108.
Hecht JH, Weiner JA, Post SR, Chun J. Ventricular zone gene -1 (Vzg-1) encodes a lysophosphatidic acid receptor expressed in neurogenic regions of the developing cerebral cortex. J Cell Biol 1996;135:1071-1083.
Chun JJM, Schatz DG, Oettinger MA, Jaenisch R, Baltimore D. The recombination activating gene- 1 (RAG-1) transcript is present in the murine central nervous system. Cell 1991;64:189-200.