Kent K.S. Tsang  (曾金時)

BSc, MPhil, PhD, FIBMS(UK), FACBS(Aus)

I am the scientist in charge of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Laboratory, Prince of Wales Hospital and an adjunct associate professor of the Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Having exposed myself to the fast expanding specialty of haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation since the late 80's, I strive for the technological advances in the collection, preservation, ex-vivo manipulation and immuno-modulation of HSC grafts for transplant and adoptive cellular immunotherapy, not to mention the pursuance of quality HSCs from other non-marrow sources. Research outputs generated from our Institute have been translated to clinical practices especially on the mobilization, selection and expansion of HSC products, modulation and depletion of immunocytes in allografts and tumour cell purging of autografts.

My current research focuses on the stem cell plasticity and the attributes of micro-environment on the induction of embryonic and adult stem cells to neural and haemic lineages. The studies will provide insights into the establishment of trophic niches that can facilitate the differentiation of embryonic and adult stem cells into cells of interest, from bench to bedside, for treatment of disorders and diseases pertaining to degeneration or cell loss.

On-going projects are: 1) analysis of micro-environment on the cell fate of embryonic and adult stem cells, 2) inducing strategy of embryonic stem cells to neural and haemic lineage cells, 3) cell therapy for stroke, and 4) adoptive cellular immunotherapy.

Selected publications from the group:

Yang T, Tsang KS, Poon WS, Ng HK. Neurotrophism of bone marrow stromal cells to embryonic stem cells: non-contact induction and transplantation to a mouse ischemic stroke model. Cell Transplant 2009;18:391-404.

Li G, Zhang XA, Wang H, Wang X, Meng CL, Chan CY, Yew DT, Tsang KS, Li K, Tsai SN, Ngai SM, Han ZC, Lin MC, He ML, Kung HF. Comparative proteomic analysis of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human bone marrow, umbilical cord, and placenta: Implication in the migration. Proteomics 2009;9:20-30.

Zhang H, Wei YT, Tsang KS, Sun CR, Li J, Huang H, Cui FZ, An YH. Implantation of neural stem cells embedded in hyaluronic acid and collagen composite conduit promotes regeneration in a rabbit facial nerve injury model. J Transl Med 2008;6:67.

Li K, Ooi VE, Chuen CK, Lam AC, Ooi LS, Zhang XB, Tsang KS, Chiu LC, Chan KY, Li CK, Fok TF, Yuen PM, Ng PC. The plant mannose-binding lectin NTL preserves cord blood haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in long-term culture and enhances their ex vivo expansion. Br J Haematol 2008;140:90-98.

Fong SP, Tsang KS, Chan AB, Lu G, Poon WS, Li K, Baum LW, Ng HK. Trophism of neural progenitor cells to embryonic stem cells: neural induction and transplantation in a mouse ischemic stroke model. J Neurosci Res 2007;85:1851-1862.

Liao C, Wu JY, Xu ZP, Li Y, Yang X, Chen JS, Tang XW, Gu SL, Huang YN, Tang HH, Tsang KS. Indiscernible benefit of high-resolution HLA typing in improving long-term clinical outcome of unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant. Bone Marrow Transplant 2007;40:201-208.

Li K, Lee SM, Su RJ, Zhang XB, Yuen PM, Li CK, Yang M, Tsang KS, James AE, Tse YH, Ng LY, Fok TF. Multipotent neural precursors express neural and hematopoietic factors, and enhance ex vivo expansion of cord blood CD34+ cells, colony forming units and NOD/SCID-repopulating cells in contact and noncontact cultures. Leukemia 2005;19:91-97.

Tsang KS , Li CK, Lau TT, Wong AP, Leung Y, Ng MH. Translocation (11;13)(q23;q14) as the sole abnormality in a childhood de novo acute myelocytic leukemia. Cancer Genet Cytogenet 2004;150:78-80.

Liu KZ, Tsang KS, Li CK, Shaw RA, Mantsch HH. Infrared spectroscopic identification of beta-thalassemia. Clin Chem 2003;49:1125-1132.

Tsang KS, Li CK, Tsoi WC, Leung Y, Shing MMK, Chik KW, Lee V, Ng MHL, Yuen PMP. Detection of micrometastasis of neuroblastoma to bone marrow and tumor dissemination to hematopoietic autografts using flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Cancer 2003;97:2887-2897.

Tsang KS , Wong AP, Cheung MS, Tang SH, Leung Y, Li CK, Lau TT, Ng MH, Yuen PM. Implication of maternal cell contamination in the clinical banking of umbilical cord blood. Cytotherapy 2002;4:375-383.

Tsang KS, Li CK, Chik KW, Shing MM, Tsoi WC, Ng MH, Lau TT, Leung Y, Yuen PM. TEL/AML1 rearrangement and the prognostic significance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Hong Kong. Am J Hematol 2001;68:91-98.

Please also see my recent publications at PubMed

E-mail : tsangks@cuhk.edu.hk