Nathalie WONG (王昭春)

BSc.(London), DPhil.(Oxon)

Dr. Wong's major research interest focuses on the investigation of molecular events that underlie the stepwise progression of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As a first-step towards understanding the genomic abnormalities, our group has previously employed the molecular cytogenetic techniques, Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) and Spectral Karyotyping (SKY), to the examination of genome-wide chromosomal aberrations. Based on the pattern of chromosomal aberrations determined, ongoing investigations include positional mapping for affected tumor suppressive and oncogenic genes, and functional characterization of candidate targets. In addition, we have also expanded our research capabilities by utilizing the microarray technology in the examination of gene expression patterns in HCC.

Current research topics include:

1. Deciphering aberrant chromosome loci in HCC for affected candidate genes
   

2. Profiling of gene expression patterns involved in the liver carcinogenic changes
   

3. Understanding the multi-drug resistance (MDR) mechanism in HCC
   

4. Characterizing the viral hepatitis B integrants in human HCC
   

5. Development of biomarkers for the early diagnosis and monitoring of HCC

Representative Publications from the group:

Wong QW, Lung RW, Law PT, Lai PB, Chan KY, To KF, Wong N. MicroRNA-223 is Commonly Repressed in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Potentiates Expression of Stathmin1. Gastroenterology 2008;135:257-69

Gho J, Ip WK, Chan KY, Lai PB, To KF, Wong N. Re-expression of Transcription Factor ATF5 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma induces G2/M Arrest. Cancer Research 2008 68:6743-6751

Pang EY, Bai AH, To KF, Sy SM, Wong NL, Lai PB, Squire JA, Wong N. Identification of PFTAIRE protein kinase 1, a novel cell division cycle-2 related gene, in the motile phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Hepatology 2007;46:436-45

Poon TC, Wong N, Lai PB, Rattray M, Johnson PJ, Sung JJ. A tumor progression model for hepatocellular carcinoma: bioinformatic analysis of genomic data. Gastroenterology 2006; 131:1262-70.

Wong N, Chan KY, Macgregor PF, Lai PB, Squire JA, Beheshti B, Albert M, Leung TW. Transcriptional profiling identifies gene expression changes associated with IFN-alpha tolerance in hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Clin Cancer Res. 2005; 11:1319-26.

Wong N, Chan A, Lee SW, Lam E, To KF, Lai PBS, Li XN, Liew CT, Johnson PJ. Positional Mapping for Amplified DNA Sequences on 1q21-q22 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Indicates Candidate Genes Over-expression. J Hepatology 2003;38:298-306

Pang E, Wong N, Lai PBS, To KF, Lau WY, Johnson PJ. Consistent Chromosome 10 Rearrangements in Four Newly Established Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2002;33:150-159

Wong N, Lam WC, Lai PBS, Pang E, Lau WY, Johnson PJ. Hypomethylation of chromosome 1 heterochromatin DNA correlates with q-arm copy gain in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Path 2001;159:465-471

Wong N, Lai P, Pang E, Leung TWT, Lau JWY, Johnson PJ. A Comprehensive Karyotypic Study on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Spectral Karyotyping. Hepatology 2000; 32:1060-1068

Wong N, Lai P, Pang E, Fung LF, Sheng Z, Wong V, Wang W, Hayashi Y, Perlman E, Yuna S, Lau JWY, Johnson PJ. Genomic Aberrations in Human Hepatocellular Carcinomas of Differing Etiologies. Clin Cancer Res. 2000;6:4000-4009