Office of Education Development and Gateway Education  ·  Staff List

Prof Shuk Han CHENG

Director

Professor (Department of Biology and Chemistry)

Prof. Cheng

Contact Information

Office: FW-401
Phone: +(852)- 3442 6722
Fax: +(852)- 2628-2741
Email: bhcheng@cityu.edu.hk
Web: http://www6.cityu.edu.hk/
chenglab/
chenglab_home.html

S. Han Cheng received her BSc (Hons) from the University of Hong Kong, majoring in Zoology. She received her PhD from the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, which is now part of the Imperial College, University of London. Her PhD work was on the cellular immune response of BCG vaccination, under the supervision of Prof. Denny Mitchison in the Department of Bacteriology, Hammersmith Hospital. She did postdoctoral training under the supervision of Prof. Tak Mak on molecular immune response of T cells, at the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto. Before joining CityU in 1997, she worked in the Departments of Paediatrics, and Orthopaedics and Traumatology, at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

She has won many innovation awards at international exhibitions, including the Gold Medal at the 35th International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products of Geneva in 2007 and 2 gold awards from the Korean International Women's invention Expositions in 2009 and 2010. She has published over 70 peer-reviewed research articles and some of them are among the Top 25 Hottest Articles in the Science Direct database. To date she has supervised 20 graduate students, with 5 awarded PhD and 7 awarded MPhil. She is a member of the Editorial Boards of the journal Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine and the journal Developmental Dynamics. She is an overseas Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (London). She also serves on the Board of Directors of Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited (NAMI) in Hong Kong.

She takes great interest in teaching and mentoring undergrad students. She teaches the BSc courses "Developmental and Regenerative Biology" and "Infection and Immunity", as well as the Foundation year course "Life Sciences". She also teaches undergrad courses "Engineers in Society" and "Technology: Past, Present and Future" to non-Biology major undergrad students. She also coaches non-Biology major students on using biotechnology in business plans for entrepreneur competitions.

Expertise

Nature or nurture: molecular and chemical regulation of vertebrate embryonic development and adult organ regeneration.

The primary focus of the Cheng lab is to investigate how molecules and chemicals interact in regulating the fascinating processes of embryonic development and adult organ regeneration.  Specifically, we investigate the functions of a family of transcription factors, encoded by the Iroquois homeobox genes, in patterning and specifying the development and functions of the heart and retina.  Using the transparent zebrafish embryos as our model organism, we develop computational tools to augment and quantify bio-imaging data of gene expression domains and biodistribution of novel chemicals and nanomedicine.  We also adapt the Electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure electric conductance and charges in the 2 mm long zebrafish embryos. Our unique capacity to combine bio-imaging and electrophysiology enables us to correlate different parameters of the cardiovascular anatomy and physiology to altered gene expression or to exposure to chemicals, such as toxicants and drugs.  Expanding from this set of tools, we are synthesizing and testing nanomedicine which can over come cancer drug resistance or exert anti-angiogenic actions.  The zebrafish is also an amazing model of adult heart regeneration.  We are currently using an interdisciplinary approach to extend this animal model for the development of novel cell- or nanomaterial-based therapeutics applicable for regenerative medicine.  In collaboration with chemist, robotics engineer and nanomaterial scientist, we useemerging technologies to harvest and modify regenerating heart cells.  Our long-term goal is to translate the zebrafish work back to mammals and contribute to the understanding and achievement of organ regeneration. 

Publications

  • *Kwok K.W.H., Leung K.M.Y., Flahaut E., Cheng J.. Cheng S.H. (2010). Chronic toxicity of double-walled carbon nanotubes to three marine organisms: influence of different dispersion of method.  Nanomedicine (In press).
  • Wei X., Ching L.Y., Cheng S.H., Wong M.H., *Wong C.K.C. (2010). The Detection of Dioxin- and Estrogen-like Pollutants in Marine and Freshwater Fishes Cultivated in Pearl River Delta, China.  Environmental Pollution (In Press).
  • Choi V.W.Y., Lam R.K.K., Chong E.Y.W., Cheng S.H., *Yu K.N. (2009). Designing experimental setup and procedures for studying alpha-particle-induced adaptive response in zebrafish embryos in vivo.  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B (In press).
  • Xie Y., *Sun D., Liu C., Tse H.Y., and Cheng S.H., (2009). A force control approach to a robot-assisted cell microinjection system. International Journal of Robotics Research (In press).
  • Alex, D., Leong E.C., Yan G.T.H., Cheng S.H., Leong C.-W., Li Z.-H., Lam K.H., *Lee S.M.Y. (2009). Resveratrol derivative, trans-3,5,4’-trimethoxy stilbene, exerts anti-angiogenic and vascular disrupting effects in zebrafish through the down-regulation of VEGFR-2 and cell cycle modulation.  Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (In press).
  • Ng C.K.M., Cheng J., Cheng S.H., *Yu K.N. (2009). Convenient fabrication of three-dimensional cell-culture substrates through introduction of micrometer-size pores on polyallyldiglycol carbonate polymer films. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A (In press).
  • Yum E.H.W., Choi V.W.Y., Nikezic D., Li V.W.T., Cheng S.H., *Yu K.N. (2009). Alpha-particle-induced bystander effects between zebrafish embryos in vivo. Radiation Measurements (In press).
  • Yum E.H.W., Li V.W.T, Choi V.W.Y., Cheng S.H., *Yu K.N. (2009). Effects ofalpha particles on zebrafish embryos.Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B (In press).
  • Huang H., *Sun D., Mills J.K., Li W.J., and Cheng S. H. (2009). Visual-based impedance control of out-of-plane cell injection systems. IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 6(3), 565-571.
  • So L.K.Y., Cheung S.K.C., Ma H.L., Chen X.P., Cheng S.H., *Lam Y.W. (2009). In situ labelling of transcription sites in marine Medaka. The Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry (In press).
  • Ma A.C.H., Fan A., Ward A.C., Liongue C., Lewis R.S., Cheng S.H., Chan P.K., Yip S.-F., Liang R., *Leung A.Y.H. (2009).  A novel zebrafish jak2aV581F model shared features of human Jak2V617F polycythemia vera.  Experimental Haematology (In press).
  • Steele SL, Lo KH, Li VW, Cheng SH, Ekker M, *Perry SF. (2009).  Loss of M2 muscarinic receptor function inhibits development of hypoxic bradycardia and alters cardiac β-adrenergic sensitivity in larval zebrafish Danio rerio.  Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 297(2):R412-420.
  • Huang X., Hui. M.N.Y., Liu Y., Yuen D.S.H., Zhang Y., Chan W.Y, Lin  H.R., Cheng S.H., *Cheng C.H.K. (2009). Discovery of a novel prolactin in non-mammalian vertebrates: evolutionary perspectives and its involvement in teleost retina development.  PLOS One Jul 8; 4(7):e6163.
  • Gu Y.-J., Cheng J., Lin A.C.-C., Lam Y.W., *Cheng S.H., *Wong W.-T. (2009). Nuclear Penetration of Surface Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles.  Toxicology & Applied Pharmacology 237:196-204.
  • Chan P.K., Lin C.C., *Cheng S.H. (2009).  Noninvasive technique for measurement of heartbeat regularity in zebrafish(Danio rerio) embryos.  BMC Biotechnology Feb 19; 9:11.
  • Chen X., Li L., Wong C.K.C., *Cheng S.H. (2009).   Rapid adaptation of molecular resources from zebrafish and medaka to develop an estuarine / marine model.  Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology149 (4) 647-665.
  • Huang H., Sun D.*, Mills J.K., Cheng S.H.  (2009). Robotic cell injection system with position and force control: toward automatic batch biomanipulation.  IEEE Transactions on Robotics 25(3): 727-737.
  • Cheng J., Chan C.M., Veca L.M., Poon W.L., Chan P.K., Qu L., *Sun Y.-P., *Cheng S.H. (2009).  Acute and long-term effects after single loading of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes into zebrafish (Danio rerio). Toxicology & Applied Pharmacology 235:216-225.
  • Chow E.S.H., Hui M.N.Y., Cheng C.W., *Cheng S.H. (2009).  Cadmium affects retinogenesis during zebrafish embryos development.  Toxicology & Applied Pharmacology 235: 68-76.
  • *Tse W.S., Chan C.C.S., Shiu S.Y., Chung P.Y.A., Cheng S.H. (2009).  Caffeinated coffee enhances co-operative behavior in the Mixed Motive Game in healthy volunteers.  Nutritional Neuroscience 12(1):21-27.
  • Lau J.S-Y., Lee P.K., Tsang K.H.-K., Ng C.H.-C. Lam Y.-W., Cheng S.H. *Lo K.K-W (2009). Luminescent cyclometalated Iridium (III) polypyridine indole complexes - synthesis, photophysics, electrochemistry, protein-binding properties, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake. Inorganic Chemistry 48(2):  708-718.
  • Tan Y., Sun D.*, Huang W., Cheng S.H. (2008). Mechanical modeling of biological cells in microinjection.  IEEE Transactions on NanoBioscience 7(4): 257-266.
  • Cheng J., Shiral Fernando K.A., Monica Veca L., Sun Y.P., Lamond A.I., *Lam Y.W., *Cheng S.H. (2008). Reversible accumulation of PEGylated single-walled carbon nanotubes in the mammalian nucleus.  ACS Nano 2(10):2085-2094.
  • *Levy J.L., Angel B.M., Stauber J.L., Poon W.L., Simpson S.L., Cheng S. H., Jolley D.F. (2008).  Uptake and internalisation of copper by three marine microalgae: comparison of copper-sensitive and copper-tolerant species. Aquatic Toxicology 89 (2): 82-93.
  • Ng C.K.M., Poon W.L., Li W.Y., Cheung T., Cheng S.H., *Yu K.N.  (2008). Study of substrate topographical effects on epithelial cell behavior using etched alpha-particle tracks on PADC films.  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, B 266(14): 3247-3256.
  • Tse H.Y., Li, V., Hui M.N.Y., *Chan P.K., *Cheng S.H. (2008).  Data Mining for Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacological Research.   Journal of Biomolecular Screening 13:390-395.
  • Ho C.N.Y., Li V., Poon W.W.L., *Cheng S.H. (2008) Cloning and developmental expression of kinesin superfamily7 (kif7)in the brackish medaka (Oryzias melastigma), a close relative of the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Marine Pollution Bulletin 57(6-12): 425-432.
  • Chow E.S.H., Hui M.N.Y., Lin C.C.  *Cheng S.H. (2008). Cadmium inhibits neurogenesis in zebrafish embryonic brain development. Aquatic Toxicology 87(3):157-169.
  • Kerschensteiner D., Liu H., Cheng C.W., Demas J., Cheng S.H., Hui C.-c., Chow R.L., *Wong R.O.L.  (2008). Genetic control of circuit function: Vsx1 and Irx5 transcription factors regulate contrast adaptation in the mouse retina. Journal of Neuroscience 28(10):2342-2352.
  • *Lo K.K-W., Lee T.K-M., Lau J.S-Y., Poon W-L., Cheng S.H. (2008).  Luminescent biological probes derived from Ruthenium (II) Estradiol polypyridine complexes.  Inorganic Chemistry 47(1):200-8.
  • Chen X., Li V.W.S., Yu R.M.K.  *Cheng S.H. (2008).  Choriogenin mRNA as a sensitive molecular biomarker for estrogenic chemicals in developing brackish medaka (Oryzias melastigma).  Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety71 (1): 200-208.
  • Chen, X., Kinoshita, M., Hirata, T., Yu, R.M.K., Cheng S.H. (2007).  Transgenic marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma): A sensitive sentinel for estrogenic pollutants. Molecular & Cellular Toxicology, 3(4), p 34.
  • Yum E.H.W., Ng C.K.M., Lin A.C.C., Cheng S.H., *Yu K.N.  (2007). Experimental setup for studying the effects of alpha particles on zebrafish embryos.  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research  (Section B), 264, 171-176.
  • Cheng C.W., Yan C.H.M., Choy S.W., Hui M., Hui C.C., *Cheng S. H. (2007).  Zebrafish homologue irx1a is required for the differentiation of serotonergic neurons.  Developmental Dynamics, 236(9):2661-7.
  • Chan P.K., *Cheng S.H., Poon T-C., (2007). Automated segmentation in confocal images using a density clustering method.  Journal of Electronic Imaging, 16: 043003-1 to 043003-9.
  • Lin C.C., Hui M.N.Y., *Cheng S.H.  (2007). Toxicity and cardiac effects of carbaryl in early developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 222: 159-168.
  • Cheng J., Flahaut E., *Cheng S.H.  (2007).  Effect of carbon nanotubes on developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos.Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 26:708-716.
  • Cheng S.H.  (2007).  2.3. Nature and nurture, the influence of genetic and xenobiotic factors in zebrafish embryonic development. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 148, p S8.
  • Yu R.M.K., Wong M.M.L., Kong R.Y.C., Wu R.S.S, *Cheng S.H.  (2006). Induction of hepatic choriogenin mRNA expression in male marine medaka: a highly sensitive biomarker for environmental estrogens.   Aquatic Toxicology77:348-58.
  • Yu R.M.K., Lin C.C., Chan P.K., Chow E.S.H., Murphy M.B., Chan B.P., Muller F., Strähle U., *Cheng S.H.  (2006).  Four-dimensional imaging and quantification of gene expression in early developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Toxicological Sciences 90:529-538.
  • Cheng C.W., Yan C.H.M, Hui C.-c., Strähle U, *Cheng S.H.  (2006). The homeobox gene irx1a is required for the propagation of the neurogenic waves in the zebrafish retina.   Mechanisms of Development 123:252-63.
  • Cheng C.W.,  Chow R.L., Lebel W., Sakuma R., Cheung H.O., Thanabalasingham V., Zhang, X., Bruneau B., Birch D., *Hui C-c, McInnes R.R., Cheng S.H.  (2005).  The Iroquois homeobox gene, Irx5, is required for retinal cone bipolar cell development.  Developmental Biology 287:48-60.
  • Costantini D.L., Arruda E.P., Agarwal P., Kim K.H., Zhu Y., Zhu W., Lebel M., Cheng C.W., Park C.Y., Pierce S., Guerchicoff A., Pollevick G.D., Chan T.Y., Kabir M.G., Cheng S.H., Husain M., Antzelevitch C., Srivastava D., Gross G.J., Hui C.-c., *Backx P.H., *Bruneau B.G.  (2005). The homeodomain transcription factor Irx5 establishes the mouse cardiac ventricular repolarization gradient.  Cell 123: 347-358
  • Feng J., Cheng S.H., Chan P.K., *Ip H.H. (2005). Reconstruction and representation of caudal vasculature of zebrafish embryo from confocal scanning laser fluorescence microscope image. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 35: 915-931