Dr Ko, Josephine Mun Yee 高敏儀
Dr Ko, Josephine Mun Yee 高敏儀
| Year | Awarding Institution | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | MPhil |
| 2005 | Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | PhD |
My main research interest is elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of molecular genetics and disease pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). My PhD thesis aimed to use functional complementation approaches to map tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) in ESCC by microcell-mediated chromosome transfer (MMCT). Tools in molecular biology and various in vitro and in vivo functional assays are used to characterize candidate TSGs. Currently, I am interest in the elucidation of the genetic susceptibility factors responsible for NPC and ESCC development by the identification of the deleterious germline variants in the cancer patients with the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. Defects in genes involved in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and the TERT locus at 5p15.33 are hypothesized to play an etiological role in the familial ESCC and NPC development, respectively. I am also interested in utilizing liquid biopsy and NGS analysis as tools for longitudinal monitoring of cancer progression and the molecular mechanism and clonal expansion of tumor evolution leading to disease relapse. Unravelling the genetic loci/pathways involved in these two cancer types will provide insights into novel therapeutics. Understanding the disease pathogenesis will finally aid in the early diagnosis and identify potential prognostic biomarkers have implications for disease management and improvement of survival of patients.
| Awardees | Award Date | Honours / Awards / Prizes | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-06-01 | Small Project Funding - “Study of alternative splicing of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through transcriptome analysis in Hong Kong” HK$46,327: University Research Committee | Research Achievement |
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