1A-312, 3/F, Block 1, To Yuen Building
+852 3442-4395
+852 3442-0549
kwan.chow@cityu.edu.hk
CityU Scholars
Lab Website
cancer • immunology • immunotherapy • innate immunity

Dr Chow received her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University (Durham NC, USA). After two years of research in cancer genomics at Broad Institute and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute of Harvard and MIT (Boston MA, USA), she moved to University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley CA, USA) to pursue graduate studies in Molecular and Cell Biology. Her PhD research focused on gene regulation during B lymphocyte development and malignant transformation. With a Croucher Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship and an NIH F32 National Research Service Award, Dr Chow conducted postdoctoral research at University of Washington (Seattle WA, USA) studying innate immune signaling and gene networks that regulate the anti-viral immune response. Dr Chow joined City University of Hong Kong in April 2018.
Research InterestsThe Chow lab focuses on investigating what constitute a protective immune response against cancer in order to design effective cancer immunotherapy. The lab combines concepts and techniques from biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, cancer biology, immunology, virology, genomics, cell and animal models, and systems biology to dissect the molecular pathways and gene regulatory networks that modulate the anti-cancer immune response. The ultimate goal of the lab is to develop vaccines and targeted therapies that harness the natural ability of our immune system to fight cancer.
Current research themes include:
Characterization of immune response in solid tumors
Molecular mechanisms of effective anti-cancer immune response
Design of cancer vaccines and adjuvants
More details can be found in Dr Chow’s lab website.
Training OpportunitiesWe welcome talented and motivated individuals to join our team. Interested candidates please send a resume/CV and a research statement to Dr Chow (kwan.chow@cityu.edu.hk).
PhD students who have a strong interest in biomedical research are encouraged to apply through one of the following schemes:the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (link)
PhD Programme in Biomedical Sciences (link)
Interdisciplinary PhD Programme in Veterinary Medicine (in collaboration with Cornell University) (link)
Candidates should have a strong academic record, good understanding of molecular and cell biology, relevant research experience, and high proficiency in English.
Undergraduate students who are interested in gaining lab experience are welcome to contact Dr Chow. Students pursuing degrees in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, or Biomedical Engineering who have taken introductory biology courses will be considered favorably.
Research Assistant positions for individuals interested in pursuing a career in research science or lab management are welcome to contact Dr Chow. Candidates with previous research experience in molecular biology, tissue culture, or animal models are desired.
Postdoctoral Fellow positions are available upon enquiry.
PublicationsLim KH, Dotse E, Chow KT. Immunological Detection Methods for Biomarkers. Detection Methods in Precision Medicine. 2020. Yang, M. & Thompson, M. (eds.). Royal Society of Chemistry, p. 223-252 (Detection Science Series; no. 18).
Wijanarko K, Wang M, Chow KT. Cell and Immune Therapy. Detection Methods in Precision Medicine. 2020. Yang, M. & Thompson, M. (eds.). Royal Society of Chemistry, p. 303-344 41 (Detection Science Series; no. 18).
Wang M, Lim KH, Chow KT. Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis Immunoblot Analysis of Endogenous IRF5 Dimerization. J Vis Exp. 2019 Oct 6 (152).
IRF5 regulates unique subset of genes in dendritic cells during West Nile virus infection.
Chow KT, Driscoll C, Loo YM, Knoll M, Gale M Jr.
J Leukoc Biol. 2019 Feb;105(2):411-425. doi: 10.1002/JLB.MA0318-136RRR. Epub 2018 Nov 20.
PMID: 30457675
Differential and Overlapping Immune Programs Regulated by IRF3 and IRF5 in Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells.
Chow KT, Wilkins C, Narita M, Green R, Knoll M, Loo YM, Gale M Jr.
J Immunol. 2018 Nov 15;201(10):3036-3050. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800221. Epub 2018 Oct 8.
PMID: 30297339
RIG-I and Other RNA Sensors in Antiviral Immunity.
Chow KT, Gale M Jr, Loo YM.
Annu Rev Immunol. 2018 Apr 26;36:667-694. doi: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-042617-053309.
PMID: 29677479
Interleukin-1β Signaling in Dendritic Cells Induces Antiviral Interferon Responses.
Aarreberg LD, Wilkins C, Ramos HJ, Green R, Davis MA, Chow K, Gale M Jr.
MBio. 2018 Mar 20;9(2). pii: e00342-18. doi: 10.1128/mBio.00342-18.
PMID: 29559569
SnapShot: Interferon Signaling.
Chow KT, Gale M Jr.
Cell. 2015 Dec 17;163(7):1808-1808.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.12.008.
PMID: 26687364
Gfi1 and gfi1b repress rag transcription in plasmacytoid dendritic cells in vitro.
Chow KT, Schulz D, McWhirter SM, Schlissel MS.
PLoS One. 2013 Sep 24;8(9):e75891. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075891. eCollection 2013.
PMID: 24086657
MK5 activates Rag transcription via Foxo1 in developing B cells.
Chow KT, Timblin GA, McWhirter SM, Schlissel MS.
J Exp Med. 2013 Jul 29;210(8):1621-34. doi: 10.1084/jem.20130498. Epub 2013 Jul 22.
PMID: 23878308
The intersection of genetic and chemical genomic screens identifies GSK-3α as a target in human acute myeloid leukemia.
Banerji V, Frumm SM, Ross KN, Li LS, Schinzel AC, Hahn CK, Kakoza RM, Chow KT, Ross L, Alexe G, Tolliday N, Inguilizian H, Galinsky I, Stone RM, DeAngelo DJ, Roti G, Aster JC, Hahn WC, Kung AL, Stegmaier K.
J Clin Invest. 2012 Mar;122(3):935-47. doi: 10.1172/JCI46465. Epub 2012 Feb 13.
PMID: 22326953
Gfi1b negatively regulates Rag expression directly and via the repression of FoxO1.
Schulz D, Vassen L, Chow KT, McWhirter SM, Amin RH, M?r?y T, Schlissel MS.
J Exp Med. 2012 Jan 16;209(1):187-99. doi: 10.1084/jem.20110645. Epub 2011 Dec 26.
PMID: 22201127
Identification of AML1-ETO modulators by chemical genomics.
Corsello SM, Roti G, Ross KN, Chow KT, Galinsky I, DeAngelo DJ, Stone RM, Kung AL, Golub TR, Stegmaier K.
Blood. 2009 Jun 11;113(24):6193-205. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-07-166090. Epub 2009 Apr 17.
PMID: 19377049
Signature-based small molecule screening identifies cytosine arabinoside as an EWS/FLI modulator in Ewing sarcoma.
Stegmaier K, Wong JS, Ross KN, Chow KT, Peck D, Wright RD, Lessnick SL, Kung AL, Golub TR.
PLoS Med. 2007 Apr;4(4):e122.
PMID: 17425403
5 October 2021


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