Dr Ko Chi-bun, Ben Assistant Professor

Location Y833
Phone +852 3400 8699
mail ben.ko@polyu.edu.hk

Open Platform for University Scholars
ORCID ID
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Education and Academic Qualifications Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Hong Kong




Research Overview Our research areas include: (1) Phenotypic screenings using automated high content imaging analysis to identify novel molecules with pharmacological activities; (2) Elucidating molecular targets and mode of action of bioactive compounds using chemical biology approach; (3) Elucidating pathogenesis of liver cancer.




Research Interests
Oncogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Drug Discovery and Chemical Biology
Cellular Responses and Adaptation to Hypertonic Stress



Achievements

Representative Publications
Deng JR, Chan WC, Lai NCH, Yang B, Tsang CS,Ko BCB, Chan SLF, Wong MK. Photosensitizer-free visible light-mediated gold-catalysed cis-difunctionalization of silyl-substituted alkynes. Chemical Science. 2017;8(11):7537-44.
Zhang B, Zhang Y, Zou X, Chan AW, Zhang R, Lee TK, Liu H, Lau EY, Ho NP, Lai PB, Cheung YS, To KF, Wong HK, Choy KW, Keng VW, Chow LM, Chan KK, Cheng AS,Ko BCB. The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF)-forkhead box protein M1 axis regulates tumour growth and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Pathol. 2017;243(4):418-30.
Wong VKW, Zeng W, Chen J, Yao XJ, Leung ELH, Wang QQ, Chiu P,Ko BCB, Law BYK. Tetrandrine, an activator of autophagy, induces autophagic cell death via PKC-α inhibition and mTOR-dependent mechanisms. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2017;8(JUN).
Song CL, Tang H, Ran LK,Ko BCB, Zhang ZZ, Chen X, Ren JH, Tao NN, Li WY, Huang AL, Chen J. Sirtuin 3 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth through the glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta/BCL2-associated X protein-dependent apoptotic pathway. Oncogene. 2016;35(5):631-41.
Zhang B, Chen J, Cheng ASL,Ko BCB. Depletion of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) leads to epigenetic modifications of telomerase (TERT) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(1).
Ren JH, Tao Y, Zhang ZZ, Chen WX, Cai XF, Chen K,Ko BCB, Song CL, Ran LK, Li WY, Huang AL, Chena J. Sirtuin 1 regulates hepatitis B virus transcription and replication by targeting transcription factor AP-1. Journal of Virology. 2014;88(5):2442-51.
Chen J, Chan AWH, To KF, Chen W, Zhang Z, Ren J, Song C, Cheung YS, Lai PBS, Cheng SH, Ng MHL, Huang A,Ko BCB. SIRT2 overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma mediates epithelial to mesenchymal transition by protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase-3β/β-catenin signaling. Hepatology. 2013;57(6):2287-98.
Chen J, Zhang B, Wong N, Lo AWI, To KF, Chan AWH, Ng MHL, Ho CYS, Cheng SH, Lai PBS, Yu J, Ng HK, Ling MT, Huang AL, Cai XF,Ko BCB. Sirtuin 1 is upregulated in a subset of hepatocellular carcinomas where it is essential for telomere maintenance and tumor cell growth. Cancer Research. 2011;71(12):4138-49.
Law BYK, Wang M, Ma DL, Al-Mousa F, Michelangeli F, Cheng SH, Ng MHL, To KF, Mok AYF, Ko RYY, Lam SK, Chen F, Che CM, Chiu P,Ko BCB. Alisol B, a novel inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase pump, induces autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. 2010;9(3):718-30.
Xu S, Wong CCL, Tong EHY, Chung SSM, Yates Iii JR, Yin Y,Ko BCB. Phosphorylation by casein kinase 1 regulates tonicity-induced osmotic response element-binding protein/tonicity enhancer-binding protein nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2008;283(25):17624-34.