Projects per year
Personal profile
Chinese Name
Research Interests
I have expertise in the fields of pharmacology, toxicology, chemotherapy and gastroenterology. My research focuses on investigating novel signaling pathways and oncogenic biomarkers associated with gastrointestinal cancers including that of the pancreas, colon, liver and stomach, with the aim to identify molecular drug targets and exploring potential anticancer phytochemicals and functional peptides. One of my research milestones was to decipher the roadmap for anticarcinogenic mechanisms carried out by a special Astragalus saponins extract (AST) during its comprehensive bioactive activities when treating a panel of cancers (American Journal of Chinese Medicine 44(1):1-22, 2016). Currently, I am actively studying the molecular mechanism of two novel isoflavonoids on their anticancer potential via modulation of different variants of autophagy as well as the tumor microenvironment as neoadjuvants in pancreatic cancer therapy, together with their ability to alleviate chemoresistance in cancer cells (Antioxidants 11:1349, 2022; Phytomedicine 106:154406, 2022). New ventures include the use of tumor-targeting functional peptides and establishment of DNA vaccines or nanoparticles to improve drug delivery to tumor cells.
Biography
EDUCATION
1991 University of Toronto, B.Sc.(Hons) Specialists in Toxicology and Nutritional Sciences
1995 The University of Hong Kong, Ph.D. in Pharmacology
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) – Gastrointestinal Pharmacology section
Affiliated member of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) in the Global GI Club
Royal Society of Biology (U.K.) (MRSB); designated Chartered Biologist (C.Biol.)
Hong Kong Pharmacology Society (HKPS)
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Associate Professor (Tenured in 2009) / Associate Professor (Promoted in 2008) / Associate Professor (Re-titled in 2005) / Assistant Professor (2001-05), Hong Kong Baptist University, School of Chinese Medicine
Hon. Associate Professor (2008-2021) / Hon. Assistant Professor (1998-2007), The University of Hong Kong, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy
Senior Scientist (with the post of Project Manager) (1997-2000), CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc., Technology Development and Applied Research Div. (Member of the Cheung Kong group)
Research Fellow (Term of Service I – fractional 40% teaching, 60% research) (1997-2000) The University of Hong Kong, Department of Pharmacology
Visiting Lecturer (Pharmacology and Physiology) (1996-1998), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Optometry (formerly Department of Optometry and Radiography) and School of Nursing (formerly Department of Nursing and Health Sciences)
Course Teaching at HKBU
Pharmacology, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Anatomy, Digestive System and Hepatobiliary System, Renal System, Diseases and Medicine (GE)
Key Administrative Duties at HKBU
Chairman of the HKBU Animal Research Ethics Panel under the Senate's Standing Research Ethics Committee
Chairman of the School of Chinese Medicine (SCM) Safety Committee
Chairman of the Laboratory Safety and Animal House Committee (Teaching and Research Division, SCM)
Chairman of the HKBU Lab Safety Subcommittee under the Senate's Standing Environmental Health and Safety Committee(EHSC) (2010-19)
Risk Officer of the School of Chinese Medicine
Equal Opportunities Advisor (EOA) of HKBU (SCM Representative)
Convenor of the Biomedical Science/Western Clinical Medicine Examination Committee (Teaching and Research Division, SCM)
Member of the HKBU Senate's Standing Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) (2007-19)
Member of the HKBU Senate's Standing E-Learning Committee
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Cat C Committee Member of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Cat C Committee Member of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) Clinical Research Ethics Committee (CREC)
EACR Ambassador of the European Association for Cancer Research
Delegate to the IUPHAR General Assembly of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology in representation of the Hong Kong Pharmacology Society
Honorary Treasurer of the Hong Kong Pharmacology Society (2016-present); Executive Council Member (2008-09, 2014-15)
EXTERNAL REVIEWER OF RESEARCH GRANT & ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES / JOURNAL EDITOR / EXTERNAL EXAMINER OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES
External reviewer of the University of Macau Multi-Year Research Grant – General Research Grant
Expert assessor of the Review Panel for the Joint “Science and Technology Development Fund of Macau (FDCT)-National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)” Grant
Admission Panel Member for Incu-Tech/Incu-Bio Programme, Hong Kong Science Park
External reviewer of the Funding scheme SONATA BIS & OPUS, National Science Centre (Narodowe Centrum Nauki), Government of the Republic of Poland
External reviewer of the Health Research Board Ireland, Clinical Research Training Fellowship
Associate Editor of “Frontiers in Pharmacology – Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Pharmacology specialty section”
Associate Editor of “PPAR Research”
Editor of “Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine”
External examiner of the Associate Degree Programme in Life Sciences, College of International Education, Hong Kong Baptist University (CIE)
External examiner of the Diploma Programme in General Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong – Tung Wah Groups of Hospitals Community College (CUTW)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacology), The University of Hong Kong
1 Jul 1991 → 31 Aug 1995
Award Date: 6 Nov 1995
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Toxicology and Nutritional Science, University of Toronto
1 Sept 1987 → 31 May 1991
Award Date: 16 Jun 1991
Keywords
- RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
- Pancreatic cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Chemotherapy
- Chemoresistance
- Autophagy
- Tumor microenvironment
- Phytochemicals
- Functional peptides
- Toxicology
- Experimental pharmacology
- Animal models
- Ulcerative colitis
- Gastric ulcer
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- 1 Similar Scholars
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Quality evaluation and production development of wild ginseng stem cell wall-broken powder
CHEN, H., KO, J., CHEN, Q. & TANG, Y.
1/02/21 → 31/01/23
Project: Research project
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Establishment of isoliquiritigenin as a novel autophagy-ferritinophagy regulator in pancreatic cancer adjuvant chemotherapy (Abstract)
Ko, J. & Zhang, Z., 8 Jun 2023, In: Molecular Oncology. 17, Supplement 1, p. 120-121 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review
Open Access -
Isoliquiritigenin inhibits pancreatic cancer progression through blockade of p38 MAPK-regulated autophagy
Zhang, Z., Chen, W. Q., Zhang, S. Q., Bai, J. X., Liu, B., Yung, K. K. L. & Ko, J. K. S., Nov 2022, In: Phytomedicine. 106, 154406.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review
26 Citations (Scopus) -
MUC1 is responsible for the pro-metastatic potential of calycosin in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Chen, W., Zhang, Z., Yung, K. L. & Ko, J., 30 Jul 2022, In: American Journal of Cancer Research. 12, 7, p. 3242–3258 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review
Open Access -
The human cathelicidin peptide LL-37 inhibits pancreatic cancer growth by suppressing autophagy and reprogramming of the tumor immune microenvironment
Zhang, Z., Chen, W-Q., Zhang, S-Q., Bai, J-X., Lau, C-L., Sze, S. C-W., Yung, K. K-L. & Ko, J. K-S., 22 Jul 2022, In: Frontiers in Pharmacology. 13, 16 p., 906625.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review
Open Access14 Citations (Scopus) -
Therapeutic Intervention in Cancer by Isoliquiritigenin from Licorice: A Natural Antioxidant and Redox Regulator
Zhang, Z., Yung, K. K. L. & Ko, J. K. S., 11 Jul 2022, In: Antioxidants. 11, 7, 1349.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access26 Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
Activities
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Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School Council (External organisation)
Joshua KO (Committee/panel/advisory board member)
2022 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of board/committee/council
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Frontiers in Pharmacology (Journal)
Joshua KO (Associate editor)
2020 → …Activity: Publication peer-review/editorial work › Editor/reviewer for publications (incl. CDCF T61 Journal Editor)
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PPAR Research (Journal)
Joshua KO (Associate editor)
2008 → 2012Activity: Publication peer-review/editorial work › Editor/reviewer for publications (incl. CDCF T61 Journal Editor)
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International union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (External organisation)
Joshua KO (Others)
2006 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of societies
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American Association for Cancer Research (External organisation)
Joshua KO (General member)
2006 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of societies
Press/Media
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Newspaper interview for the potential use of Astragalus extract to treat colorectal cancer
8/01/07
2 items of Media coverage
Press/Media