Biography

 

Dr. Chan has been the Scientific Officer of our department since 2006. She also serves as the Safety Officer of our laboratories and oversees the daily operation of the laboratory. 

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She has immense interest in conducting research in neonatology and paediatric oncology, including the pathophysiology of necrotising enterocolitis, developmental immaturity in innate immune responses and haematological malignancies. She is currently developing rapid tests for detecting bacterial infections, gastrointestinal conditions and drug-induced tissue damage in paediatric patients.  

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Dr. Chan obtained her first degree in biotechnology and PhD degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Hong Kong. She then pursued her postdoctoral training in the Department of Clinical Oncology and, Anatomical and Cellular Pathology in the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She received technical training on genomics, transcriptomic and network analysis at the National Institutes of Health (USA) as a visiting scientist in 2008.

 

Current appointments

• Scientific Officer

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Research Interests​

• Neonatal and Paediatric Disease Mechanisms
  -Investigating early biomarkers of infection and gastrointestinal disorders in infants, with a particular focus on necrotising enterocolitis. Research areas include innate immune responses, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and microRNA‑mediated gene regulatory networks that shape neonatal immunity and disease susceptibility.

• Genomic Technologies in Paediatric Cancer Research
  -Applying advanced genomic tools, including circulating nucleic acid profiling, next‑generation sequencing, and functional drug‑sensitivity assays; to improve diagnostic precision and therapeutic stratification in childhood leukaemia

• Systems Biology and Precision Medicine
  -Using integrative multiomics and systems‑level modelling to dissect tumour microenvironments and identify actionable molecular targets. This work aims to support the development of personalized therapies and innovative treatment approaches for complex paediatric cancers

• Translational Infectious Disease Research
  -Utilizing genomics, immunology, and systems‑based approaches to study pathogen detection, host response signatures, and antimicrobial resistance in paediatric populations. Emphasis on developing rapid diagnostics and targeted interventions for improving clinical outcomes

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Recent and Representative Publications​

1. Zhang C, Chan KYY, Ng WH, Cheung JTK, Sun Q, Wang H, Chung PY, Cheng FWT, Leung AWK, Zhang XB, Lee PY, Fok SP, Lin G, Poon ENY, Feng JH, Tang YL, Luo XQ, Huang LB, Kang W, Tang PMK, Huang J, Chen C, Dong J, Mejstrikova E, Cai J, Liu Y, Shen S, Yang JJ, Yuen PMP, Li CK, Leung KT. CD9 shapes glucocorticoid sensitivity in pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica. 2024; 109(9):2833-2845.

2. Leung KT, Cai J, Liu Y, Chan KYY, Shao J, Yang H, Hu Q, Xue Y, Wu X, Guo X, Zhai X, Wang N, Li X, Tian X, Li Z, Xue N, Guo Y, Wang L, Zou Y, Xiao P, He Y, Jin R, Tang J, Yang JJ, Shen S, Pui CH, Li CK. Prognostic implications of CD9 in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: insights from a nationwide multicenter study in China. Leukemia. 2024; 38(2):250-257.

3. Liu S, Tsun JGS, Fung GPG, Lui GCY, Chan KYY, Chan PKS, Chan RWY. Comparison of the mucosal and systemic antibody responses in Covid-19 recovered patients with one dose of mRNA vaccine and unexposed subjects with three doses of mRNA vaccines. Front Immunol. 2023;14:1127401.

4. Wang H, Chan KYY, Cheng CK, Ng MHL, Lee PY, Cheng FWT, Lam GKS, Chow TW, Ha SY, Chiang AKS, Leung WH, Leung AYH, Wang CC, Zhang T, Zhang XB, So CC, Yuen YP, Sun Q, Zhang C, Xu Y, Cheung JTK, Ng WH, Tang PM, Kang W, To KF, Lee WYW, Wong RS, Poon ENY, Zhao Q, Huang J, Chen C, Yuen PMP, Li CK, Leung AWK, Leung KT. Pharmacogenomic profiling of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities and inform functional precision medicine. Blood Cancer Discov. 2022; 3(6):516-535.

5. Chan KYY, Chung PY, Zhang C, Poon ENY, Leung AWK, Leung KT. R4 RGS proteins as fine tuners of immature and mature hematopoietic cell trafficking. J Leukoc Biol. 2022 Oct;112(4):785-797. doi: 10.1002/JLB.1MR0422-475R.

6. Lam HS, Chan KYY, Ip M, Leung KT, Lo NW, Wong RP, Li K, Ng PC. Rapid Identification of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance by qPCR in Infants with Gram-Negative Septicaemia: A Proof-of-Concept Study. Neonatology. 2017;111(2):145-152.

7. Leung KT, Lam HS, Chan KYY, Sit T, Wong RP, Yu JW, Li K, Ng PC. Regulation of Circulating Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells in Preterm Infants with Septicemia. Stem Cells Dev. 2016 ;25(23):1780-1787.

8. Leung KT, Chan KYY, Ma TP, Yu JW, Tong JH, Tam YH, Cheung HM, To KF, Lam HS, Lee KH, Li K, Ng PC. Dysregulated expression of arginine metabolic enzymes in human intestinal tissues of necrotizing enterocolitis and response of CaCO2 cells to bacterial components. J Nutr Biochem. 2016;29:64-72.

9. Ng PC, Chan KYY, Leung KT, Tam YH, Ma TP, Lam HS, Cheung HM, Lee KH, To KF, Li K. Comparative MiRNA Expressional Profiles and Molecular Networks in Human Small Bowel Tissues of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation. PLoS One. 2015;10(8):e0135737.

10. Chan KYY, Leung KT, Tam YH, Lam HS, Cheung HM, Ma TP, Lee KH, To KF, Li K, Ng PC. Genome-wide expression profiles of necrotizing enterocolitis versus spontaneous intestinal perforation in human intestinal tissues: dysregulation of functional pathways. Ann Surg. 2014;260(6):1128-37.

11. Fong ON, Chan KYY, Leung KT, Lam HS, Cheung HM, Leung TY, Li K, Ng PC. Expression profile of cord blood neutrophils and dysregulation of HSPA1A and OLR1 upon challenge by bacterial peptidoglycan. J Leukoc Biol. 2014;95(1):169-78.  

12. Ng EW, Poon TC, Lam HS, Cheung HM, Ma TP, Chan KYY, Wong RP, Leung KT, Lam MM, Li K, Ng PC. Gut-associated biomarkers L-FABP, I-FABP, and TFF3 and LIT score for diagnosis of surgical necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Ann Surg. 2013;258(6):1111-8.

13. Chan KYY, Zhou L, Xiang P, Li K, Ng PC, Wang CC, Li M, Pong NH, Tu L, Deng H, Kong CK, Sung RY. Thrombopoietin improved ventricular function and regulated remodeling genes in a rat model of myocardial infarction. Int J Cardiol. 2013;167(6):2546-54.

14. Ng PC, Chan KYY, Poon TC. Biomarkers for prediction and diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis. Clin Perinatol. 2013;40(1):149-59.

15. Chan KYY, Leung FW, Lam HS, Tam YH, To KF, Cheung HM, Leung KT, Poon TC, Lee KH, Li K, Fok TF, Ng PC. Immunoregulatory protein profiles of necrotizing enterocolitis versus spontaneous intestinal perforation in preterm infants. PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e36977.

16. Chan KYY, Xiang P, Zhou L, Li K, Ng PC, Wang CC, Zhang L, Deng HY, Pong NH, Zhao H, Chan WY, Sung RY. Thrombopoietin protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy, improves cardiac function, and reversely alters specific signalling networks. Eur J Heart Fail. 2011;13(4):366-76.

17. Leung KT, Chan KYY, Ng PC, Lau TK, Chiu WM, Tsang KS, Li CK, Kong CK, Li K. The tetraspanin CD9 regulates migration, adhesion, and homing of human cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Blood. 2011;117(6):1840-50.

18. Lee KY, Fong BS, Tsang KS, Lau TK, Ng PC, Lam AC, Chan KYY, Wang CC, Kung HF, Li CK, Li K. Fetal stromal niches enhance human embryonic stem cell-derived hematopoietic differentiation and globin switch. Stem Cells Dev. 2011;20(1):31-8.

19. Chan KYY, Lam HS, Cheung HM, Chan AK, Li K, Fok TF, Ng PC. Rapid identification and differentiation of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial bloodstream infections by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in preterm infants. Crit Care Med. 2009;37(8):2441-7.

20. Wong QW, Lung RW, Law PT, Lai PB, Chan KYY, To KF, Wong N. MicroRNA-223 is commonly repressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and potentiates expression of Stathmin1. Gastroenterology. 2008;135(1):257-69.  

21. Chan KYY, Lai PB, Squire JA, Beheshti B, Wong NL, Sy SM, Wong N. Positional expression profiling indicates candidate genes in deletion hotspots of hepatocellular carcinoma. Mod Pathol. 2006;19(12):1546-54.

22. Chan KYY, Wong N, Lai PB, Squire JA, Macgregor PF, Beheshti B, Albert M, To KF, Johnson PJ. Transcriptional profiling on chromosome 19p indicated frequent downregulation of ACP5 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Cancer. 2005;114(6):902-8.