CAS-Croucher Joint Laboratories
The CAS-Croucher Funding Scheme for Joint Laboratories is the outcome of an agreement between The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Croucher Foundati...
Therapeutic challenges in Esptein-Barr Virus Cancers
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is aetiologically linked to at least seven distinct types of human cancers. With all the EBV-associated tumours collectively imposing a dramatic global health burden estimated to reach 200,000 new cases annually.
Professor Wong Ka-leung, Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry,
Hong Kong Baptist University
This proposed joint laboratory will focus on the developing of dual-modality theranostic techniques (Optical and magnetic resonance imaging - MRI) for inhibition of EBV-associated cancers. Theranostics is a contemporary personalized approach that combines the diagnostic agents and targeted therapeutics that specifically permit the diagnostic disease of individuals.
Principle scientists from HK have recently achieve a monumental breakthrough in designing EBNA1-responsive bioprobe to interfere with the growth of EBV-associated tumours at a highly effective dosage. We aim to develop specific dual-mode probes for the in vivo MRI and optical imaging. Targeted molecular imaging agent for clinical MRI and optical imaging of EBV-associated malignancies is currently unavailable. This will be achieved through the introduction of various dimerization-specific peptides to the lanthanide for optimization of the target specificity towards EBNA1. CAS scientists in Changchun has a lanthanide probe library, so we can provide the new theranostic agents for EBV associated cancer through this joint project and help to end the EBV associated cancer.