Research Projects
Investigation of Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Colorectal Cancer Through Molecular Pathway and Microbiota Analysis


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☑ MPhil/PhD ☒ MRes[Med] ☒ URIS

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the commonest cancer and 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in Hong Kong. Currently, there are several factors leading to the high morbidity and mortality of CRC which initiates our research on CRC. Firstly, CRC is curable if diagnosed at an early stage of development, yet most patients have no phenotypic symptoms of the disease at this early stage.  Secondly, treatment of this disease involves surgery frequently accompanied with drug therapy. Though chemotherapy commonly results in an improved prognosis, a sizeable proportion of patients show resistance and subsequently experience recurrence or development of new tumour or metastases. Hence our research focuses are on molecular pathways and intertumoural microbiota associated with CRC development, progression, metastasis and chemoresistance, in order to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis of CRC, or therapeutic target to improve the survival of CRC patients.

We welcome research postgraduate candidates to join our team for the following research areas:

  1. Signalling pathways of colorectal cancer development, progression, metastasis and chemoresistance
  2. Molecular biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis
  3. Preclinical model for colorectal cancer therapy
  4. Intratumoural microbiota investigation

Dr L Ng, Department of Surgery

Biography
luing@hku.hk

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

  1. your CV,
  2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
  3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information. 

Research @ Department of Surgery