The goal of my research program is to answer one of the biggest fundamental questions in life science: What causes human aging? In addition to answering this key question, we also aim to understand why aging is the primary risk factor for human chronic diseases. The degenerative protein modifications (DPMs) occur via spontaneous protein modifications (e.g., oxidation, deamidation, glycation) have long been recognized as important mediators of human aging, but the underlying mechanisms by which they impair tissue and organ function have remained elusive. This is largely due to the current technical challenges of performing systems-wide analysis of progressive molecular damage in complex human bio samples. My laboratory is therefore focused on developing advanced ‘omics approach to elucidating DPM-biology in health and diseases, generating DPM-specific mAb to investigating functional consequences of DPMs accumulation in tissues, and targeting DPM to advancing immunotherapy for age-linked diseases. The ultimate aim of our research is to develop novel therapeutic and prophylactic approaches to combat the healthcare burden of age-related chronic diseases affecting the aging global population.
Research Interests
Developing new approaches to elucidating molecular mechanisms of health and disease.
Understanding degenerative protein modifications as molecular mediators of biological aging.
Advancing immunotherapy for cardiovascular disease by targeting isoDGR-modified proteins.
Identifying new drug targets for cancer therapy and tumour prevention.
Defining molecular mediators underpinning early asymptomatic neurodegeneration.