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Ah-Kau Ng, Ph.D.
Professor
Research Interests
Cancer Immunology:
Cell surface ligands for extra-cellular matrix components are crucial to normal biologic processes such as embryogenesis, tissue development, immune response, hemostasis and thrombosis. These surface molecules also have a significant role in pathological conditions such as vasculitis, atherosclerosis and tumor metastasis. Among them are surface proteases and a series of cytoadhesion molecules including osteopontin, the intergrins and the selectin molecules that mediate interaction between vascular endothelium and tumor cells, leukocytes or platelets. My interest focuses on the roles of osteopontin, protease, integrins, and selectins in (a) tumor immunity, tumor diagnosis, and tumor metastasis and (b) platelet activation in cardiovascular disease. This project is in collaboration with scientists at Maine Medical Center Research Institute and clinicians at Maine Medical Center.sis, and tumor metastasis and (b) platelet activation in
cardiovascular disease.
Nanotechnology: Endowed with their unique chemical and physical properties, nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, metal oxides and noble-metal nanoparticles have found extensive uses in industrial products, consumer products and medicine. Occupational and public exposure to nanomaterials has been increasing, yet studies on their health and environmental effects remain limited. Growing public concern has called for more basic research to address the toxicology issues of nanomaterials. My interest focuses on the toxic and inflammatory effects of gold and silver nanoparticles on immune and respiratory systems. I am also interested in the application of nanomaterials in cancer and infectious disease.
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