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Retina Biology Lab
視網膜生物學實驗室

Research Interests 研究興趣

Dr. Lo’s research interest lies in understanding the basic mechanism of retinal biology, particularly neovascular biology and retinal degeneration in ocular diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. These are blinding eye diseases in the developing and aging population. Dr. Lo is also a neuroscientist interested in neurodegeneration in stroke and cerebral ischemic injury. Her research goals focus on how to protect the developing and aging retina as well as the brain. 

勞博士的研究興趣在於了解視網膜生物學的基本機制，特別是新生血管生物學和視網膜變性在眼部疾病中的作用，例如早產兒視網膜病變、糖尿病性視網膜病變和年齡相關性黃斑變性。這些是發展中和老齡化人口中的致盲眼病。勞博士也是一位對中風和腦缺血損傷中的神經變性感興趣的神經科學家。她的研究目標集中在如何保護正在發育和老化的視網膜以及大腦。


Dr. Lo has a strong track record in basic vision research and neuroscience using in vitro and in vivo models, providing a platform for screening of various pharmacological and natural agents. She has been particularly strong in using animal models to investigate both the pathogenesis of eye diseases and stroke and subsequently the therapeutic potential of various agents, including lutein and traditional Chinese Medicine. She is the first one to report on the therapeutic value of lutein in ischemic eye diseases and stroke and its various newly discovered effects. In addition, she is also the first one to publish the therapeutic value of Lycium barbarum in basic research using animal models of ischemic eye diseases and stroke. She has also used biomedical engineering approach using natural biomaterials and 3D culture systems in development and design of intravitreal drug delivery device. Currently, Dr. Lo is also interested in the role of novel regulated cell death pathways in ocular diseases using cell biological approaches for identification of potential therapeutic targets in ischemic retinopathies and stroke.

勞博士在使用體外和體內模型的基礎視覺研究和神經科學方面有著良好的記錄，為篩選各種藥理和天然藥物提供了平台。她特別擅長使用動物模型研究眼部疾病和中風的發病機制，以及隨後各種藥物（包括葉黃素和中藥）的治療潛力。她是第一個報告葉黃素在缺血性眼病和中風中的治療價值及其各種新發現作用的人。此外，她也是第一個發表枸杞在缺血性眼病和中風動物模型基礎研究中的治療價值的人。她還在玻璃體內給藥裝置的開發和設計中使用了使用天然生物材料和 3D 培養系統的生物醫學工程方法。目前，勞博士還對使用細胞生物學方法鑑定缺血性視網膜病變和中風的潛在治療靶點的新型調節細胞死亡途徑在眼部疾病中的作用感興趣。

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Current research interest 目前的研究興趣

  • Protecting the developing retina against retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) 保護髮育中的視網膜免受早產兒視網膜病變 (ROP)

  • Protecting the aging retina against diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration 保護老化的視網膜免受糖尿病性視網膜病變和與年齡相關的黃斑變性

  • Development and design of drug delivery devices for intravitreal applications 用於玻璃體內應用的藥物輸送裝置的開發和設計

  • Protecting the brain against ischemic stroke 用於玻璃體內應用的藥物輸送裝置的開發和設計

  • Understanding the role of novel regulated cell death pathways in pathogenesis of retinal and cerebral ischemic injuries 了解新型調控細胞死亡途徑在視網膜和腦缺血損傷發病機制中的作用

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Long-term goal 長期目標
To develop new therapeutic targets and novel neuroprotective agents of clinical efficacy in the treatment of ischemic retinopathy and stroke 開發新的治療靶點和具有臨床療效的新型神經保護劑，用於治療缺血性視網膜病變和中風

Ten Representative Publications 十個代表性出版物

* Corresponding Author 通訊作者

  1. Tsang JKW, Wolf SA, Pompoes IM, Joussen AM, Lam WC, Yang D, Lo ACY*: Potential Effects of Nutraceuticals in Retinopathy of Prematurity. Life (Basel). 2021 Jan 22;11(2):79. doi: 10.3390/life11020079. PMID: 33499180.

  2. Wang W, Tam KC, Ng TC, Goit RK, Chan KLS, Lo ACY*: Long-term lutein administration attenuates retinal inflammation and functional deficits in early diabetic retinopathy using the Ins2Akita/+ mice. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2020 Jul;8(1):e001519. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001519. PMID: 32665315

  3. Yang M, So KF, Lo ACY*, Lam WC*: The Effect of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Pyroptosis-Associated Amyloid β1-40 Oligomers-Induced Adult Retinal Pigment Epithelium 19 Cell Damage. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jun 30;21(13):E4658. doi: 10.3390/ijms21134658. PMID: 32629957. 

  4. Wong FSY, Tsang KK, Chu AMW, Chan BP, Yao KM, Lo ACY*: Injectable cell-encapsulating composite alginate-collagen platform with inducible termination switch for safer ocular drug delivery. Biomaterials. 2019 May;201:53-67. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.01.032. Epub 2019 Feb 5. PMID: 30797114.

  5. Yang D, So KF, Lo ACY*:  Lycium barbarum polysaccharides extracts preserve retinal function and attenuate inner retinal neuronal damage in a mouse model of transient retinal ischemia. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2017 Sep;45(7):717-729. doi: 10.1111/ceo.12950. Epub 2017 Apr 27. PMID: 28349587. 

  6. Fu Z, Meng SS, Burnim SB, Smith LE, Lo ACY*: Lutein facilitates physiological revascularization in a mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2017 Jul;45(5):529-538. doi: 10.1111/ceo.12908. Epub 2017 Jan 29. PMID: 28002872.

  7. Li SY, Fung FK, Fu ZJ, Wong D, Chan HH, Lo ACY*: Anti-inflammatory effects of lutein in retinal ischemic/hypoxic injury: in vivo and in vitro studies. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012 Sep 6;53(10):5976-84. doi: 10.1167/iovs.12-10007. PMID: 22871829. 

  8. Fu ZJ, Li SY, Kociok N, Wong D, Chung SK, Lo ACY*: Aldose reductase deficiency reduced vascular changes in neonatal mouse retina in oxygen-induced retinopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2012 Aug 20;53(9):5698-712. doi: 10.1167/iovs.12-10122. PMID: 22836764.

  9. Li SY, Yang D, Fu Z, Woo T, Wong D, Lo ACY*: Lutein enhances survival and reduces neuronal damage in a mouse model of ischemic stroke. Neurobiol Dis. 2012 Jan;45(1):624-32. Epub 2011 Oct 17. PMID: 22024715. 

  10. Li SY, Fu ZJ, Ma H, Jang WC, So KF, Wong D, and Lo ACY*: Effect of lutein on retinal neurons and oxidative stress in a model of acute retinal ischemia/reperfusion. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009 Feb;50(2):836-43. Epub 2008 Oct 20. PMID: 18936152. 

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Book Chapters 書籍章節

* Corresponding Author 通訊作者

  1. Nian S and Lo ACY*: Protecting the aging retina. In: Neuroprotection (2019), edited by Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang and Yuen-Shan Ho, IntechOpen, print ISBN 978-1-78984-736-9, online ISBN 978-1-78984-737-6, eBook (pdf) ISBN 978-1-78985-925-6, http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.77296.

  2. Wong FSY, Tsang KK, Lo ACY*: Nanoengineered biomaterial for brain tissue reconstruction and functional repairmen. In:Nanoengineered Biomaterials For Regenerative Medicine (2019), edited by Masoud Mozafari, Jayakumar Rajadas and David Kaplan, Elvesier, print ISBN 978-0-12-813355-2.

  3. Nian S and Lo ACY*: Lutein and the aging eye. In: Progress in Carotenoid Research (2018), edited by Leila Queriroz Zepka, Eduardo Jacob-Lopes and Veridiana Vera De Rosso, IntechOpen, print ISBN 978-1-78923-716-0, online ISBN 978-1-78923-717-7.

  4. Tang LHC, Wong IYH, Lo ACY*: Animal Models of Diabetic Retinopathy (Part 1) and (Part 2). In: Experimetnal Animal Models of Human Diseases – An Effective Therapeutic Strategy (2018), edited by Ibeh Bartholomew, IntechOpen, print ISBN 978-1-78923-164-9, online ISBN 978-1-78923-165-6.

  5. Lo ACY*, Yang D: Lycium Barbarum: Neuroprotective Effects in Ischemic Stroke. In: Lycium barbarum and Human Health (2015), edited by Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang and Kwok-Fai So, Springer, ISBN 978-94-017-9658-3.

  6. Lo ACY* and Yang D: Traditional Medicine in the Treatment and Prevention of Ischemic Stroke. In:  Ischemic Stroke: Symptoms, Prevention and Recovery (2013), edited by Virag Lakatos and Balazs Somogyi, Nova Science Publishers, Inc., ISBN 978-1622577996. 

  7. Lo ACY* and Wong IY: Nutritional Supplement Use and Age Related Macular Degeneration. In:  Age Related Macular Degeneration (2011), edited by Gui-Shuang Ying, InTech Open Access Publisher, ISBN 978-953-307-864-9

  8. Sisodia, SS, Thinakaran G, Lamb BT, Slunt HH, von Koch CS, Ginsberg SD, Lo ACY, Lee MK, Roskams AJI, Masliah E, Zheng H, Van der Ploeg LHT, Gearhart JD, and Price DL: In vivo biology of amyloid precursor protein/amyloid precursor-like proteins and transgenic animal models of Alzheimer's disease. In: Alzheimer's Disease. Etiological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Possibilities. JD Turner, K Beyreuther, F Theuring (EDS), Berlin, Springer, 1996, pp 61-76.

  9. Sisodia SS, Slunt HH, Von Koch C, Lo ACY, and Thinakaran G: Studies of APP biology: analysis of APP secretion and characterization of an APP homologue, APLP2. In: Research and Perspectives in Alzheimer’s Disease. Amyloid Precursor Protein in Development, Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease. CL Master, K Beyreuther, M Tirllet and Y Christen (eds), Berlin, Springer-Verlag, 1994, pp. 121-133.

Funding sources 研究資助

(Principal Investigator / Applicant 首席研究員/申請人)

1. Research Grants Council General Research Fund 2020-2022 (HK$ 1,074,019)

Retinal neurodegeneration and retinal ischemia in diabetic retinopathy – association with autophagy dysfunction

2. Health and Medical Research Fund 2019-2022 (HK$ 1,074,019)

Terminable cell-encapsulating collagen-alginate composite device for sustained intraocular drug delivery as a therapy for retinal degenerative diseases

3. Health and Medical Research Fund 2018-2021 (HK$ 1,197,580)

Beneficial effects of lutein in maternal diabetes-related retinopathy of prematurity using the diabetic Ins2Akita mouse model

4. Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme 2018-2019 (HK$ 90,000)

Vascular pathophysiology and neuronal dysfunction in gestational diabetes-associated retinopathy of prematurity

5. Wing Tat Lee Endowment RFA (Boston University) 2018

Wing Tat Lee Collaborative Program to Rescue Retinal Cells from Apoptosis

6. Health and Medical Research Fund 2017-2020 (HK$ 895,020)

Lutein and candesartan co-treatment delays the progression of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the diabetic Ins2Akita mouse model

7. Wing Tat Lee Endowment RFA (Boston University) 2017

Establishing the Vision Science Research Collaboration between the Departments of Ophthalmology in Boston University School of Medicine and The University of Hong Kong

8. Health and Medical Research Fund 2016-2019 (HK$ 1,197,160)

Alleviation of early high mortality and aggravated brain pathology by lutein in a genetic type I diabetic mouse model after experimental stroke

9. Research Grants Council General Research Fund 2014-2016 (HK$ 1,039,239)

Cell-based intraocular delivery of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) by collagen-alginate composite gel as a therapy for retinal degenerative diseases

10. Research Grants Council General Research Fund 2011-2014 (HK$ 1,150,000)

Neuroprotective effects of lutein in cerebral and retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury: its relation with oxidative stress and post-ischemic inflammation

11. Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme 2010-2011 (HK$ 90,000)

Oxidative stress, neuronal dysfunction and neovascularization in retinopathy of prematurity

12. Research Grants Council General Research Fund 1997-2000 (HK$ 1,211,360)

Targeted over-expression of endothelin-1 in astrocytes as a transgenic model to investigate its role in brain injury and blood-brain barrier function​

Lo, Amy Cheuk Yin.jpg

Professor Amy C.Y. Lo

勞卓妍教授

Principal Investigator 

首席研究員

Research Team Members 研究團隊成員

Dicky Ng, Research Assistant
Brian Tam, Research Assistant
Jessica Tsang  (2016 - date), PhD student
Rajesh Goit (2018 - date), PhD student
Tingyu Hu (2019 - date), PhD student
Ting Zhou (2019 - date), PhD student
Yipin Wang (2020 - date), PhD student

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