Academic Profile : Faculty
Assoc Prof Christine Cheung
Associate Professor of Vascular Biomedicine, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
Provost’s Chair in Medicine
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Assoc Prof Christine Cheung is an Associate Professor of Vascular Biomedicine and holds the Provost's Chair in Medicine at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University. She received her PhD in Cardiovascular and Stem Cell Medicine from the University of Cambridge and graduated with First Class Honors in BEng from Imperial College London. Her research in vascular disease biology has garnered recognitions within the scientific community. In 2019, she became a member of the World Economic Forum Young Scientists Community and was recognised as an Honoree of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore (Medical Innovations). Her contributions to the field earned her the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Young Investigator Grant, Life Sciences Fellowship from L'Oréal Singapore For Women in Science Fellowship 2018, and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology Independent Fellowship in 2012. She was also honoured with the Young Investigator Prize from the British Society for Cardiovascular Research and the Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award by The American Heart Association. Currently, she serves as the Director of PhD Programme and is an executive committee member of the Stem Cell Society Singapore.
The saying goes 'You are as old as your arteries'. Blood vessels transcend all organ systems and underlie the crux of many health conditions. Our research aims to understand biological mechanisms of endothelial dysfunctions in vascular abnormalities caused by degenerative, inflammatory and genetic conditions. We employ advanced molecular techniques, human-relevant experimental models and patient-derived materials to elucidate pathological endothelial cell behaviours. Our work provide insights for translation to restore blood vessel health and regenerative therapies.
Personalised Vascular Models
Using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, we have invented methods to derive endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. These iPSC-based vascular models are amenable to gene editing, facilitating mechanistic studies of vascular pathologies. We also harness the replicative potential of human blood outgrowth endothelial cells to recapitulate the biochemical and phenotypic variations conferred by the inflammatory and degenerative disease conditions. Such patient-derived cells enable complex reconstruction of tissues with more physiological relevance for experimentations.
Molecular Underpinning of Endothelial Dysfunctions
Human-relevant vascular models have enabled us to carry out far-reaching experimental strategies. We perform advanced single-cell analysis to discover the diverse cell states adopted by endothelial cells under disease-associated stress paradigms. This allows us to elucidate how molecular mediators regulate cellular heterogeneity, as well as their functional impacts on endothelial barrier function and heterotypic interactions with other cell types, e.g., distinct immune subsets. Our cellular assays can also facilitate drug testing for the development of vascular-protective therapeutics.
Cell-Based Diagnostics
Blood borne cells such as circulating endothelial cells and progenitors show characteristic changes in their gene expressions and phenotypes in response to vascular injury. We are developing cell-based biomarkers to predict risk of vascular complications, therefore improving diagnostics for early intervention.
Personalised Vascular Models
Using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, we have invented methods to derive endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. These iPSC-based vascular models are amenable to gene editing, facilitating mechanistic studies of vascular pathologies. We also harness the replicative potential of human blood outgrowth endothelial cells to recapitulate the biochemical and phenotypic variations conferred by the inflammatory and degenerative disease conditions. Such patient-derived cells enable complex reconstruction of tissues with more physiological relevance for experimentations.
Molecular Underpinning of Endothelial Dysfunctions
Human-relevant vascular models have enabled us to carry out far-reaching experimental strategies. We perform advanced single-cell analysis to discover the diverse cell states adopted by endothelial cells under disease-associated stress paradigms. This allows us to elucidate how molecular mediators regulate cellular heterogeneity, as well as their functional impacts on endothelial barrier function and heterotypic interactions with other cell types, e.g., distinct immune subsets. Our cellular assays can also facilitate drug testing for the development of vascular-protective therapeutics.
Cell-Based Diagnostics
Blood borne cells such as circulating endothelial cells and progenitors show characteristic changes in their gene expressions and phenotypes in response to vascular injury. We are developing cell-based biomarkers to predict risk of vascular complications, therefore improving diagnostics for early intervention.
- Molecular underpinning of cerebrovascular dysfunctions in vascular dementia
- Molecular underpinning of endothelial dysfunction in metabolic and inflammatory conditions
- Molecular underpinning of endothelial-immune crosstalk in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Provost's Chair in Medicine (Christine Cheung)
Awards
Research Team awarded the Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award, The American Heart Association, 2023
Nanyang Research Award (Young Investigator), 2022
World Economic Forum Young Scientists, Class of 2019
Honoree Winner, Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore, 2018
Nanyang Research Award (Young Investigator), 2022
World Economic Forum Young Scientists, Class of 2019
Honoree Winner, Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore, 2018
Fellowships & Other Recognition
Human Frontier Science Program Young Investigator, 2019
Life Science Fellow, L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science National Fellowship 2018
IMCB Independent Fellowship, 2013
Life Science Fellow, L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science National Fellowship 2018
IMCB Independent Fellowship, 2013
Courses Taught
Course Lead, MD9109 Professional Skills for Researchers
Content Expert in MBBS modules
- Foundations in Medicine
- Cardiorespiratory System
Science Lead, MBBS module, Child Development and Health (2020-2023)
Content Expert in MBBS modules
- Foundations in Medicine
- Cardiorespiratory System
Science Lead, MBBS module, Child Development and Health (2020-2023)
Supervision of PhD Students
[Current Lab Members]
PhD Scholars:
Vanessa Wazny
Tay Kai Yi
Lee Khang Leng
Nguyen Le Uyen Nhi
Research Fellows:
Dr See Jia Xiang
Dr Aparna Mahadevan
Lab Manager:
Hannah Wee
PhD Scholars:
Vanessa Wazny
Tay Kai Yi
Lee Khang Leng
Nguyen Le Uyen Nhi
Research Fellows:
Dr See Jia Xiang
Dr Aparna Mahadevan
Lab Manager:
Hannah Wee