Staff Profile

School of Science and Technology People Key Staff Staff Profile
Dr. Lai Keng Po Ball 黎鏡波博士
Assistant Professor
School of Science and Technology

Biography

Dr. Lai received his BSc and PhD from Hong Kong Baptist University. He completed postdoctoral training at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore. Prior to joining Hong Kong Metropolitan University, he served as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong and as a Professor at Guilin Medical University. Dr. Lai has secured external competitive research funds including GRF, ECF, HMRF, and NNSFC.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8135-6030

Teaching Areas & Research Interests

  • Pollutants and Human Health
  • Epigenetic Transgenerational Effects of Pollutants
  • Omics Technology and Big Data Analysis
  • Drug Discovery

Selected Publications

Journal Articles

  • Yang Y, Zhou GJ, Li Z, Sun J, Wong AST, Ko VCC, Wu RSS, Lai KP*. Effects of benzophenone-3 and its metabolites on the marine diatom Chaetoceros neogracilis: Underlying mechanisms and environmental implications. Sci Total Environ. 2024 May 1;923:171371.
  • Luo J, Lana Y, Pana WW, Lai KP*, Kong D. Molecular mechanisms and biomarkers underlying the protective roles of the nutraceutical laminarin against ischaemic strokes. Food and Agricultural Immunology. 2023 Aug 34;1: 2249265.
  • Ho TC, Wan HT, Lee WK, Lam TKY, Lin X, Chan TF, Lai KP, Wong CKC. Effects of In Utero PFOS Exposure on Epigenetics and Metabolism in Mouse Fetal Livers. Environ Sci Technol. 2023 Oct 10;57(40):14892-14903.
  • Luo J, Chen D, Mei Y, Li H, Qin B, Lin X, Chan TF, Lai KP*, Kong D. Comparative transcriptome findings reveal the neuroinflammatory network and potential biomarkers to early detection of ischemic stroke. J Biol Eng. 2023 Aug 2;17(1):50.
  • Zhou H, Wang P, Qin X, Zhang X, Lai KP*, Chen J. Comparative transcriptomic analysis and mechanistic characterization revealed the use of formononetin for bladder cancer treatment. Food Funct. 2023 Jun 19;14(12):5787-5804.
  • Yang S, Li M, Kong RYC, Li L, Li R, Chen J, Lai KP*. Reproductive toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics. Environ Int. 2023 Jul;177:108002.
  • Xu H, Liu J, Li X, Li J, Lin X, Li Z, Dou T, Gao L, Li R, Lai KP*. Instrumental and transcriptome analysis reveals the chemotherapeutic effects of doxorubicin-loaded black phosphate nanosheets on abiraterone-resistant prostate cancer. Bioorg Chem. 2023 Aug;137:106583.
  • Lo HS, Wong LC, Lai KP*, Cheung SG. The influences of spatial-temporal variability and ecological drivers on microplastic in marine fish in Hong Kong. Environ Pollut. 2023 Jun 15;327:121527.
  • Tam N, Kong RYC, Lai KP*. Reproductive toxicity in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) due to embryonic exposure to PCB 28 or 4'-OH-PCB 65. Sci Total Environ. 2023 May 20;874:162401.
  • Qin X, Lin H, Cao Y, Wu RSS, Lai KP*, Kong RYC. Embryo developmental toxicity in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) due to parental and embryonic 17α-ethinylestradiol exposure. Sci Total Environ. 2022 Nov 28:160594.
  • Lai KP*, Tim Leung CC, Boncan DAT, Tam N, Lin X, Wang SY, Chan TF, Sun Wu RS, Chong Kong RY. Hypoxia-induced epigenetic transgenerational miRNAs dysregulation involved in reproductive impairment of ovary. Chem Biol Interact. 2022 Sep 10;367:110176.
  • Li R, Guo C, Lin X, Chan TF, Su M, Zhang Z, Lai KP*. Integrative omics analysis reveals the protective role of vitamin C on perfluorooctanoic acid-induced hepatoxicity. J Adv Res. 2021 Apr 15;35:279-294.
  • Lu K, Lai KP, Stoeger T, Ji S, Lin Z, Lin X, Chan TF, Fang JK, Lo M, Gao L, Qiu C, Chen S, Chen G, Li L, Wang L. Detrimental effects of microplastic exposure on normal and asthmatic pulmonary physiology. J Hazard Mater. 2021 Aug 15;416:126069.
  • Tam N, Lai KP*, Kong RYC. Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals reproductive impairments caused by PCBs and OH-PCBs through the dysregulation of ER and AR signaling. Sci Total Environ. 2022 Jan 1;802:149913.
  • Qiao W, Wong KHM, Shen J, Wang W, Wu J, Li J, Lin Z, Chen Z, Matinlinna JP, Zheng Y, Wu S, Liu X, Lai KP, Chen Z, Lam YW, Cheung KMC, Yeung KWK. TRPM7 kinase-mediated immunomodulation in macrophage plays a central role in magnesium ion-induced bone regeneration. Nat Commun. 2021 May 17;12(1):2885.
  • Li R, Li Y, Liang X, Yang L, Su M, Lai KP*. Network Pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses identify intersection genes of niacin and COVID-19 as potential therapeutic targets. Brief Bioinform. 2021 Mar 22;22(2):1279-1290.
  • Li R, Huang X, Liang X, Su M, Lai KP*, Chen J. Integrated omics analysis reveals the alteration of gut microbe-metabolites in obese adults. Brief Bioinform. 2021 May 20;22(3):bbaa165.
  • Li R, Wu K, Li Y, Liang X, Lai KP*, Chen J. Integrative pharmacological mechanism of vitamin C combined with glycyrrhizic acid against COVID-19: findings of bioinformatics analyses. Brief Bioinform. 2021 Mar 22;22(2):1161-1174.
  • Wan HT, Lai KP*, Wong CKC. Comparative Analysis of PFOS and PFOA Toxicity on Sertoli Cells. Environ Sci Technol. 2020 Mar 17;54(6):3465-3475.
  • Lai KP, Wang SY, Li JW, Tong Y, Chan TF, Jin N, Tse A, Zhang JW, Wan MT, Tam N, Au DWT, Lee BY, Lee JS, Wong AST, Kong RYC, Wu RSS. Hypoxia Causes Transgenerational Impairment of Ovarian Development and Hatching Success in Fish. Environ Sci Technol. 2019 Apr 2;53(7):3917-3928.
  • Lai KP, Wan HT, Ng AH, Li JW, Chan TF, Wong CK. Transcriptomic and Functional Analyses on the Effects of Dioxin on Insulin Secretion of Pancreatic Islets and β-Cells. Environ Sci Technol. 2017 Oct 3;51(19):11390-11400.
  • Lai KP, Lee JC, Wan HT, Li JW, Wong AY, Chan TF, Oger C, Galano JM, Durand T, Leung KS, Leung CC, Li R, Wong CK. Effects of in Utero PFOS Exposure on Transcriptome, Lipidome, and Function of Mouse Testis. Environ Sci Technol. 2017 Aug 1;51(15):8782-8794.
  • Lai KP*, Li JW, Cheung A, Li R, Billah MB, Chan TF, Wong CKC. Transcriptome sequencing reveals prenatal PFOS exposure on liver disorders. Environ Pollut. 2017 Apr;223:416-425.
  • Lai KP*, Chung YT, Li R, Wan HT, Wong CK. Bisphenol A alters gut microbiome: Comparative metagenomics analysis. Environ Pollut. 2016 Nov;218:923-930.
  • Wang SY, Lau K, Lai KP, Zhang JW, Tse AC, Li JW, Tong Y, Chan TF, Wong CK, Chiu JM, Au DW, Wong AS, Kong RY, Wu RS. Hypoxia causes transgenerational impairments in reproduction of fish. Nat Commun. 2016 Jul 4;7:12114.

Selected Professional & Community Services

  • Member of State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, CityU (2015-now)
  • Associate Director of Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Integrative Omics, Guilin Medical University (2019-2024)

Further Information

Link to personal homepage

Modified Date: 10 Oct, 2024
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Jonathan Chiu
Marketing Director
3DP Technology Limited

Jonathan handles all external affairs include business development, patents write up and public relations. He is frequently interviewed by media and is considered a pioneer in 3D printing products.

Krutz Cheuk
Biomedical Engineer
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital

After graduating from OUHK, Krutz obtained an M.Sc. in Engineering Management from CityU. He is now completing his second master degree, M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, at CUHK. Krutz has a wide range of working experience. He has been with Siemens, VTech, and PCCW.

Hugo Leung
Software and Hardware Engineer
Innovation Team Company Limited

Hugo Leung Wai-yin, who graduated from his four-year programme in 2015, won the Best Paper Award for his ‘intelligent pill-dispenser’ design at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering’s International Conference on Consumer Electronics – China 2015.

The pill-dispenser alerts patients via sound and LED flashes to pre-set dosage and time intervals. Unlike units currently on the market, Hugo’s design connects to any mobile phone globally. In explaining how it works, he said: ‘There are three layers in the portable pillbox. The lowest level is a controller with various devices which can be connected to mobile phones in remote locations. Patients are alerted by a sound alarm and flashes. Should they fail to follow their prescribed regime, data can be sent via SMS to relatives and friends for follow up.’ The pill-dispenser has four medicine slots, plus a back-up with a LED alert, topped by a 500ml water bottle. It took Hugo three months of research and coding to complete his design, but he feels it was worth all his time and effort.

Hugo’s public examination results were disappointing and he was at a loss about his future before enrolling at the OUHK, which he now realizes was a major turning point in his life. He is grateful for the OUHK’s learning environment, its industry links and the positive guidance and encouragement from his teachers. The University is now exploring the commercial potential of his design with a pharmaceutical company. He hopes that this will benefit the elderly and chronically ill, as well as the society at large.

Soon after completing his studies, Hugo joined an automation technology company as an assistant engineer. He is responsible for the design and development of automation devices. The target is to minimize human labor and increase the quality of products. He is developing products which are used in various sections, including healthcare, manufacturing and consumer electronics.

Course Code Title Credits
  COMP S321F Advanced Database and Data Warehousing 5
  COMP S333F Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms 5
  COMP S351F Software Project Management 5
  COMP S362F Concurrent and Network Programming 5
  COMP S363F Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing 5
  COMP S382F Data Mining and Analytics 5
  COMP S390F Creative Programming for Games 5
  COMP S492F Machine Learning 5
  ELEC S305F Computer Networking 5
  ELEC S348F IOT Security 5
  ELEC S371F Digital Forensics 5
  ELEC S431F Blockchain Technologies 5
  ELEC S425F Computer and Network Security 5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 ELEC S201FBasic Electronics5
 IT S290FHuman Computer Interaction & User Experience Design5
 STAT S251FStatistical Data Analysis5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 COMPS333FAdvanced Programming and AI Algorithms5
 COMPS362FConcurrent and Network Programming5
 COMPS363FDistributed Systems and Parallel Computing5
 COMPS380FWeb Applications: Design and Development5
 COMPS381FServer-side Technologies and Cloud Computing5
 COMPS382FData Mining and Analytics5
 COMPS390FCreative Programming for Games5
 COMPS413FApplication Design and Development for Mobile Devices5
 COMPS492FMachine Learning5
 ELECS305FComputer Networking5
 ELECS363FAdvanced Computer Design5
 ELECS425FComputer and Network Security5