The Ng lab uses synthetic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to understand the dysregulated molecular pathways in human diseases, and to create novel therapeutic small-molecules to target these dysregulated pathways. We invent disruptive technologies and molecules to treat cancers, infectious and neurodegenerative diseases and collaborate closely with physicians and entrepreneurs to translate our finding from bench to bedside.
Chemical Inducers
of Proximity
Carbohydrate-based
Drug Discovery
Late-stage Modification
of Drug-like Molecules
Ongoing Projects
Chemical Inducers of Proximity
Chemical inducers of proximity (also known as “molecular glues”) are powerful chemical biology tools for the precise and temporal control of various cellular processes. We synthesize these molecular glues for investigating the posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of disease-related proteins. In particular, we apply such chemical tools to dissect epigenetics- and metabolism-associated pathways in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and Alzheimer’s disease.
Carbohydrate-based Drug Discovery
Carbohydrates are essential molecules in health and diseases but rarely explored as drug candidates – presumably due to their high polarity and inherently poor pharmacokinetic properties. We develop drug-like, carbohydrate-based molecule by chemically modify the natural carbohydrate scaffolds. In particular, we synthesize bicyclic nucleoside analogues as anti-viral drugs; and carbasugar analogues as anti-cancer and anti-diabetic drugs.