Email

duncanleung@um.edu.mo

Tel

(853) 8822-4688

Office

N22-5007

Consultation Hours

Tue: 11:00~12:00
Thu: 11:00~12:00

Group Website

http://duncanleung.weebly.com/

Duncan, Chung Hang LEUNG 梁重恒

Professor

Academic Qualifications

  • PhD, City University of Hong Kong
  • BSc (Hons), City University of Hong Kong

Teaching

HSCI2006Physiology and Pathophysiology
HSCI2007Physiology Lab
HSCI3008Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics
Drug DiscoveryPostgraduate course
Targets and Models for Drug ScreenPostgraduate course
Pharmacology and Safety EvaluationPostgraduate course

Research Interests

Drug discovery

  • Development of natural products and metal-based drug candidates and theranostic agents for important molecular targets with special emphasis on modulators of protein-protein interactions and gene regulations.

Luminescent sensing methods

  • Development of robust photoluminescence drug screening assays for the identification of enzyme inhibitors
  • Detection of hazardous substances such as heavy metal ions and pesticides for quality control and food safety

These research areas are multidisciplinary in nature and involve scientists from a broad range of fields, including molecular biology, pharmacology, computational chemistry, analytical chemistry and chemical synthesis. Active collaborations have been formed with researchers both locally and internationally. Several works originating from Dr. Leung’s research group have been published in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Angewandte Chemie, Nucleic Acids Research, Chemical Science, Chemical Communications, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry.

Group Pages

We are now looking for postgraduate students and research assistants who wish to participate in our research projects on drug discovery and sensing of biomolecules. For further information, please contact Dr. Leung at duncanleung@um.edu.mo

Biography

Chung-Hang (Duncan) Leung received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the City University of Hong Kong in the field of biochemistry. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, Dr. Leung obtained an Associate Research Scientist position at the Yale University School of Medicine (with a total of five years of experience at Yale). He then worked for four years as a Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, and the School of Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University before joining the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences at the University of Macau in 2011.

h-index: 63 (Scopus)
Total citation: 12726 (Scopus)

  • 理事, Consortium of Belt and Road Portuguese Speaking Countries for Natural Medicine Innovation (Macau)
  • 評審專家，廣東省基礎與應用基礎研究專案基金
  • Reviewer Board Member, Cancers
  • Editorial Board Member, Recent Patent on Anticancer Drug Discovery
  • Editorial Board Member, General Chemistry
  • Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  • Editorial Board Member, Scientific Reports, Nature Publishing Group
  • Editorial Board Member, Journal of Analytical & Molecular Techniques
  • Editorial Board Member, Austin Food Sciences
  • Member, The Consortium for Globalization of Chinese Medicine
  • Member, International Society of Chinese Medicine

  • Incentive Award Scheme for Outstanding Academic Staff 2018/2019
  • First Class Award, “無公害中藥材精細栽培關鍵技術與應用” 2018 中華中醫藥學會科學技術獎, China Association of Chinese Medicine
  • Third Class Award, “Key detection technologies for the monitoring of Chinese medicine and food safety” 2018 Macau Awards for Science and Technology, FDCT, Macao SAR
  • Incentive Award Scheme for Outstanding Academic Staff 2017/2018
  • Science and Technology Award Third Prize, China Association for Instrumental Analysis (CAIA) 2016/2017
  • Awardee of Faculty-level Academic Award Scheme 2016/2017
  • Second Class Award, “Key issues in Chinese medicine quality evaluation: Fundamental research and applications”
  • 2016 Macau Awards for Science and Technology, FDCT, Macao SAR
  • Second Class Award, “Modulation of biological targets involved in cancer development by Traditional Chinese Medicine and natural products”
  • 2014 Macau Awards for Science and Technology, FDCT, Macao SAR

  • Methods of using metal complexes to promote wound healing. Leung CH, Ma DL, Lin LG, Li GD, Ko CN, Li D, Yang C, (US Patent No. 17,805,747), 07 Jun, 2022
  • A luminescent iridium(III) complex and its uses thereof for the G-quadruplex-based switch-on rapid detection of lead ions. Ma DL, Lin S, Leung CH (US Patent Application No. US20170102331A1), 13 Apr 2017.
  • Methods of detecting helicase activity. Ma DL, Leung CH, He BY, Zhong HJ (US Patent No. 14,950,538), 24 Nov 2015.
  • Methods for antagonizing STAT3 dimerization and compounds for use therein. Leung CH, Ma DL, Wang HM (US Patent No. 9,657,044 B2), 23 May 2017.
  • An iridium(III)-based irreversible protein-protein interaction inhibitor of BRD4 as a potent anticancer agent. Leung CH, Ma DL, Wang HM, Zhong HJ (US Patent No. 9,840,526 B1), 12 Dec 2017.
  • Development of lead ion testing paper with naked-eye observable readout for ten min on-site detection. Ma DL, Leung CH, Ren K (US Patent Application No. US20170102330A1), 13 Apr 2017.
  • Development of lead ion testing paper with naked-eye observable readout for ten min on-site detection. Ma DL, Leung CH, Ren K (Hong Kong Short Term Patent No. HK1224889), 12 Oct 2016.

  • Postgraduate Science and Technology Research and Development Award, KANG Tian-Shu (Graduated student), 2020
  • Postgraduate Science and Technology Research and Development Award, LIU Li-Juan (Graduated student), 2018
  • Postgraduate Science and Technology Research and Development Award, YANG Chao (Graduated student), 2018
  • Postgraduate Science and Technology Research and Development Award, ZHONG Hai-Jing (Graduated student), 2016
  • Second Class Award, “Detection of 5’-3’ exonuclease activity using a metal-based luminescent switch-on probe”
    13th Challenge Cup, BOCOM (Bank of Communications) National College Students Extracurricular Scientific Work Competition, 2013

  1. Li GD, Li D, Wu C, Li SN, Chen F, Li P, Ko CN, Wang WH, Li MY, Lin LG*, Ma DL* and Leung CH (Corresponding author)*. (2022) Homocysteine-targeting compounds as a new treatment strategy for diabetic wounds via histone methyltransferase SET7/9 inhibition. Exp Mol Med. 54,988–998
  2. Chen F, Li GD, Wu C, Wang WH, Ma DL* and Leung CH (Corresponding author)*. (2021) A Rapid and Label-Free DNA-based Interference Reduction Nucleic Acid Amplification Strategy for Viral RNA Detection. Biosens Bioelectron. 198, 113829
  3. Cheng SS, Qu YQ, Wu J, Yang GJ, Liu H, Wang WH, Huang Q, Chen F, Li GD, Wong CY, Vincent Wong KW*, Ma DL*, and Leung CH (Corresponding author)*. (2021) Inhibition of the CDK9‒cyclin T1 protein‒protein interaction as a new approach against triple-negative breast cancer. Acta Pharm Sin B. 12, 1390-1405
  4. Li GD, Liu H, Feng RB, Kang TS, Wang WH, Ko CN, Wong CY, Ye M, Ma DL*, Wan JB* and Leung CH (Corresponding author)*. (2021) A bioactive ligand-conjugated iridium(III) metal-based complex as a Keap1–Nrf2 protein-protein interaction inhibitor against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury. Redox Biol. 48, 102129
  5. Li GD, Ko CN, Li D, Yang C, Wang WH, Yang GJ, Di Primo C, Wong KW, Xiang YZ, Lin LG*, Ma DL* and Leung CH (Corresponding author)*. (2021) A small molecule HIF-1α stabilizer that accelerates diabetic wound healing. Nat. Commun. 12, 3363.
  6. Wu C, Wu KJ, Liu JB, Wang WH, Leung CH (Corresponding author)* and Ma DL*. (2020) Structure-guided discovery of a luminescent theranostic toolkit for living cancer cells and the imaging behavior effect. Chem. Sci. 11, 11404.
    Front cover
  7. Wang WH, Wu KJ, Vellaisamy K, Leung CH (Corresponding author)* and Ma DL*. (2020) Peptide-conjugated long-lived theranostic imaging toolbox for targeting GRPr in cancer and immune cells. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 59, 17897.
    Inside cover
  8. Chen F, Li GD, Liu H, Leung CH (Corresponding author)*, Ma DL*. (2020) G-quadruplex-based detection of glyphosate in complex biological systems by a time-resolved luminescent assay. Sensor. Actuat. B Chem. 320, 128393.
  9. Li GD, Stuart AH, Liu H, Kang TS, Nao SC, Zhao YC, Wu C, Jin JW, Zhang JT, Leung CH (Corresponding author)*, Chan PHC*, Ma DL*. (2020) A robust photoluminescence screening assay identifies uracil-DNA glycosylase inhibitors against prostate cancer. Chem. Sci. 11, 1750.
    Front cover
  10. Ko CN, Li GD, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2019) Dual function luminescent transition metal complexes for cancer theranostics: the combination of diagnosis and therapy. Coord. Chem. Rev. 381, 79.
  11. Vellaisamy K, Li GD, Wang WH, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2018) A long-lived peptide-conjugated iridium(III) complex as a luminescent probe and inhibitor of the cell migration mediator, formyl peptide receptor 2. Chem. Sci. 9, 8171.
    Front cover
  12. Yang GJ, Wang WH, Mok SWF, Wu C, Law BYK, Miao XM, Wu KJ, Zhong HJ, Wong CY, Wong VKW,* Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2018) Selective inhibition of lysine-specific demethylase 5A (KDM5A) using a rhodium(III) complex for triple-negative breast cancer therapy. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 57, 13091.
    Inside back cover
  13. Yang GJ, Zhong HJ, Ko CN, Yu WS, Vellaisamy K, Ye M, Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2018) Identification of a rhodium(III) complex as a Wee1 inhibitor against TP53-mutated triple-negative breast cancer cells. Chem. Commun. 54, 2443.
    Front cover
  14. Vellaisamy K, Li GD, Ko CN, Zhong HJ, Fatima S, Kwan HY, Wong CY, Kwong WJ,* Tan WH,* Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2018) Cell imaging of dopamine receptor using agonist labeling iridium(III) complex. Chem. Sci. 9, 1075.
    Inside front cover
  15. Wang WH, Vellaisamy K, Li GD, Wu C, Ko CN, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2017) Development of a long-lived luminescence probe for visualizing β-galactosidase in ovarian carcinoma cells. Anal. Chem. 89, 11679.
  16. Sun H, Li WB, Dong ZZ, Hu C, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL,* Ren KN.* (2018) A suspending-droplet mode paper-based microfluidic platform for low-cost, rapid, and convenient detection of lead(II) ions in liquid solution. Biosens. Bioelectron. 99, 361.
  17. Liu LJ, Wang WH, Huang SY, Hong YJ, Li GD, Lin S, Tian JL, Cai ZW,* Wang HMD,* Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2017) Inhibition of the Ras/Raf interaction and repression of renal cancer xenografts in vivo by an enantiomeric iridium(III) metal-based compound. Chem. Sci. 8, 4756.
    Inside back cover
  18. Ko CN, Yang C, Lin S, Li SN, Dong ZZ, Liu JB,* Lee SMY,* Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2017) A long-lived phosphorescence iridium(III) complex as a switch on-off-on probe for live zebrafish monitoring of endogenous sulfide generation. Biosens. Bioelectron. 94, 575.
  19. Kang TS, Wang WH, Zhong HJ, Dong ZZ, Huang Q, Mok SWF, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Wong VKW,* Ma DL.* (2017) An anti-prostate cancer benzofuran-conjugated iridium(III) complex as a dual inhibitor of STAT3 and NF-κB. Cancer. Lett. 396, 76.
  20. Dong ZZ, Lu LH, Wang WH, Li GD, Kang TS, Han QB, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2017) Luminescent detection of nicking endonuclease Nb.BsmI activity by using a G-quadruplex-selective iridium(III) complex in aqueous solution. Sensor. Actuat. B Chem. 246, 826.
  21. Yang C, Wang WH, Liang JX, Li GD, Vellaisamy K, Wong CY, Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2017) A rhodium(III)-based inhibitor of lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 as an epigenetic modulator in prostate cancer cells. J. Med. Chem. 60, 2597.
  22. Wang WH, Yang C, Lin S, Vellaisamy K, Li GD, Tan WH,* Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2017) First synthesis of an oridonin-conjugated iridium(III) complex for the intracellular tracking of NF-κB in living cells. Chem. Eur. J. 23, 4929.
  23. Liu CF, Yang C, Lu L, Wang WH, Tan WH,* Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2017) Luminescent iridium(III) complexes as COX-2-specific imaging agents in cancer cells. Chem. Commun. 53, 2822.
    Back cover
  24. Dong ZZ, Lu L, Ko CN, Yang C, Li S, Lee MY, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2017) A MnO2 nanosheet-assisted GSH detection platform by using iridium(III) complex as a switch-on luminescent probe. Nanoscale. 9, 4631.
    Inside front cover
  25. Zhong HJ,* Wang WH, Kang TS, Yan H, Yang YL, Xu LP, Wang YQ, Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2016) A rhodium(III) complex as an inhibitor of neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated 8-activating enzyme with in vivo activity against inflammatory bowel disease. J. Med. Chem. 60, 497.
  26. Ma DL,* Lin S, Wang WH, Yang C, Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2017) Luminescent chemosensors by using cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes and their applications. Chem. Sci. 8, 878.
  27. Lin S, Lu L, Kang TS, Mergny JL, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2016) The interaction of an iridium(III) complex with G-quadruplex DNA and its application in luminescent switch-on detection of Siglec-5. Anal. Chem. 88, 10290.
  28. Yang C, Wang WH, Chen LM, Liang JX, Lin S, Lee SMY, Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2016) Discovery of a VHL and HIF1α interaction inhibitor with in vivo angiogenic activity by structure-based virtual screening. Chem. Commun. 52, 12837.
  29. Liu LJ, Wang WH, Zhong Z, Lin S, Lu L, Wang YT, Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2016) Inhibition of TLR1/2 dimerization by enantiomers of metal complexes. Chem. Commun. 52, 12278.
    Front cover
  30. Lin S, Kang TS, Lu L, Wang WH, Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2016) A G-quadruplex-selective luminescent probe with an anchor tail for the switch-on detection of thymine DNA glycosylase activity. Biosens. Bioelectron. 86, 849.
  31. Ma DL,* Wang M, Liu CF, Miao XM, Kang TS, Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2016) Metal complexes for the detection of disease-related protein biomarkers. Coord. Chem. Rev. 324, 90.
  32. Lu L,* Mao ZF, Kang TS, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2016) A versatile nanomachine for the sensitive detection of platelet-derived growth factor-BB utilizing a G-quadruplex-selective iridium(III) complex. Biosens. Bioelectron. 85, 300.
  33. Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Liu LJ, Leung KH, Ma DL.* (2016) Epigenetic modulation by inorganic metal complexes. Coord. Chem. Rev. 319, 25.
  34. Kang TS, Mao ZF, Ng CT, Wang M, Wang WH, Wang CM, Lee SMY, Wang YT, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2016) Identification of an Iridium(III)-Based Inhibitor of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α. J. Med. Chem. 59, 4026.
  35. Zhong HJ, Lee BR, Boyle JW, Wang WH, Ma DL,* Chan PWH,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2016) Structure-based screening and optimization of cytisine derivatives as inhibitors of the menin-MLL interaction. Chem. Commun. 52, 5788.
    Front cover
  36. Liu LJ, He BY, Miles JA, Wang WH, Mao ZF, Che WI, Lu JJ, Chen XP, Wilson AJ, Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2016) Inhibition of the p53/hDM2 protein-protein interaction by cyclometallated iridium (III) compounds. Oncotarget. 7, 13965.
  37. Zhong HJ, Lu L, Wong CL-C , Peng C, Yan SC, Ma DL,* Cai ZW,* Wang HMD* and Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2015) An iridium(III)-based irreversible protein-protein interaction inhibitor of BRD4 as a potent anticancer agent. Chem. Sci. 6, 5400.
  38. Liu LJ, Lu L, Zhong HJ, He BY, Kwong D, Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2015) An Iridium(Ⅲ) complex inhibits JMJD2 activities and acts as a potential epigenetic modulator. J. Med. Chem. 16, 6697
  39. Wang WH, Mao ZF, Wang M, Liu LJ, Kwong DWJ, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2016) A long lifetime luminescent iridium(III) complex chemosensor for selective switch-on detection of Al3+ ions. Chem. Commun. 52, 3611.
    Front cover
  40. Lin S, Yang C, Mao Z, He BY, Wang YT, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2016) A G-pentaplex-based assay for Cs(+) ions in aqueous solution using a luminescent Ir(III) complex. Biosens. Bioelectron. 77, 609.
  41. Leung KH, He BY, Yang C, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Wang HM,* Ma DL.* (2015) Development of an aptamer-based sensing platform for metal ions, proteins and small molecules through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-induced G-quadruplex formation. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 7, 24046.
  42. Lin S, He B, Yang C, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Mergny JL,* Ma DL.* (2015) Luminescence switch-on assay of interferon-gamma using a G-quadruplex-selective iridium(III) complex. Chem. Commun. 51, 16033.
    Front cover
  43. Zhong Z, Liu LJ, Dong ZQ, Lu L, Wang M, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL,* Wang YT.* (2015) Structure-based discovery of an immunomodulatory inhibitor of TLR1-TLR2 heterodimerization from a natural product-like database. Chem. Commun. 51, 11178.
  44. Lu L, Wang M, Liu LJ, Wong CY, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2015) A luminescence switch-on probe for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) activity detection by using an iridium(III)-based i-motif probe. Chem. Commun. 49, 9953.
  45. Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Liu LJ, Lu L, He B, Kwong DWJ, Wong CY,* Ma DL.* (2015) A metal-based tumour necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme inhibitor. Chem. Commun. 51, 3973.
    Front cover
  46. Leung KH, He HZ, Zhong HJ, Lin S, Wang YT, Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2015) Label-free luminescence switch-on detection of hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase activity using a G-quadruplex-selective probe. Chem. Sci. 6, 2166.
    Front cover
  47. Ma DL,* Chan DSH, Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2014) Group 9 organometallic compounds for therapeutic and bioanalytical applications. Acc Chem. Res. 47, 3614.
  48. Lu L, Chan DSH, Kwong DWJ, He HZ,* Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2014) Detection of nicking endonuclease activity using a G-quadruplex-selective luminescent switch-on probe. Chem. Sci. 5, 4561.
    Inside front cover
  49. Ma DL,* Chan DSH, Wei G, Zhong HJ, Yang H, Leung LT, Gullen EA, Chiu P,* Cheng YC,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2014) Virtual screening and optimization of Type II inhibitors of JAK2 from a natural product library. Chem. Commun. 50, 13885.
    Inside front cover
  50. Ma DL,* Liu LJ, Leung KH, Chen YT, Zhong HJ, Chan DSH, Wang HMD,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2014) Antagonising STAT3 dimerization with a rhodium(III) complex. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 53, 9178.
    Back cover
    Selected as very important paper
    Highlighted by SciBX, Nature Publishing Group, 2014, 7(26)
  51. Liu LJ, Leung KH, Chan DSH, Wang YT, Ma DL,* Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2014) Identification of a natural product-like STAT3 dimerization inhibitor by structure-based virtual screening. Cell Death. Dis. 5, e1293.
  52. He HZ, Leung KH, Wang W, Chan DSH, Leung CH, Ma DL.* (2014) Label-free luminescence switch-on detection of T4 polynucleotide kinase activity using a G-quadruplex-selective probe. Chem. Commun. 50, 5313.
    Inside front cover
  53. Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Zhong HJ, Chan DSH, Ma DL.* (2013) Bioactive iridium and rhodium complexes as therapeutic agents. Coord. Chem. Rev. 257, 1764.
  54. Leung KH, He HZ, Ma VPY, Zhong HJ, Chan DSH, Zhou J, Mergny JL, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2013) Detection of base excision repair enzyme activity using a luminescent G-quadruplex selective switch-on probe. Chem. Commun. 49, 5630.
    Front cover
  55. Ma DL,* Chan DSH, Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2013) Drug repositioning by structure-based virtual screening. Chem. Soc. Rev. 42, 2130.
  56. Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Zhong HJ, Yang H, Cheng Z, Chan DSH, Ma VPY, Abagyan R, Wong CY, Ma DL.* (2012) A metal-based inhibitor of tumor-necrosis factor-alpha. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 51, 9010.
    Frontispiece
  57. Ma DL,* Xu T, Chan DSH, Man BYW, Fong WF, Leung CH (Corresponding author).* (2011) A Highly Selective, Label-Free, Homogenous Luminescent Switch-On Probe for the Detection of Nanomolar Transcription Factor NF-κB. Nucleic Acids Res. 39, e67.
  58. Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Chan DSH, Man BYW, Wang CJ, Lam W, Cheng YC, Fong WF, Hsiao WLW, Ma DL.* (2011) Simple and convenient G-quadruplex-based turn-on fluorescence assay for 3’-5’exonuclease activity. Anal. Chem. 83, 463.
    Front cover
  59. Chan DSH, Lee HM, Yang F, Che CM, Wong CCL, Abagyan R, Leung CH (Corresponding author),* Ma DL.* (2010) Structure-Based Discovery of Natural Product-Like TNF-alpha Inhibitors. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 49, 2860.
    Frontispiece
    A hot paper chosen by the Editors for its importance in a rapidly evolving field of high current interest
    Highlighted by SciBX, Nature Publishing Group, 2010, 3(13)