BSc (Pharm) Hons, National University of Singapore, Singapore;
PhD (Pharm), University of Nottingham, United Kingdom


Curriculum Vitae

Contact Information:
Department of Pharmacy
National University of Singapore
18 Science Drive 4
Singapore 117543
Tel: +65 6516 1995
Fax: +65 6779 1554
Email: phaceh@nus.edu.sg

Research

I am involved in cancer research, with interests focused on 1) the study of cellular redox signaling and 2) the characterization and development of potential anticancer agents. It is my ultimate goal to achieve a better understanding of the involvement of redox signaling in malignant transformation and to employ this knowledge for the identification and development of rational therapeutic strategies.

It is increasingly recognized that redox-dependent modifications of signaling intermediates and transcription factors plays an important role in cellular signal transduction and regulation of gene expression. In cancer, one important basis for therapeutic strategies is to selectively perturb cellular antioxidant systems or cellular redox state-sustaining systems in malignant cells. In particular, many natural or synthetic compounds, including a number of chemotherapeutic agents have been recognized to target the thioredoxin and glutathione redox systems. Structurally diversified, small-molecule inhibitors of the thioredoxin system are observed to share in common electrophilic propensities for sulfhydryl groups. My research program therefore aims to address the following areas:

1. Identification of redox molecules and pathways as valid anticancer drug targets.
2. Characterization of how the thioredoxin system contributes to tumorigenesis.
3. Elucidation of molecular mechanisms of antitumor action of novel compounds.
4. Evaluation of naturally occurring or semi-synthetic electrophilic compounds on their reactivity on the thiol redox systems and their ability to induce expression of cytoprotective enzymes, so as to explore the potential of developing them into chemotherapeutics or chemopreventive agents.