Name Card
rp00240 picture

Professor Ho, Shu Leong 何樹良

Title:
Henry G Leong Professor in Neurology
Clinical Professor
Henry G Leong Professor in Neurology

Contact Information
Professional Qualifications
YearAwarding InstitutionQualification
1986University of Wales College of MedicineMB BCh
1989Royal College of PhysiciansMRCP
1995University of Wales College of MedicineMD
1995Hong Kong Academy of MedicineFHKCP
1996Hong Kong Academy of MedicineFHKAM
1998Royal College of Physicians of EdinburghFRCP
1999Royal College of PhysiciansFRCP
2000Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of GlasgowFRCP
Biography

Obtained MB BCh from University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK (1986). General medical rotations in Coventry, Manchester and Birmingham (1987-89), with MRCP (1989). Trained in Neurology in different hospitals in Birmingham with Clinical Research Fellowship at the University of Birmingham, UK (1989-1994). Obtained MD (Wales) in 1995 from exploring the role of xenobiotic enzymes including mono-oxidase-B (MAOB) in Parkinson’s disease. Joined HKU in 1994 as a Lecturer, appointed as Associate Professor in 1997, and as Clinical Professor in 2006. Awarded FHKCP in 1995, FHKAM in 1996, and FRCP of the three Royal Colleges in 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively. Endowed with the Henry G Leong Professorship in Neurology in 2008. Chief of Division (Academic & Clinical Services) in Neurology in HKU and Queen Mary Hospital since 1997.

 

Research work

I lead a research team in HKU focusing mainly on Parkinson’s disease (PD), its etiology, pathogenesis and exploring therapeutic methods to modify these processes. Our earlier research described how a ubiquitous xenobiotic enzyme, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) provided the link between the effects of estrogen and PD. This project delivered tangible materials including human COMT antibodies and a patented COMT ELISA assay containing a unique synthetic 18 amino acid polypeptide protein tag. This enzyme assay can quantify the estrogenic effects of environmental pollutants, such as PCBs and plasticizers linked to cancer and neurodegeneration. It is being used by our collaborators in environmental sciences to study the extent and effects of marine pollution in Hong Kong on human health.

 

In a later project, we focused on mitochondrial dysfunction, an important pathogenic process involved in PD. We described and elucidated some of the neuroprotective mechanisms of mitochondrial neuronal uncoupling proteins (UCPs) in experimental models of PD. We have developed methods and materials including antibodies to human neuronal uncoupling proteins (UCP4 and 5). Our studies uncovered a novel link between UCPs and nuclear-factor kappa-B (NF-kB), and more specifically the c-Rel pro-survival pathway, which can be a potential therapeutic target in PD. In parallel studies, we described the beneficial effects of leptin (a regulator of metabolism) on neuronal survival being mediated via UCP2, supporting a link between metabolic pathways and pathogenic processes in PD. We also elucidated how UCP4 interacted with mitochondrial Complex II to preserve ATP synthesis under cellular stress.

 

 

In our latest project, we developed a unique colony of an experimental mouse model with a leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2) knockin mutation (C57BL/6N background) based on the mutation found in familial PD. We found abnormal locomotor behavior with impaired recovery in young mutant mice associated with defective synaptosomal dopamine uptake at their striatal pre-synaptic nerve terminals compared with wildtype controls following reserpine-induced dopamine depletion. Our current work focuses on pathogenic mechanisms involved in LRRK2-related PD. Parallel studies are being conducted to explore genetic-environmental interactions in these pathogenic processes. One key aim is to deliver unique materials in unraveling the pathogenic processes of PD and develop therapeutic methods to alleviate them.

 

 

Over the past 15 years, we have been documenting and collecting biological samples with various neurodegenerative disorders, including PD, sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), familial ALS associated with SOD1, spinocerebellar ataxias and hereditary sensory motor neuropathies, with ongoing collaborative metabonomics and neuroimaging studies to explore for biomarkers and neuroimaging in PD and ALS.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Honours, Awards & Prizes
AwardeesAward DateHonours / Awards / PrizesCategory
2014-03-01Best Free Paper Award (First Runner-up): Antiplatelet Drugs Resumption after Antiplatelet-related Intra-cerebral Haemorrhage: 14th Asian & Oceanian Congress of Neurology
Research Achievement
SO, Hon Fai
Kung, MHW
Ramsden, DB
Ho, WM
Liu, H
Tse, HM
2011-04-01International Scholarship Award (AAN) 2011: American Academy of Neurology’s 2011
Research Achievement
Kung, MHW
YIU, Chi Wai
Ho, WM
Ramsden, DB
Liu, H
2010-03-01"Emerging role of mitochondrial uncoupling protein-4 in neuronal differentiation and survival" - Young Investigator Award for the Oral Category: Fifth International Symposium on Healthy Aging: Is Aging a Disease? The Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone & Healthy Aging, The University of Hong Kong, 6-7 March 2010.
Research Achievement
Ho, WM
2010-01-01Best Abstract In Clinical Medicine: 15th Medical Research Conference, Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Research Achievement
Chang, SKR
2014-10-01ePoster Award (First Prize, Frontiers Series – East-West Alliance Global Symposia): "Establishing an eLearning Platform in Clinical Neurosciences at HKU": HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
Teaching Accomplishment
Professional Societies
Term PeriodPositionProfessional Societies
1998 to 2002MemberEuropean Neurological Society
1994 to 1996Council MemberHong Kong Neurological Society
1997 to 2011Ordinary MemberHong Kong Neurological Society
2004MemberMedical Research Grants Council, UK
2001MemberResearch Committee, Hong Kong Baptist University
1998 to dateCorresponding FellowAmerican Academy of Neurology
2009 to dateInternational Relations Committee- adhoc memberAmerican Academy of Neurology
2010 to 2012Ambassador in Hong KongAmerican Academy of Neurology
1996 to dateTrainer in NeurologyHong Kong College of Physicians
1997 to 2007Regional Programme Director for Hong Kong Island (Neurology Specialty Board)Hong Kong College of Physicians
1998 to dateExaminer in Exit and Annual Assessments for Accreditation in NeurologyHong Kong College of Physicians
2002 to dateMRCP Examination CommitteeHong Kong College of Physicians
1999 to 2002MemberSociety for Neuroscience
1997 to 2005Working Group in Neurological Services (Hong Kong)Hospital Authority
2000 to 2005Member of Advisory Committee, Department of Rehabilitation SciencesHong Kong Polytechnic University
2014 to dateChairman of Departmental Advisory Committee, Department of Rehabilitation SciencesHong Kong Polytechnic University
1994 to dateMemberMovement Disorder Society
1999 to 2010Liaison Officer for Hong KongMovement Disorder Society
2005 to 2009International Executive Committee MemberMovement Disorder Society
2005 to 2006Asian Oceanian Section - TreasurerMovement Disorder Society
2005 to 2006Membership Committee MemberMovement Disorder Society
2005 to 2006Nominations Committee MemberMovement Disorder Society
2007 to 2009Asian Oceanian Section - Education Committee, Co-ChairMovement Disorder Society
2006 to 2013Development Committee memberMovement Disorder Society
2011 to 2013Financial Affairs Committee memberMovement Disorder Society
1998MemberResearch Grants Council, Hong Kong
2007 to 2014Panel of AssessorsHong Kong Medical council
2008 to 2011Member, Steering Committee, Center of Excellence in NeuroscienceFood & Health Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR
2012 to dateExternal AssessorUniversity of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1992 to 1994MemberMedical Student Research Ethics Subcommittee, University of Birmingham, UK
Loading Content...Please Wait!
Loading Content...Please Wait!
Loading Content...Please Wait!
Loading Content...Please Wait!
Loading Content...Please Wait!
Loading Content...Please Wait!
Loading Content...Please Wait!