S.H. Ho Research Professor of Visual Sciences

BSc (Lond), DPhil (Oxon), FARVO

Contact :

(852) 3943 5801

Academic Appointments

  • S.H. Ho Research Professor of Visual Sciences, CUHK
  • Director, Joint Shantou International Eye Center (JSIEC) of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong 

Biography

Prof Pang received BSc (Hon) in Biochemistry in 1978, University of London, and DPhil in 1982, University of Oxford, on an EP Abraham Research Fund Scholarship, followed by postdoctoral research in Oxford. In December 1983, Prof Pang was appointed Lecturer in Chemical Pathology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and became a Professor in 1995. In 1998, Prof Pang moved to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) of CUHK. He was appointed Chair Professor in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in 2008 and bestowed the S.H. Ho Professorship in Visual Sciences in 2010. From 2012 to 2015 Prof Pang was Chairman of the Department. Since 2012 he is Director of the Shantou University/CUHK Joint Shantou International Eye Center.

Prof Pang has served as academic assessor or reviewer of more than 25 funding and scientific institutions worldwide, including the Wellcome Trust (UK), National Eye Institute (USA), ARVO (USA), National Medical Research Council (Singapore), Ministry of Health (Singapore), Health Research Board (Ireland), Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research (Spain), National Science Foundation China, Changjiang Scholar Program China, and Ophthalmology Basis Research Advancement Committee, Chinese Ophthalmological Society, Chinese Medical Association.  He is also external examiner or visiting professor of more than 30 academic institutions including University of Melbourne, Flinders University Australia, Purdue University USA, National University of Singapore, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Israel, Peking University, Shanghai Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.  Prof Pang has been convener of the visual sciences programmes of Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO), World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) and International Society for Eye Research (ISER) Congresses.

Prof Pang has delivered more than 300 invited lectures nationally and internationally. He received the China State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (SSTPA) second-class award in 2016, Special Achievement Award of Chinese Ophthalmological Society in 2017, and Senior Achievement Award, APAO in 2018. In 2017 Prof Pang delivered the National Institute of Health – Global Health Vision Lecture, Bethesda, USA. In 2018 Prof Pang became a Fellow of ARVO and has been honoured as the 2020 ARVO Foundation honoree. In 2021, Prof Pang was conferred ‘Honorary Fellow’ of the College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong.

Research Areas

  1. Molecular genomics, gene mapping and identification, whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, and GWAS, on complex eye diseases: primary open angle glaucoma, primary angle closure glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, polypoidal choridal vasculopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, myopia, uveitis, thyroid eye diseases and keratoconus.
  2. Molecular genetics, epi-genetics risk factors and mechanisms: glaucoma, macular diseases, retinoblastoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, myopia, uveitis, thyroid eye diseases and dry eye diseases.
  3. Biology of human ocular cells: trabecular meshwork cells, periodontal ligament-derived neural crest stem cells, corneal progenitor cells, ciliary and iris epithelial cells, adipose tissue derived stromal cells, retinoblastoma cells, and retinal ganglion cells.
  4. Metabolomics and animal models of eye diseases: optic nerve crush, elevated IOP, retina degeneration, experimental induced uveitis, and experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.
  5. Therapeutic effects and pharmacokinetics of small herbal molecules, green tea extract, catechins, neuropeptides as agonists and antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor in ocular oxidative stress, inflammations, and degeneration.
  6. Risk factors, genetics and prevention of children eye diseases and childhood myopia. The concept of health care through children eye care.
  7. Applications of artificial intelligence to detection of complex eye diseases and robotics.
  8. Contemporary medical issues such as ophthalmic effects of Covid-19.

Research Programmes

  1. Molecular genomics, gene identification, whole-genome association studies, exome sequencing, on primary open angle glaucoma, primary angle closure glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, myopia, uveitis, and thyroid eye diseases.
  2. Disease mechanisms and novel treatments of glaucoma, complex macular diseases, retinoblastoma, myopia, uveitis, thyroid eye diseases, and retinitis pigmentosa.
  3. Animal models of eye diseases for studies in green tea catechins and GHRH receptor antagonists in ocular oxidative stress and inflammation.
  4. Children eye diseases: retinoblastoma mechanism, refractive errors, ocular traits, myopia prevention, epidemiology, genetics. Concept of ‘Child health through children eye care’.
  5. Cell free therapies by mitochondria and exosomes for optic neuropathies and neovascular macular diseases.
  6. Applications of artificial intelligence to detection of eye diseases and robotics.

Accomplishments

  1. Identification of novel gene loci and variants for complex eye diseases through international consortiums and collaborations.
  2. Identification of new genes and gene variants of complex eye diseases with Prof. Guy LJ CHEN and genetics team.
  3. Establishment of ethnic differentiations in glaucoma, AMD and PCV genes.
  4. Confirmation of the involvements of ocular inflammation of the GHRH-GH-IGF1 Axis and therapeutic potential of GHRH-R antagonists with Dr CHU Wai Kit, Dr LP Cen, Prof. SO Chan and laboratory-based teams.
  5. Establishment of the anti-oxidative properties and therapeutic potential of green tea catechins.
  6. Establishment of AI (artificial intelligence) protocols in ophthalmology with CUHK and JSIEC AI teams.
  7. Discoveries and remedies of ophthalmic issues due to COVID-19 with CUHK COVID-19 study teams.
  8. Establishment of risk factors of childhood myopia and treatment protocols for prevention of progression with Dr Jason CS YAM and Children Eye Study team.
  9. Recipient of the China State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (2016), Special Achievement Award Chinese Ophthalmological Society (2017), Honorary Fellow, HK College of Ophthalmologists (2021) and ARVO honoree (2021).

Representative Publications:

(*corresponding or senior author)

  1. Agyekum S, Chan PP, Adjei PE, Zhang Y, Huo Z, Yip BHK, Ip P, Wong ICK, Zhang W, Tham CC, Chen LJ, Zhang XJ, Pang CP*, Yam JC. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Myopia Progression Interventions in Children. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Nov 1;6(11):e2340986.
  2. Ng TK, Chu KO, Wang CC, Pang CP*. Green Tea Catechins as Therapeutic Antioxidants for Glaucoma Treatment. Antioxidants. 2023 Jun; 12(7):1320.
  3. Du L, Ho BM, Zhou L, Yip YWY, He JN, Wei Y, Tham CC, Chan SO, Schally AV, Pang CP*, Li J, Chu WK. Growth hormone releasing hormone signaling promotes Th17 cell differentiation and autoimmune inflammation. Nat Commun. 2023 Jun 6;14(1):3298.
  4. Zhang XJ, Zhang Y, Kam KW, … Pang CP*, Yam JC. Prevalence of Myopia in Children Before, During, and After COVID-19 Restrictions in Hong Kong. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Mar 1;6(3):e234080.
  5. Yam JC, Zhang XJ, Zhang Y, … Tham CC, Chen LJ, Pang CP. Effect of Low-Concentration Atropine Eyedrops vs Placebo on Myopia Incidence in Children: The LAMP2 Randomized Clinical Trial. 2023 Feb 14;329(6):472-481.
  6. Cen LP, Ng TK, Chu WK, Pang CP*. Growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor signaling in experimental ocular inflammation and neuroprotection. Neural Regen Res. 2022 Dec;17:2643-2648.
  7. Yam JC, Zhang XJ, Zhang Y, … Tham CC, Chen LJ, Pang CP. Three-Year Clinical Trial of Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study: Continued Versus Washout: Phase 3 Report. 2022 Mar;129:308-321.
  8. Wong ES, Choy RW, Zhang Y, Chu WK, Chen LJ, Pang CP, Yam JC. Global retinoblastoma survival and globe preservation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of associations with socioeconomic and health-care factors. Lancet Glob Health. 2022 Mar;10(3):e380-e389.
  9. Cen LP, Ji J, Lin JW, … Pang CP, Zhang M. Automatic detection of 39 fundus diseases and conditions in retinal photographs using deep neural networks. Nat Commun. 2021 Aug 10;12(1):4828.
  10. Cen LP, Ng TK, Liang JJ, … Pang CP*. Agonist of growth hormone-releasing hormone enhances retinal ganglion cell protection induced by macrophages after optic nerve injury. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2021 Jul 13;118(28):e1920834118.
  11. Yam JC, Jiang Y, Tang SM, … Tham CC, Chen LJ, Pang CP. Low-concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 0.05%, 0.025% and 0.01% Atropine eye drops in myopia control. 2019 Jan;126(1):113-124.
  12. Chu KO, Chan KP, Chan SO, Ng TK, Jhanji V, Wang CC, Pang CP*. Metabolomics of green-tea catechins on vascular-endothelial-growth-factor-stimulated human-endothelial-cell survival. J Agric Food Chem. 2018 Dec 5;66(48):12866-12875.
  13. Cen LP, Ng TK, Liang JJ, … Pang CP*. Human periodontal ligament-derived stem cells promote retinal ganglion cell survival and axon regeneration after optic nerve injury. Stem Cells. 2018 Jun;36(6):844-855.
  14. Chu WK, Law KS, Chan SO, Yam JC, Chen LJ, Zhang H, Cheung HS, Block NL, Schally AV, Pang CP*. Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor induce apoptosis specifically in retinoblastoma cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2016 Dec 13;113(50):14396-14401.
  15. Huang L, Zhang H, Cheng CY, Wen F, Tam PO, Zhao P, Chen L, … Pang CP, Yoshimura N, Yang Z. A missense variant in FGD6 confers increased risk of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Nat Genet. 2016 Jun;48(6):640-7.
  16. Khor CC, Do T, Jia H, Nakano M, George R, Chen LJ, … Pang CP, Tham CC. Genome-wide association study identifies five new susceptibility loci for primary angle closure glaucoma. Nat Genet. 2016 May;48(5):556-62.
  17. Qin YJ, Chan SO, Chong KK, … Pang CP*. Antagonist of GH-releasing hormone receptor alleviates experimental ocular inflammation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2014 Dec 23;111(51):18303-8.
  18. Liu K, Chen LJ, Tam PO, Shi Y, Lai TY, Liu DT, Chiang SW, Yang M, Yang Z, Pang CP*. Associations of the C2-CFB-RDBP-SKIV2L locus with age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Ophthalmology. 2013 Apr;120(4):837-43.
  19. Vithana EN, Khor CC, Qiao C, Nongpiur ME, George R, Chen LJ, … Pang CP, Wang N, Aung T. Genome-wide association analyses identify three new susceptibility loci for primary angle closure glaucoma. Nat Genet. 2012 Oct;44(10):1142-6.
  20. DeWan A, Liu M, Hartman S, Zhang S, Liu DTL, Zhao C, Tam POS, Chan WM, Lam DSC, Snyder M, Barnstable C, Pang CP, Hoh J. HTRA1 Promoter Polymorphism in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Science. Nov 2006;314:989-992.

 

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