Prof. LO Pik Kwan Peggy | Department of Chemistry

Prof. LO Pik Kwan Peggy

羅璧君教授

PhD (McGill)

Associate Professor of Department of Chemistry

Contact Information

Office:	YEUNG-P5106
Phone:	+852 3442-7840
Fax:	+852 3442-0522
Email:	peggylo@cityu.edu.hk
Web:	Personal Homepage
ORCID ID:	0000-0001-5255-1718
Scopus Author ID:	12238771400

Research Interests

Chemical Biology
DNA Chemistry
Synthetic Chemistry
Biomimetics
Biomolecular Sensing
Bioimaging

Dr. Peggy Lo obtained her B.Sc and M.Phil. from Hong Kong Baptist University. Afterwards, she received her Ph.D. from McGill University in Canada under the supervision of Prof. Hanadi. F Sleiman. She then moved to the United States for her postdoctoral research at Harvard University with Professor Hongkun Park from 2010 to 2012. She was an Assistant Professor at City University of Hong Kong since 2012 and got promoted to Associate Professor in 2018. Dr Lo has published over 41 peer-reviewed research articles in the leading international journals in the past years including Nature, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Chemistry, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., JACS, Small, Nanoscale, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Chem. Commun,, Adv. Healthcare Materials, etc. In 2016, she was selected to receive one of The President’s Awards 2016. She has served as one of the editorial board members in Scientific Reports in Chemical Biology division since 2016. Her research area is highly interdisciplinary and lies at the interface between chemistry, biology, nanotechnology and materials science. Her research interest lies in developing multifunctional nano-sized materials and applying them for biomedical and technological applications.

Publications

F. Wang, P. Li, H. C. Chu, P. K. Lo. “Nucleic Acids and Their Analogues for Biomedical Applications” Biosensors 2022, 12(2), 93.
F. Wang, L. S. Liu, P. Li, H. M. Leung, D. Y. Tam, P. K. Lo. “Biologically Stable Threose Nucleic Acid-Based Probes for Real-Time microRNA Detection and Imaging in Living Cells” Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids 2022, 27, 787-796.
F. Wang, X. Men, Ha. Chen, F.Mi, M. Xu, X. Men, Z. Yuan, P. K. Lo “Second Near Infrared Photoactivatable Biocompatible Polymer Nanoparticles for Effective in Vitro and in Vivo Cancer Theranostics” Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 13410-13420.
H. M. Leung, C. H. Lau, J. W. -T. Ho, M. S. Chan, T. J. H. Chang, L. H. Law, F. Wang D. Y. Tam, L. S. Liu, K. W. Y. Chan, C. Tin, P. K. Lo. “Targeted Brain Tumor Imaging by Using Discrete Biopolymer-Coated Nanodiamonds across the Blood Brain Barrier” Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 3184 – 3193.
L. S. Liu, F. Wang, Y. Ge, P. K. Lo. " Recent Developments in Aptasensors for Diagnostic Applications" ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2021, 13, 9329–9358.
D. Y. Tam, J. W.-T Ho, M. S. Chan, C. H. Lau, T. J. H. Chang, H. M. Leung, L. S. Liu, F. Wang, L. L. H. Chan, C. Tin, P. K. Lo. "Penetrating the Blood–Brain Barrier by Self-Assembled 3D DNA Nanocages as Drug Delivery Vehicles for Brain Cancer Therapy" ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2020, 12, 28928−28940.
M. S. Chan, H. M. Leung, S. W. Wong, Z. Lin, Q. Gao, T. J. H. Chang, K. W. C. Lai, P. K. Lo. “Reversible Reconfiguration of Well-Defined High-Order DNA Nanostructures by G-Quadruplex-Mediated Assembly Approach” Nanoscale, 2020, 12, 2464-2471.
F. Wang, H. Chen, Z. Liu, F. Mi, X. Fang, J. Liu, M. Wang, P. K. Lo, Q, Li. “Conjugated polymer dots for biocompatible siRNA delivery” New J. Chem., 2019, 43, 14443-14449.
F. Wang, L. S. Liu, C. H. Lau, T. J. H. Chang, D. Y. Tam, H. M. Leung, C. Tin, P. K. Lo. “Synthetic α-L-Threose Nucleic Acids Targeting BcL-2 Show Gene Silencing and in Vivo Antitumor Activity for Cancer Therapy” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2019, 11, 38510-38518.
L. Wei, H. M. Leung, Y. Tian, P. K. Lo, D. Ho. “Fully-Integrated Liquid-core Waveguide Fluorescence Lifetime Detection Microsystem for DNA Biosensing” 2019, IEEE Access, Accepted, 10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2934764.
C. H. Lau, J. W. T. Ho, P. K. Lo, C. Tin. “Targeted Transgene Activation in the Brain Tissue by Systemic Delivery of Engineered AAV1 Expressing CRISPRa” Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids 2019, 16, 637-649.
M. S. Chan, R. Landig, J. Choi, H. Zhou, X. Liao, M. D. Lukin, H. Park, P. K. Lo. “Stepwise Ligand-Induced Self-Assembly for Facile Fabrication of Nanodiamond-Gold Nanoparticle Dimers via Non-Covalent Biotin-Streptavidin Interactions” Nano Lett. 2019 19, 2020-2026.
D. Y. Tam, X. Zhuang, P. K. Lo. “Photo-Responsive Self-Assembled DNA Nanomaterials: Design, Working Principles and Applications” Small 2019, 15, 1805481.
Z. Dai, H. M. Leung, Q. Gao, F. Wang, S. W. Wong, L. S. Liu, Y. J. Au, K. W. C. Lai, P. K. Lo. “Facile Construction of DNA Tetrahedron in Unconventional Ladder-Like Arrangements at Room Temperature”, Nanoscale Adv. 2019, 1, 1240-1248.
H. M. Leung, M. S. Chan, L. S. Liu, S. W. Wong, T. W. Lo, C. H, Lau, C. Tin, P. K. Lo. “Dual-Function, Cationic Peptide-Coated Nanodiamond Systems: Facilitating Nuclear-Targeting Delivery for Enhanced Gene Therapy Applications”, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2018, 6, 9671–9681.
L. S. Liu, H. M. Leung, D. Y. Tam, T. W. Lo, S. W. Wong, P. K. Lo. “α-L-Threose Nucleic Acids as Biocompatible Antisense Oligonucleotides for Suppressing Gene Expression in Living Cells” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2018, 10, 9736-9743.
Z. Dai, P. K. Lo. “Photo-switchable patterning of gold nanoparticles along 3D DNA nanotubes” Nanoscale 2018, 10, 5431-5435.
D. Y. Tam, H. M. Leung, M. S. Chan, P. K. Lo. “G-Quadruplex-Mediated Molecular Switching of Self-Assembled 3D DNA Nanocages” ChemNanoMat 2017, 3, 750-754.
G. Wu, Z. Dai, X. Tang, Z. Lin, P. K. Lo, M. Meryyappan, K. W. C. Lai. “Graphene Field-Effect Transistors for the Sensitive and Selective Detection of Escherichia Coli Using Pyrene-Tagged DNA Aptamer” Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2017, 6, 1700736.
M. S. Chan, H. M. Leung, L. S. Liu, P. K. Lo. “Cancer-Cell-Specific Mitochondria-Targeted Drug Delivery by Dual-Ligand-Functionalized Nanodiamonds Circumvents Drug Resistance” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2017, 9, 11780-11789.
R. Chen, J. Zhang, J. Chelora, Y. Xiong, S. Kershaw, K. F. Li, P. K. Lo, K. W. Cheah, A. L. Rogach, J. A. Zapien, C. S. Lee. “Ruthenium (II) Complex Incorporated UiO-67 Metal-Organic Frameworks Nanoparticles for Enhanced Two-Photon Fluorescence Imaging and Photodynamic Cancer Therapy” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2017, 9, 11780-11789.
Z. Dai, H. M. Leung, P. K. Lo. “Stimuli-Responsive Self-Assembled DNA Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications” Small 2017, 13, 1602881.
Z. Dai, Q. Gao, M. C. Cheung, H. M. Leung, T. C. K. Lau, H. F. Sleiman, K. W. C. Lai, P. K. Lo. “A Highly Versatile Platform Based on Geometrically Well-Defined 3D DNA Nanostructures for Selective Recognition and Positioning of Multiplex Targets” Nanoscale 2016, 8, 18291-18295.
M. S. Chan, D. Y. Tam, Z. Dai, L. S. Liu, J. W. Ho, M. L. Chan, D. Xu, M. S. Wong, C. Tin, P. K. Lo. “Mitochondrial Delivery of Therapeutic Agents By Amphiphilic DNA Nanocarriers” Small 2016, Vol 12, Issue 6, 770-781.
W. Liu, L. Liang, P. K. Lo, X. J. Gou, X. H. Sun. “A Double Branched Photosensitive Prodrug:Synthesis and Characterization of Light Triggered Drug Release” Tetrahedron Lett. 2016, Vol 57, Issue 8, 959-963.
Z. Wang, D. Y. Tam, A. S. Susha, M. S. Chan, S. V. Kershaw, P. K. Lo, A. L. Rogach. “Aggregation-Free DNA Nanocages/Quantum Dot Complexes Based on Electrostatic Adsorption” Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 2016, Vol 495, 62-67.
D. Y. Tam, Z. Dai, M. S. Chan, L. S. Liu, M. C. Cheung, F. Bolze, C. Tin, P. K. Lo. “A Reversible DNA Logic Gate Platform Operated by One- and Two-Photon Excitations” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, Vol 55, Issue 1, 164-168.
S. Chen., L. T. Chu, P. P. Yeung, Z. Zhao, Y. Bao, M. S. Chan, P. K. Lo, T. H. Chen. “Enzyme-Free Amplification by Nano Sticky Balls for Visual Detection of ssDNA/RNA Oligonucleotides” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2015, Vol 7, Issue 41, 22821-22830.
M. S. Chan, D. Xu, L. Guo, D. Y. Tam, L. S. Liu, Y. Chen, M. S. Wong, P. K. Lo. “Cyanine Fluorophore for Cellular Protection Against ROS in Stimulated Macrophages and Two-Photon ROS Detection” Org. Biomol. Chem., 2015, Vol 13, Issue 26, 7307-7312.
Z. Dai, D. Y. Tam, H. Xu, M. S. Chan, L. S. Liu, F, Bolze, X. H. Sun, P. K. Lo. “Conformational Change of Self-Assembled DNA Nanotubes Induced by Two-Photon Excitation” Small 2015, Vol 11, Issue 33, 4090-4096.
L. Guo, M. S. Chan, D, Xu, D. Y. Tam, F. Bolze, P. K. Lo, M. S. Wong. “Indole-based Cyanines as a Nuclear RNA-Selective Two-Photon Fluorescent Probe for Live Cell Imaging”. ACS Chem. Bio. 2015, Vol 10, Issue 5, 1171-1175.
D. Y. Tam, P. K. Lo. “Multifunctional DNA Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications”. J. Nanomater. Vol. 2015, Article ID 765492, 21 pages, 2015.
O. Sushkov, N. Chisholm, I. Lovchinsky, M. Kubo, P. K. Lo, S. D. Bennett, D. Hunger, A. Akimov, R. L. Walsworth, H. Park, M. D. Lukin. All-Optical Sensing of a Single-Molecule Electron Spin”. Nano Lett. 2014, Vol 14, Issue 11, 6443-6448.
M. S. Chan, P. K. Lo. “Nanoneedle-Assisted Delivery of Site-Selective Peptide-Functionalized DNA Nanocages for Mitochondria and Nucleus Targeting” Small 2014, Vol 10, Issue 7, 1255-1260.
D. Liu, C. Yi, K. Wang, C. C. Fong, Z. Wang, P. K. Lo, D. Sun, M. S. Yang. “Reorganization of Cytoskeleton and Transient Activation of Ca²⁺ Channels in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured on Silicon Nanowire Arrays” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2013, Vol 5, Issue 24, 13295-13304.
G. Kucsko, P. C. Maurer, N. Y. Yao, M. Kubo, H. J. Noh, P. K. Lo, H. Park, and M. D. Lukin. “Nanometer- Scale Thermometry in a Living Cell” Nature 2013, Vol 500, Issue 7460, 54-59.
W. Yang, P. S. Chan, M. S. Chan, K. F. Li, P. K. Lo, N. K. Mak, K. W. Cheah, M. S. Wong. “Two-photon fluorescence probes for imaging of mitochondria and lysosomes” Chem. Commun. 2013, Vol 49, Issue 33, 3428-3430.
C. K. Ho , S. Y. Poon, P. K. Lo, M. S. Wong , W. Y. Wong. “Synthesis, Characterization and Photophysical Properties of Metallopolyynes and Metallodiynes of Platinum(II) with Dibenzothiophene Derivatives”. Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials 2013, Vol 23, Issue 1, 206-215.
W. Yang, Y. Chen, M. S. Wong, P. K. Lo. “Reinforced Self-assembly of Donor-Acceptor π-Conjugated Molecules to DNA Templates by Dipole-Dipole Interactions Together with Complementary Hydrogen Bonding Interactions for Biomimetics". Biomacromolecules 2012, Vol 13, Issue 10, 3370-3376.
D. R. Glenn, H. Zhang, N. Kasthuri, R. Schalek, P. K. Lo, A. S. Trifonov, H. Park, J. W. Lichtman, R. L. Walsworth. "Multi-Color Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy Using Nanoparticle Cathodoluminescence” Scientific Reports, 2012, Vol 2, 865.
H. Yan, A. Florian, D. A. deBruijn, C. K. McLaughlin, P. K. Lo, H. F. Sleiman. “Chiral Metal-DNA Four-Arm Junctions and Metalated Nanotubular Structures”. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, Vol 50, Issue 20, 4620-4623.
P. K. Lo, P. Karam, F. A. Aldaye, C. K. McLaughlin, G. Hamblin, G. Cosa, H. F. Sleiman “Loading and Selective Release of Cargo in DNA Nanotubes with Longitudinal Variation”. Nature Chemistry 2010, Vol 2, Issue 4, 319-328.
P. K. Lo, K. Metera, H. F. Sleiman “Self-Assembly of Three-Dimensional DNA Nanostructures and Potential Biological Applications”. Current Opinions in Chemical Biology 2010, Vol 14, Issue 5, 597-607.
P. K. Lo, F. Altvater, H. F. Sleiman. “Templated Synthesis of DNA Nanotubes with Controlled, Predetermined Lengths”. Journal of American Chemical Society 2010, Vol 132, Issue 30, 10212-10214.
Y. Wen, C. K. McLaughlin, P. K. Lo, H. Yang, H. F. Sleiman “Stable Gold Nanoparticle Conjugation to Internal DNA Positions: Facile Generation of Discrete Gold Nanoparticle-DNA Assemblies”. Bioconjugate Chemistry 2010, Vol 21, Issue 8, 1413-1416.
P. K. Lo, H. F. Sleiman. “Nucleobase-Templated Polymerization: Copying the Chain Length and Polydispersity of Living Polymers into Conjugated Polymers”. Journal of American Chemical Society 2009, Vol 131, Issue 12, 4182-4183.
F. A. Aldaye, P. K. Lo, P. Karam, C. K. McLaughlin, G. Cosa, H. F. Sleiman “Modular Construction of DNA Nanotubes with Readily Tunable Geometry, Rigidity, and Single- or Double-Stranded Character”. Nature Nanotechnology 2009, Vol 4, Issue 6, 349-352.
P. K. Lo, F. A. Aldaye, H. F. Sleiman “Modular Construction of DNA Nanotubes of Tunable Geometry, Alternating Size, and Single- or Double-Stranded Character”. Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics 2009, Vol 26, Issue 6, 801.
Z. Q. Gao, P. F. Xia, P. K. Lo, B. X. Mi, H. L. Tam, M. S. Wong, K. W. Cheah, C. H. Chen. “ρ-Doped p-Phenylenediamine-Substituted Fluorenes for Organic Electroluminescent Devices”. Organic Electronics 2009, Vol 10, Issue 4, 666-673.
P. K. Lo, H. F. Sleiman. “Synthesis and Molecular Recognition of a Conjugated Polymer with DNA-Mimetic Properties”. Macromolecules 2008, Vol 41, Issue 15, 5590-5603.
P. K. Lo, M. S. Wong. “Extended Calix[4]arene-Based Receptors for Molecular Recognition and Sensing”. Sensors 2008, Vol 8, Issue 9, 5313-5335.
P. K. Lo, K. F. Li, M. S. Wong, K.W. Cheah. “Synthesis and Structure-Linear and Structure-Nonlinear Optical Properties of Multi-Dipolar Zigzag Oligoaryleneethynylenes”. J. Org. Chem. 2007, Vol 72, Issue 18, 6672-6629.
P. K. Lo, D. Z. Chen, Q. W. Meng, M. S. Wong. “Highly Ordered Smectic Phases from Polar Calix[4]arene Derivatives”. Chem. Mater. 2006, Vol 18, Issue 17, 3924-3930.
J. Lu, P. F. Xia, P. K. Lo, Y. Tao, M. S. Wong. “Synthesis and Properties of Multi-Triarylamine-Substituted Carbazole-Based Dendrimers with an Oligothiophene Core for Potential Applications in Organic Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes”. Chem. Mater., 2006, Vol 18, Issue 26, 6194-6203.
M. S. Wong, P. F. Xia, P. K. Lo, X. H. Sun, W. Y. Wong, S. M. Shuang. “Synthesis of Oligophenylene-Substituted Calix[4]crown-4s and Their Silver(I) Ion-Induced Nanocones Formation”. J. Org. Chem. 2006, Vol 71, Issue 3, 940-946.
M. S. Wong, P. F. Xia, X. L. Zhang, P. K. Lo, Y, -K, Cheng, K. -K. Yeung, X. Guo, S. M. Shuang. “Facile Synthesis of Oligophenylene-Substituted Calix[4]arenes and Their Enhanced Binging Properties”. J. Org. Chem, 2005, Vol 70, Issue 7, 2816-2819.

Research Positions Available

Research assistant and PhD positions are available immediately. Interested applicants should preferably have a Master's or PhD's degree with strong research background and publication record in one of the following areas: synthesis of organic or inorganic nanomaterials; self-assembly of nanostructures, bioimaging, cell biology and bionanotechnology ; or other areas related to Dr. Lo's research. Applicants should have the ability to work in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, and a high level of English, both in oral and writing.

For interested candidates, please send your CV to Dr. Peggy Lo at peggylo@cityu.edu.hk.

Peggy’s current research topics include

Design and self-assembly of DNA nanoobjects for biological functions and applications
Development of multifunctional nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Design and synthesis of biomimetic materials for gene silencing
Two-photon studies on synthetic small molecules for medical and bioanalytical research and applications