Ivy Ho, Ph.D.
Ph.D. National University of Singapore, 2005
Research Scientist

Contact Information

Molecular Neurotherapeutics Laboratory
NNI Research
National Neuroscience Institute
11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng
Singapore 308433
Tel: (65) 6357 7547
Fax: (65) 6256 9178
Email: Ivy_AW_HO@nni.com.sg

Overview

The long term goal of the laboratory is to develop innovative therapeutics for the treatment of debilitating neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease, stroke and brain cancer.

Working hand-in-hand with our clinical colleagues and the Neuro-Oncology Research Laboratory, we will initially focus on deciphering the crosstalk between tumor cells and its microenvironment, which plays critical role in tumor progression. A better understanding of this intricate interaction holds significant promise in improving treatment outcome of brain tumor patients. To this end, integrative genomic strategies, orthotopic mouse tumor model and in vivo imaging technology are some of the approaches that we will utilize.

Ultimately, our goals are to translate our findings in the laboratory into potential therapeutics for improved and personalised treatment options.

Selected Publications

1. Ho IA, Yulyana Y. Sia KC, Newman JP, Guo CM, Hui KM, Lam PY. (2014). Matrix metalloproteinase-1-mediated mesenchymal stem cell tumor tropism is dependent on crosstalk with stromal derived growth factor 1/C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 axis. FASEB J; published ahead of print June 30, 2014, doi:10.1096/fj.14-252551.
2. Yulyana Y, Endaya B, Ng WH, Guo CM, Hui KM, Lam PY, Ho IA. (2013). Carbenoxolone enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis through the upregulation of death receptor 5 and inhibition of Gap Junction Intercellular Communication. Stem Cells Dev 22(13): 1870-1882.
3. Ho IA, Lam PY. (2013). Signaling molecules and pathways involved in MSC tumor tropism. Histol Histopathol. 28(11):1427-1438.
4. Lam PY and Ho IA. (2013). Tumor trophic migration of mesenchymal stem cells.  In Khalid Shah (Ed). Stem Cell based Therapeutics for Cancer (p21-39). Wiley-Blackwell.
5. Ho IA, Toh HC, Ng WH, Teo YL, Guo CM, Hui KM, Lam PY.(2013). Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells suppress human glioma growth through inhibition of angiogenesis. Stem Cells. 31(1): 146-155.
6. Ho IA, Ng WH, Lam PY. (2010). FasL and FADD delivery by a glioma-specific and cell cycle-dependent HSV-1 amplicon virus enhanced apoptosis in primary human brain tumors. Mol Cancer 9: 270.  doi:10.1186/1476-4598-9-270.
7. Sia KC, Chong WK, Ho IA, Yulyana Y, Endaya B, Huynh H, Lam PY. (2010).   Hybrid HSV/EBV amplicon viral vectors confer enhanced transgene expression in primary human tumors and human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.  J Gene Med 12(10):848-58.
8. Ho IA, Hui KM, Lam PY. (2010). Isolation of peptide ligands that interact specifically with human glioma cells.  Peptides 31(4):644-50.
9. Ho IA*, Miao L*, Sia KC, Wang GY, Hui KM, Lam PY. (2010). Targeting human glioma cells using HSV-1 amplicon peptide display vector.  Gene Ther 17(2):250-60.
   *co-first author
10. Ho IA, Chan KY, Ng WH, Guo CM, Hui KM, Cheang P, Lam PY. (2009). Matrix metalloproteinase 1 is necessary for the migration of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells toward human glioma.  Stem Cells 27(6):1366-1375.
11. Ho IA, Chan KY, Miao L, Shim WS, Guo CM, Cheang P, Hui KM, Lam PY. (2008). Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) mediated gene transfer to human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.  Cancer Gene Ther 15(9):553-62.  Featured article.
12. Shim WS, Ho IA, Wong PE. (2007). Angiopoietin: A TIE(d) Balance in Tumor Angiogenesis. Mol Can Res 5(7): 655-665
13. Lam PY, Sia KC, Khong JH, De Geest B, Lim KS, Ho IA, Wang GY, Miao LV, Huynh H, Hui KM. (2007). An efficient and safe Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 amplicon vector for transcriptionally targeted therapy of human hepatocellular carcinomas. Mol Ther 15(6):1129-1136.
14. Wang GY, Ho IA, Sia KC, Miao L, Hui KM, Lam PY. (2007). Engineering of an improved cell cycle regulatable HSV-1 amplicon vector with enhanced transgene expression in proliferating cells yet attenuated activities in resting cells. Hum Gene Ther 18:222-231.
15. Tan K, Cheang P, Ho IA, Lam PY, Hui KM. (2007). Nano-sized bio-ceramic particles could function as efficient gene delivery vehicles with target specificity for the spleen.  Gene Ther 14(10):828-835.
16. Sia KC, Wang GY, Ho IA, Khor HY, Miao L, Hui KM, Lam PY. (2007). Optimal purification method for herpes-based viral vectors that confers minimal cytotoxicity for systemic route of vector administration.  J Virol Methods 139:166-74.
17. Ho IA, Hui KM, Lam PY. (2006). Targeting proliferating tumor cells via the transcriptional control of therapeutic genes.  Cancer Gene Ther 13: 44-52.
18. Ho IA, Lam PY, Hui KM.  (2004). Identification and characterization of novel human glioma-specific peptides to potentiate tumor-specific gene delivery.  Hum Gene Ther 15(8): 719-732.
19. Ho IA, Hui KM, Lam PY. (2004). Glioma-specific and cell cycle-regulated Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 amplicon viral vector.  Hum Gene Ther 15(5): 495-508.