Curriculum Vitae

ASSOCIATE PROF. DR. ONG KIEN CHAI

Associate Professor
  • Department of Biomedical Science
    Faculty of Medicine
  • +603-79674799

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • VIROLOGY

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • PhD(UM)2008, (Virology, Immunohistochemistry, in Situ Hybridization, Laboratory Animals Handling)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)
  • BBMedSc(Hons)(UKM)(2002), (Sains Bioperubatan)
    Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Head
    03 Jan 2023 - present (Laboratory Animal Centre, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Quality Manager
    21 Oct 2009 - present (Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Head
    01 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2022 (Laboratory Animal Centre, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Head
    01 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2020 (Laboratory Animal Centre, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Head
    01 Sep 2017 - 31 Dec 2019 (Laboratory Animal Centre, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Head
    01 Sep 2015 - 31 Aug 2017 (Laboratory Animal Centre, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Head
    01 Sep 2013 - 31 Aug 2015 (Laboratory Animal Centre, Faculty of Medicine)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • PERSATUAN SAINS BIOPERUBATAN MALAYSIA, MEMBER
    Since 2018 (National)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • The Champion of Poster Presentation (Therapeutic and Diagnostic Category) in the 10th Malaysian Symposium of Biomedical Science.
    School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. , 2019 (National)
  • 1st Runner up of Poster Presentation (Infectious Disease Category) in the 10th Malaysian Symposium of Biomedical Science.
    School of Heath Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. , 2019 (National)
  • Advisor
    Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 2018 (National)
  • Judge
    Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. , 2018 (National)
  • Best poster presentation under the category of infectious disease, in the 9th Malaysian Symposium of Biomedical Science.
    Department of Biomedical Science, University of Malaya, 2018 (National)
  • Faculty of Medicine Award, Best Publication in Basic Neuroscience.
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. , 2018 (Ptj/ Faculty)
  • Best lecturer for Biomedical Science Session 2015/2016
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. , 2017 (Department)
  • Outstanding Poster Presentation Awards
    3rd Pan-Asian Biomedical Science Conference , 2016 (International)
  • MSN Best Publication
    Malaysian Society of Neurosciences, 2015 (National)
  • EXCELLENCE SERVICE AWARD
    University of Malaya, 2014 (University)
  • Best poster award
    Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2010 (National)

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
WoS
  1. Yap, Hui Yeng Yeannie; Kong, Boon Hong; Yap, Chee Sum Alvin; Ong, Kien Chai; Zain, Rosnah Binti; Tan, Soon Hao; Zaini, Zuraiza Mohamad; Ng, Szu Ting; Tan, Chon Seng; Fung, Shin Yee (2022). Immunomodulatory Effect and an Intervention of TNF Signalling Leading to Apoptotic and Cell Cycle Arrest on ORL-204 Oral Cancer Cells by Tiger Milk Mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerus, FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY. 60(1), 80-88. doi:10.17113/ftb.60.01.22.7296
Others
  1. Hooi YT, Ong KC, Tan SH, Perera D, Wong KT. 2020. Coxsackievirus A16 in a 1-Day-Old Mouse Model of Central Nervous System Infection Shows Lower Neurovirulence than Enterovirus A71. J. Comp. Path. 176: 19-32.
  2. Hooi, Y.T., Ong, K.C., Tan, S.H., Perera D, Wong, K.T. 2020. A novel orally infected hamster model for Coxsackievirus A16 hand-foot-and-mouth disease and encephalomyelitis. Lab Invest 100, 1262 1275
  3. Nallappan, D., Ong, K. C., Palanisamy, U. D., Chua, K. H., & Kuppusamy, U. R. (2020). Myricetin derivative-rich fraction from Syzygium malaccense prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance and oxidative stress in C57BL/6J mice. Archives of physiology and biochemistry, 1-12.
  4. Yu SP, Ong KC, Tan SH, Perera D, Wong KT. 2020. Japanese encephalitis virus: Biological clones from a clinical isolate quasispecies show differing neurovirulence in vitro and in a mouse model. Neurology Asia; 25 (3): 279-284.
  5. Polymorphisms in the androgen receptor CAG repeat sequence are related to tumour stage but not to ERG or androgen receptor expression in Malaysian men with prostate cancer
  6. Tee HK, Tan CW, Yogarajah T, Lee MHP, Chai HJ, Hanapi NA, Yusof SR, Ong KC, Lee VS, Sam IC, Chan YF. 2019. Electrostatic interactions at the five-fold axis alter heparin-binding phenotype and drive enterovirus A71 virulence in mice. PLoS Pathog. 2019 Nov 15;15(11):e1007863.
  7. Yee PTI, Tan SH, Ong KC, Tan KO, Wong KT, Hassan SS, Poh CL. 2019. Development of live attenuated Enterovirus 71 vaccine strains that confer protection against lethal challenge in mice. Sci Rep. 9(1):4805.
  8. Yu SP, Ong KC, Perera D, Wong KT. 2018. Neuronal transcriptomic responses to Japanese encephalitis virus infection with a special focus on chemokine CXCL11 and pattern recognition receptors RIG-1 and MDA5. Virology, 527:107-115.
  9. NikNadia N, Tan CW, Ong KC, Sam IC, Chan YF. Identification and characterization of neutralization epitopes at VP2 and VP1 of enterovirus A71. Journal of Medical Virology 2018; 90(6): 1164-1167. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25061.
  10. Tan JSJ, Ong KC, Ong DBL, Razack A, Lim J, Yunus R, Sundram M, Rhodes A.(2018). Heterogenous expression of ERG oncoprotein in Malaysian men with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Malays J Pathol. 40(2): 103-110.
  11. Yogarajah T, Ong KC, Perera D, Wong KT. 2018. RSAD2 and AIM2 Modulate Coxsackievirus A16 and Enterovirus A71 Replication in Neuronal Cells in Different Ways That May Be Associated with Their 5' Nontranslated Regions. J Virol. 92: E01914-17.
  12. Jindal HM, Zandi K, Ong KC, Velyuthan RV, Rasid SM, Raju CS, Sekaran SD. 2017. Mechanisms of action and in vivo antibacterial efficacy assessment of five novel hybrid peptides derived from Indilicidin and Ranalexin against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Peer J.
  13. Khosravi Y, Gan MH, Chia PJY, Croft LJ, Ng CG, Goh KL, Vellasamy KM, Mariappan V, Ong KC, Wong KT, Loke MF, Vadivelu J. 2017. The gastric microbiome of four Malaysian gastroduodenal diseases patients. Gene and Genome Research. 1: 1-9.
  14. Phyu WK, Ong KC, Wong KT. 2017. Modelling person-to-person transmission in an Enterovirus A71 orally infected hamster model of hand-foot-and-mouth disease and encephalomyelitis. Emerging Microbes & Infections, 6: e62.
  15. Yogarajah T, Ong KC, Perera D, Wong KT. 2017. AIM2 inflammasome-mediated pyrotosis in Enterovirus A71 infected neuronal cells restricts viral replication. Scientific Reports.
  16. Yogarajah T, Ong KC, Perera D, Wong KT. 2017. Enterovirus A71 and Coxsackievirus A16 show different replication kinetics in human neuronal and non-neuronal cell lines. Archives Virology. 162: 727-737.
  17. Chow TK, Eu LC, Chin KF, Ong KC, Pailoor J, Vadivelu J, Wong KT. 2016. Case report: Incidental splenic granuloma due to Burkholderia pseudomallei: A case of asymatic latent meliodosis? Am. J. Trop. Hyg, 94: 522-524.
  18. Fu TL, Ong KC, Tran YD, McLean CA, Wong KT. 2016. Viral neuronotropism is important in the pathogenesis of Murray Valley encephalitis. Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology. 42: 307-310.
  19. Phyu WK, Ong KC, Wong KT. 2016. A consistently orally-infected hamster model for Enterovirus A71 encephalomyelitis demonstrates squamous lesions in the paws, skin and oral cavity reminiscent of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease. PLOS ONE 11(1): e0147463. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone 0147463
  20. Tan JSJ, Ong KC & Rhodes A (2016). The role of heat shock proteins and glucose regulated proteins in cancer. Malaysia J Pathology 38(2), 75-82.
  21. Tan SH, Ong KC, Perera D, Wong KT. 2016. A monoclonal antibody to ameliorate central nervous system infection and improve survival in a murine model of human Enterovirus-A71 encephalomyelitis. Antiviral Research. 132: 196-203.
  22. Chiam CW, Chan YF, Ong KC, Wong KT, Sam IC. 2015. Neurovirulence comparison of chikungunya virus isolates of the Asia and East/Central/South African genotypes from Malaysia. J Gen Virol. 96: 3243-3254.
  23. Fu TL, Ong KC, Wong KT. 2015. Pathological findings in a mouse model of Japanese encephalitis infected via the foot pad. Neurology Asia, 20: 349-354.
  24. Hooi YT, Ong KC, Perera D, Wong KT. 2015. Pathological findings in a mouse model for Coxsackievirus A16 infection. Neurology Asia, 20: 343-347.
  25. Liu L, Mo Z, Liang Z, Zhang Y, Li R, Ong KC, Wong KT, Yang E, Che Y, Wang J, Dong C, Feng M, Pu J, Wang L, Liao Y, Jiang L, Tan SH, David P, Huang T, Zhou Z, Wang X, Xia J, Guo L, Wang L, Xie Z, Cui W, Mao Q, Liang Y, Zhao H, Na R, Cui P, Shi H, Wang J, Li Q. 2015. Immunity and clinical efficacy of an inactivated enterovirus 71 vaccine in healthy Chinese children: a report of further observations. BMC Med, 13: 226.
  26. Ong KC, Wong KT. 2015. Understanding Enterovirus 71 neuropathogensis and its impact on other neurotropic enteroviruses. Brain Pathol 25:614-24.
  27. Ong KC, Wong KT. Henipavirus encephalitis: Recent developments and advances. Brain Pathology 2015; 25: 605-613
  28. Tan LV, Tuyen NTK, Tan TT, Ngan TT, Van HMT, Sabanathan S, Van TTM, Thanh LTM, Nguyet LA, Geoghegan JL, Ong KC, Perera D, Hang VTT, Ny NTH, Anh NT, Ha DQ, Qui PT, Viet DC, Tuan HM, Wong KT, Holmes EC, Chau NVV, Thwaites G, van Doorn HR. A generic assay for whole-genome amplification and deep sequencing of enteroviurs A71. Journal of Virological Methods 2015; 215-216: 30-36
  29. Thanh TT, Anh NT, Tham NT, Van HMT, Sabanathan S, Qui PT, Ngan TT, Van TTM, Nguyet LA, Ny NTH, Than LTM, Chai OK, Perera D, Viet DC, Khan TH, Ha DQ, Tuan HM, Wong KT, Hung NT, Chau NVV, Thwaites G, van Doorn HR, Tan LV. Validation and utilization of an internally controlled multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of enteroviruses and enterovirus 71 associated hand foot and mouth disease. Virology Journal 2015; 12:85, doi 10.1186/s12985-015-0316-2
  30. Eu LC, Ong KC, Hiu J, Vadivelu J, Nathan S, Wong KT. In situ hybridization to detect and identify Burkholderia pseudomallei in human melioidosis. Modern Pathology 2014; 27: 657-664
  31. He Y, Ong KC, Gao Z, Zhao X, Anderson VM, McNutt MA, Wong KT, Lu M. Tonsillar crypt epithelium is an important extracentral nervous system site for viral replication in EV71 encephalomyelitis. American Journal of Pathology 2014; 184: 714-720
  32. Tan SH, Ong KC, Wong KT. Enterovirus 71 can directly infected the brainstem via cranial nerves and infection can be ameliorated by passive immunization. Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology 2104; 73: 999-1008
  33. Fujii K, Nagata N, Sato Y, Ong KC, Wong KT, Yamayoshi S, Shimanuki M, Shitara H, Taya C, Koike S. 2013. Transgenic mouse model for the study of enterovirus 71 neuropathogenesis. PNAS, 110: 14753-14758.
  34. Jessie, K., Jayapalan, J. J., Ong, K. C., Rahim, Z. H. A., Zain, R. M., Wong, K. T. and Hashim, O. H. (2013) Aberrant proteins in the saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Electrophoresis, 34, 2495- 2502.
  35. Lee SH, Tang YQ, Rathkrishnan A, Wang SM, Ong KC, Manikam R, Payne BJ, Jaganath IB, Sekaran SD. 2013. Effects of cocktail of four local Malaysian Medicinal plants (Phyllanthus spp.) against dengue virus 2. BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 13: 192.
  36. Ploquin A, Szecsi J, Mathieu C, Guillaume V, Barateau V, Ong KC, Wong KT, Cosset FL, Horvat B, Salvetti A. 2013. Protection against Henipavirus infection by use of recombinant adeno-associated virus-vector vaccines. J Infect Dis, 207: 469-78.
  37. Ch'ng WC, Stanbridge EJ, Wong KT, Ong KC, Yusoff K, Shafee N. 2012. Immunization with recombinant enterovirus 71 viral capsid protein 1 fragment stimulated antibody responses in hamsters. Virol J, 9:155.
  38. Mathieu C, Guillaume V, Sabine A, Ong KC, Wong KT, Legras-Lachuer C, Horvat B. 2012. Lethal Nipah Virus infection induces rapid overexpression of CXCL10. PLos One, 7: e32157.
  39. Wong KT, Ng KY, Ong KC, Ng WF, Shankar SK, Mahadevan A, Radotra B, Su IJ, Lau G, Ling AE, Chan KP, Macorelless P, Vallet S, Cardosa MJ, Desai A, Ravi V, Nagata N, Shimizu H, Takasaki T. 2012. Enterovirus 71 encephalomyelitis and Japanese encephalitis can be distinguished by topographic distribution of inflammation and specific intraneuronal detection of viral antigen and RNA. Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology. 38: 443-53.
  40. Ch'ng WC, Stanbridge EJ, Ong KC, Wong KT, Yussof K, Shafee N. 2011. Partial Protection Against Enterovirus 71 (EV71) Infection in a Mouse Model Immunized With recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus Capsids Displaying the EV71 VP1 Fragment. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY. 83: 1783-91.
  41. Wong KT & Ong KC. 2011. Pathology of acute henipavirus infection in humans and animals. Pathology Research International, 2011: 567248.
  42. Ong KC, Devi S, Cardosa MJ, Wong KT. 2010.Formaldehyde- inactivated whole-virus vaccine protects a murine model of enterovirus 71. J. Virol. 84: 661-5.
Books
  1. Umah RP, Sabrina S, Norfadilah R, Pim CD, Mohd Aziz, Mohd Arifin, Lim BH, Ong KC. 2011. Future direction of Biomedical Science Programme in Malaysia, 2011. Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. Shah Alam: University Publication Centre.
Article in Proceeding
  1. Ong KC, Teo WL, Tun SH, Wong KT. 2010. Entemvirus 71 infection in the mouse and hamster as models for viral myositis studies. The 9th Annual Asian and Oceanian Myology Center (AOMC) Scientific Meeting. KOREAN JOURNAL OF NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS, Supplement 1 March 2010, page: 39.
  2. Ong KC, Devi S, Cardosa MJ, Wong KT. Formaldehyde-inactivated whole virus vaccine protects a murine model of Enterovirus 71 Encephalomyelitis against infection. Proceeding of the DUKE-NUS Emerging Infectious Diseases Inauguration Symposium, 8-11 December 2009, page 138, DUKE-NUS Medical School, Singapore.

PAPER PRESENTED

ORAL PRESENTER
  1. Pathology and Pathogenesis of Enterovirus 71 infection. , Symposium "Current progress in Enterovirus 71 research in the Asia-Pacific Region"  (International) (30 Aug 2012 - 31 Aug 2012)
  2. Generation of novel mouse model for study of EV71 neuropathogenesis. , Symposium "Current Progress in Enterovirus 71 Research in The Asia-Pacific Region". (30 Aug 2012 - 31 Aug 2012)
POSTER PRESENTER
  1. Tonsillar crypt epithelium is an important extra-central nervous system site for viral replication in EV71 encephalomyelitis. , Emerging Infectious Diseases in SEA (Others) (11 Mar 2014 - 12 Mar 2014)
  2. HSCARB2-dependent neural pathway for EV71 transmission. , Europic, 18 International Picornavirus Meeting (International) (09 Mar 2014 - 14 Mar 2014)
  3. Application of a probe specific to the 16s ribosomal RNA of Burkholderia pseudomallei to study infectious disease pathology and spread in an acute melioidosis mouse model. , 7th World Meliodosis Congress 2013 (International) (18 Sep 2013 - 20 Sep 2013)
  4. Cranial nerves are involved in viral entry into the brainstem in a mouse model of Enterovirus 71 encephalomyelitis, 10th European Congress of Neuropathology, British Neuropathological Society (International) (06 Jun 2012 - 09 Jun 2012)
  5. Cellular targets of virus infection in human rabies, 10th European Congress of Neuropathology (International) (06 Jun 2012 - 09 Jun 2012)
  6. Enterovirus 71 and Japanese encephalitides can be distinguished by the distribution of inflammation and intraneuronal detection of viral antigen and RNA. , 10th European Congress of Neuropathology, British Neuropathological Society (International) (06 Jun 2012 - 09 Jun 2012)
  7. Neurovirulence variation of different Chikungunya virus genotypes in ICR suckling mice , 16th Biological Sciences Graduate Congress (International) (12 Dec 2011 - 13 Dec 2011)
  8. Ubiquitin in Enterovirus 71 DNA vaccine enhances cellular immune response in mice., 1st National Postgraduate Conference in Molecular Medicine 2011., Universiti Sains Malaysia, INFORMM, UMB (National) (13 Apr 2011 - 14 Apr 2011)
  9. Protective efficacy evaluation of NPt-VP1 1-100 protein as a candidate vaccine against enterovirus 71 infections in mouse model, 5th National Infectious Diseases Seminar and Workshop 2010, University of Putra Malaysia (National) (22 Nov 2010 - 22 Dec 2010)
  10. Formaldehyde-inactivated whole virus vaccine protects a murine model of Enterovirus 71 Encephalomyelitis against infection., DUKE-NUS Emerging Infectious Diseases Inauguration Symposium, DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore (International) (08 Dec 2009 - 11 Dec 2009)
PRESENTER
  1. Enterovirus 71 infection in the mouse and hamster as models for viral myositis studies, The 9th Annual Asian and Oceanian Myology Center (AOMC) Scientific Meeting (International) (01 May 2010)

ACADEMIC/PROF. SERVICES

Evaluation
  1. (2015) Vaccine, (Reviewer)
  2. (2015) Vaccine, (Reviewer)
  3. (2015) BMC Microbiology, (Reviewer)
  4. (2015) The Quansispecies of EV-71 in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Patients during the 2003 Sibu, Sarawak Outbreak. , (External Examiner)
  5. (2015) Genomic Approach To Understand Epidemic Potential of Enterovirus 71 (EV71). , (External Examiner)
  6. (2014) Cellular Proteome Alterations in Response to Enterovirus 71 and Coxsackievirus A16 infections in Neuronal and Intestinal cell lines. , (Internal Examiner)
  7. (2014) Microbiology & Immunology, (Reviewer)
  8. (2014) Science Translation Medicine, (Reviewer)
  9. (2010) Journal: Vaccine , (Reviewer)
  10. Penilaian pratikum hari keusahawan dan pembentangan pratikum keusahawanan-Fasa II dan FasaIIIA, Semester II MED dan Semester II MEB pada 14-15 Oktober 2009

SUPERVISION

Postgraduate Student
PhD/ Doctoral
  1. (2018) In Vivo and In Vitro Pathogenesis Studies of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection., FU TZEH LONG
  2. (2018) Expression of the oncogene ERG (v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog) and activation of the androgen receptor in prostate cancer, TAN JIA SHIN JESSICA
  3. (2018) Coxsackeivirus A16 and Enterovirus 71 Infection: Pathogenetic Studies Using In Vivo and In Vitro Infection Models., HOOI YUAN TENG
  4. (2016) Neuronal Injury in Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection., YU SHU PIN
  5. (2016) In Vivo and In Vitro Pathogenesis Studies of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection., FU TZEH LONG
  6. (2016) Investigation of neuronal cell-virus interactions in Enterovirus A71 and Coxsackievirus A16 infections., THINESSHWARY YOGARAJAH
  7. (2016) Enterovirus A71 Squamous Epitheliotropism and Infection in a Hamster Model and Human Organotypic and Primary Squamous Cell Culture Systems., PHYU WIN KYAW
  8. (2015) Viral Transmission, Neuropathogenesis and Therapeutic Antibody Studies in a Murine Model of Enterovirus 71 Encephalomyelitis., TAN SOON HAO