Techung Lee PhD

Techung Lee

Techung Lee
PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Biochemistry

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Cell growth, differentiation and development; Gene Expression; Molecular Basis of Disease; Signal Transduction

Contact Information
351 BRB
3435 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14214
Phone: (716) 8293106
Fax: (716) 8293106
chunglee@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

Research in my laboratory has been focused on molecular signaling mechanisms in fatty liver pathogenesis and heart failure. These processes are mediated by several cross-talk pathways involving intracellular and extracellular mediators such as Wnts, sFRPs, VEGF, JAK/STAT3, and phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI). We have explored the immunomodulatory property of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in our cell transplantation studies, and found that MSCs improve cardiac function in the porcine myocardial ischemia and hamster heart failure models. We have identified secreted PGI as a diagnostic biomarker for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and developed a robust PGI enzyme assay method for NAFLD detection. My long-term goal is to generate clinically relevant strategies that may be used for disease diagnosis and therapy for a broad spectrum of human diseases. In addition to the research endeavor, my laboratory maintains Biomedical Research Service (www.bmrservice.com) that provides innovative reagents for the life science community and pharmaceutical industry.

Education and Training:

  • PhD, Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University (1989)
  • MS, M.S. in Biochemistry, National Taiwan University (1983)
  • BS, Botany, National Taiwan University (1981)

Employment:

  • Associate Professor, Biochemistry, SUNY at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1999-present)
  • Assistant Professor, Biochemistry, SUNY at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1993-present)
  • Research Associate, Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (1990-present)
  • Instructor, Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (1992)

Awards and Honors:

  • Siegel Teaching Recognition (2020)
  • Siegel Teaching Recognition (2018)
  • Siegel Teaching Award (2013)
  • STOR Recognition (2013)
  • STOR Recognition (2010)
  • Siegel Teaching Recognition (2004)

Research Expertise:

  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Human metabolism and nutrition

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • February 2024–January 2028
    Poly(I:C) Drug Repurposing and SFRP-2 Gene Therapy in Tooth Regeneration
    Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $470,400

Patents:

  • Stem cell material and method of use A method to immortalize bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (2011)

Abstracts:

  • Camila Sabatini, Richard Hall, Techung Lee. (2024) Novel Odontogenic Potential of Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 2 (sFRP2). American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research. New Orleans, Louisiana (Mar) Poster
  • Camila Sabatini, Richard Hall, Techung Lee. (2023) Human Aging and the Regenerative Potential of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs). JSMBS Aging Symposium. Buffalo, New York (Dec) Poster

Presentations:

  • "Induction of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in NASH and regulation of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) by TIMPs" AASLD; AASLD; Basic science (2020)
  • "Liver enzyme activity profile-based discovery of serum biomarkers for NASH in mice" AASLD; AASLD; Basic science (2019)
  • "Upregulation of non-canonical Wnt ligands and oxidative glucose metabolism in NASH induced by methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet" AASLD; AASLD; Basic science (2018)
  • "MMP7 and relevant chemokines in NASH" AASLD; AASLD; Basic science (2017)
  • "Secreted Frizzled Receptor proteins and liver fibrosis in Non alcoholic fatty liver disease" AASLD; AASLD; Basic science (2016)
  • "Skeletal muscle injection of plasmid VEGF165 improves myocardial flow and function in swine with hibernating myocardium" conference; American Heart Association (2002)
  • "Intracoronary administration of AdvFGF-5 improves resting function but does not alter myocardial perfusion during adenosine vasodilation in hibernating myocardium" Conference; American Heart Association (2001)
  • "Hypoxic Response in Cardiomyocytes" Conference; Great Lakes Muscle Symposium (2001)
  • "Positron emission tomography reveals viability and revascularization of cell patch cardiomyoplasty" Conference; American College of Chest Physicians (2001)
  • "Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and selective calcium-mediated proteolysis of cardiac troponin I. Scientific Conference on molecular, cellular, and integrated physiological approaches to the failing heart" Conference; American Heart Association (1999)
  • "Pharmacological preconditioning and selective degradation of contractile proteins associated with simulated hypoxia-induced apoptosis of cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes" Conference; European Heart House (1998)
  • ". Proteolytic regulation of the zinc finger factor YY1, a repressor of myogenic transcription" Conference; ASBMB (1997)
  • ". Analysis of events associated with serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in muscle satellite cells" Conference; ASBMB (1996)
See all (3 more)

Service Activities:

  • I served as Annual Biochemistry Research Day poster judge.; BCH research day poster judge (2023–present)
  • Manuscript reviewer for Stem Cell Research and Therapy Journal; ad hoc reviewer (2023)
  • Manuscript reviewer for Research Square Organization; ad hoc reviewer for Research Square Organization (2023)
  • JSMBS Faculty council; Member (2023)
  • Department of Biochemistry Undergraduate Education Committee; Member (2023)
  • JSMBS Phase I committee; Member (2023)
  • JSMBS M.D. Thesis committee; Member (2023)
  • My reagent service center has made a good reputation for the University over the years. Several dozens of publications have cited University at Buffalo for the use of my service center reagents.; Research reagent provider (2023)
  • Biomedical Research Service Center is now officially on UB Marketplace, providing reagents for the broad life science research community. The annual revenue is about $50,000, which is used to fund research operation.; Research reagents supplier for UB Marketplace (2023)

School News:

In the Media:


Clinical Specialties:

Clinical Offices:

Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

351 BRB
3435 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14214
Phone: (716) 8293106
Fax: (716) 8293106
chunglee@buffalo.edu