Chen Wang

Research Synopsis

Our research is focused on lymphocyte proliferative disorders. We have identified a novel diagnostic entity of clonal B lymphocytosis and chromosomal translocation t(2;7) linking CDK6 to IGK locus in B-cell neoplasia. As part of NSERC Strategic network, we have been developing nanoparticle probes for targeting leukemia cells.

Molecular and cellular mechanisms of lymphoproliferative disorders. We contributed to the characterization of clonal B lymphocytosis as a novel diagnostic entity. We are focused on clinical, phenotypical, molecular and cytogenetic features of the non-CLL type clonal lymphocytosis of undetermined significance and clonal progression from benign lymphocytosis to clinical malignancies. We perform immunophenotypic study and demonstrated essential CD5 expression to separate it from chronic lymphocytic leukemia and largely clarified the controversy on CD5- atypical CLL. Our findings contributed to the guideline for diagnosis of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis.

Identification of chromosomal translocation t(2;7) breakpoints linking CDK6 to IGK locus in indolent B-cell neoplasia.  The results from a series of patients with t(2;7) revealed a consistent junction between the IGK variable gene Vk3 family with an upstream region of CDK6. The overlap of molecular genetics demonstrates a common mechanism of dysregulation of CDK6 in B-cell oncogenesis. 

Using multiplex PCR-based clonality assays for Ig H gene rearrangements for detection of minimal residual leukemia and lymphoma cells, and bi-clonal identification of mixed chronic lymphocytic leukemia and prolymphocytic leukemia, and sensitive detection of minimal cell population of B-cell lymphoma.   

Nanoparticle-antibody conjugates for hematology and leukemia analysis. We have provided the first demonstration of quantum dot -based probes for labeling and cellular imaging of hematopoietic cells.  Since 2008, as part of NSERC Strategic network for Bioplasmonic systems, we have been developing and testing surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) gold nanoparticles for targeting leukemia cell surface markers.

Selected Publications

Parker E, Siebert R, Oo TH, Schneider D, Hayette S, Wang C. Sequencing of t(2;7) translocations reveals a consistent breakpoint linking CDK6 to the IGK locus in indolent B-cell neoplasia. J Moleuclar Diagnostics. 2012

Zheng Y, Shojaei-Baghini E, Azad A, Wang C, Sun Y. High-throughput biophysical measurement of human red blood cells. Lab on a Chip, 2012

MacLaughlin C, Parker E, Walker G, Wang C. Evaluation of SERS labeling of CD20 using optical microscopy and fluorescence flow cytometry. Nanomedicine, 2012

Anderson NM, Berberovic Z, Berndlb E, Baileye ML, Flenniken AM, Osborne LR, Adamson L, Rossant J, Wang C, Minden MD, McNagny KM, Paulson RF, Barber DL, Stanford WL. Cytopenia induction by 5-fluorouracil identifies thrombopoietic mutants in sensitized ENU mutagenesis screens. Experimental Hematology 40:48–60, 2012

Cao F, Amato D, Wang  C. Concurrent chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) derived from two separate B-cell clones. Am J Hematol. 86(9):782, 2011

Parker E, MacDonald JR, Wang C. Molecular characterization of a t(2;7) translocation linking CDK6 to the IGK locus in CD5- monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), Caner Genetics, 204:260-264, 2011

Hughes MR, Anderson N, Maltby S, Wong J, Berberovic Z, Birkenmeier CS, Haddon DJ, Garcha K, Flenniken A, Osborne LR, Adamson SL, Rossant J, Peters LL, Minden MD, Paulson RF, Wang C, Barber DL, McNagny KM, Stanford WL A novel ENU-generated truncation mutation lacking the spectrin-binding and C-terminal regulatory domains of Ank1 models severe, hemolytic hereditary spherocytosis. Exp Hematol. 39(3):305-20, 2011

Dorrepaal S, Margolin EA, Wang C. Bilateral pseudohypopyon as a presenting feature of recurrent diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. J Neuro-Ophthalmol 30:67-69, 2010

Collin T Nguyen CT, James T Nguyen JT, Rutledge S, Zheng J, Wang C, Walker G: Detection of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell surface markers using surface enhanced Raman scattering gold nanoparticles. Cancer Letters, 292:91-97, 2010