Kam W. Leong

Image of Kam W. Leong

James B. Duke Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Professor Leong's research interest focuses on biomaterials design, particularly for synthesis of nanoparticles for gene and immunotherapy, and nanofibers for regenerative medicine applications.

Biomaterials Design:

  • design of self-assembled fibers for tissue engineering
  • synthesis of new biodegradable polymers and new polyelectrolytes for drug and gene delivery applied to tissue engineering
  • synthesis of thermosensitive hydrogels for tissue engineering

Controlled Drug and Gene Delivery:

  • oral gene delivery for hemophilia A and B
  • non-viral gene delivery to the GI tract, bladder, and CNS
  • oral delivery of antigen genes for vaccination

Tissue Engineering:

  • study of interaction of stem cells with biofunctional polymeric surface
  • expansion of hematopoietic stem cells
  • nerve guidance channels with drug and gene delivery functions
  • microencapsulation of stem cells and genetically-engineered cells
  • development of bioartificial nucleus pulposus device
  • study of interaction of SMC and neuronal stem cells with synthetic nanostructured biomaterials

Contact Information:
  • Office Location: 1395 CIEMAS
  • Office Phone: (919) 660-8466
  • Email Address: Email address for Kam W. Leong
Education:

PhDUniversity of Pennsylvania1987
PostdocMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)1985
BSUniversity of California1977

Curriculum Vitae
Research Interests:

Leong's research interest focuses on biomaterials design, particularly on synthesis of nanoparticles for DNA-based therapeutics, and nanostructured biomaterials for regenerative medicine.

Specialties:

Biological Materials
Drug Delivery
Tissue Repair, Tissue Engineering
Biophotonics
Nanoscience

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions:

  • National Academy of Engineering
  • Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award
  • 3M Pharmaceuticals Recognition Award, Controlled Release Society
  • Award for Recognition of Pioneering Contribution in Polymer chemistry and Bioomedical Engineering, Chinese-American Chemical Society
  • Capsugel Award on Innovative Aspects of Controlled Release Research, Controlled Release Society
  • Cygnus Recognition Award, Controlled Release Society
  • Excellence in Guidance of Graduate Student Research, Controlled Release Society
  • Jorge Heller Manuscript Award, Journal of Controlled Release
  • Proctor & Gamble Recognition Award, Controlled Release Society
  • Young Investigator Research Achievement Award, Controlled Release Society

Courses Taught:
  • BME 590.02 - ADVANCED TOPICS

Representative Publications: (More Publications)
    • Ho, Y. P. and Leong, K. W., Quantum dot-based theranostics, Nanoscale, vol 2 no. 1 (2010), pp. 60-68 [abs].
    • Yim, E. K. F. and Darling, E. M. and Kulangara, K. and Guilak, F. and Leong, K. W., Nanotopography-induced changes in focal adhesions, cytoskeletal organization, and mechanical properties of human mesenchymal stem cells, Biomaterials, vol 31 no. 6 (2010), pp. 1299-1306 [abs].
    • Chen, S. and Jones, J. A. and Xu, Y. and Low, H. Y. and Anderson, J. M. and Leong, K. W., Characterization of topographical effects on macrophage behavior in a foreign body response model, Biomaterials, vol 31 no. 13 (2010), pp. 3479-91 [abs].
    • Chen, H. H. and Ho, Y. P. and Jiang, X. and Mao, H. Q. and Wang, T. H. and Leong, K. W., Simultaneous non-invasive analysis of DNA condensation and stability by two-step QD-FRET, Nano Today, vol 4 no. 2 (2009), pp. 125-134 [abs].
    • Oney, S. and Lam, R. T. S. and Bompiani, K. M. and Blake, C. M. and Quick, G. and Heidel, J. D. and Liu, J. Y. C. and Mack, B. C. and Davis, M. E. and Leong, K. W. and Sullenger, B. A., Development of universal antidotes to control aptamer activity, Nature Medicine, vol 15 no. 10 (2009), pp. 1224-1228 [abs].